By:
Kris

Source(s):
Ami Neiberger-Miller (703) 887-4877

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—As the Florida Legislature convenes this week for a special session, 219 teen 4-H members from 39 counties are holding their own legislative session across the courtyard in the Old Capitol. With state legislators in town, 4-H members will have an opportunity to observe the legislature in action and communicate with elected representatives.

“Due to the special legislative session, we moved our event to the Old Capitol,” said Ami Neiberger-Miller, one of the adults advising the youth-driven event. “With the change comes an excellent opportunity for our youth to see how the ‘real’ legislature works and to meet with their representatives.”

She said the Old Capitol has been restored to its original 1902 condition, the same year 4-H was founded, and moving the 4-H legislative session to the Old Capitol is just one of several changes for the annual event. Convening for its 31st session, Florida 4-H Legislature will open as a bicameral legislature for the first time.

“With both a house and senate in session, teen legislators, lobbyists and reporters will debate a variety of issues and learn how the government works,” Neiberger-Miller said. “Also new this year, Florida 4-H Legislature will conduct business with an acting governor, lieutenant governor and cabinet.”

Following the opening session on Tuesday, 4-H legislators will break into committee meetings before debating bills that go to committees on Wednesday and Thursday. Bills that are successful in both chambers will be signed or vetoed by Natalie Cheng of Palm Beach County, the elected “4-H governor” for the 2003 4-H legislative session.

“Some may be surprised to learn not all the bills relate to agriculture,” Neiberger-Miller said. “While the agriculture committee’s roster of bills includes topics such as aerial pesticide application, hunting licenses and livestock growth hormones, many other topics will receive attention from the young legislators and lobbyists. 4-H’ers will discuss raising the legal age for alcohol consumption to 25, falsifying company records, monthly student drug tests, road racing and more.”

The Florida 4-H Legislature program was organized by the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida. A youth organizing committee has worked steadily on bills and logistics with UF advisers since September 2002. Youth play key roles throughout the event, helping with registration, running meetings, leading charges to kill or support bills and setting up an experimental party system.

“Partnering with young people to plan programs is very important to 4-H,” said Marilyn Norman, state 4-H leader at UF in Gainesville.

Throughout the planning, debates and bill writing, organizers say teens are learning to be engaged citizens. Norman said many “4-H legislators” take their responsibilities as citizens to vote seriously and some go on to careers in government. U.S. Congressman Adam Putnam, who participated in the 4-H Legislature program in his teens, is now the youngest member of the U.S. Congress.

Youth attendees are from Alachua, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Desoto, Duval, Escambia, Hendry, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Lucie, Sumter, Taylor, Volusia and Washington counties.

The 4-H Youth Development Program is administered by UF’s Cooperative Extension Service. Last year 4-H worked with more than 271,000 youth ages 5-18 in Florida’s 67 counties and on five Seminole Tribes reservations in South Florida. For more information visit http://www.florida4h.org or contact the county extension office in your area.

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