LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 65th Anniversary of the Tri-
Valley Future Farmers of America Chapter on June 10, 2016

WHEREAS, The agricultural industry is part of the foundation upon which
our distinct American heritage is built; and
WHEREAS, New York State, along with the rest of the United States, is
dependent on our agricultural industry for a variety of food products;
and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to support and
promote the historic and significant observance of those agricultural
organizations which enrich this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 65th Anniversary of the Tri-Valley Future Farmers of America
Chapter to be celebrated at its Annual Banquet on Friday, June 10, 2016,
at the Neversink Fire House, Neversink, New York; and
WHEREAS, Student success remains the primary mission of Future Farmers
of America (FFA); the Tri-Valley Chapter has been active for many years,
and its students attend state and national conventions, leadership work-
shops and more; and
WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of President, Kim Doyle, the
Tri-Valley FFA Chapter has grown to be the best in the State of New
York, and one of the top in the Nation; and
WHEREAS, In 1951, Richard Strangeway founded the Tri-Valley FFA Chap-
ter for students in grades six through 12; and
WHEREAS, For over six decades, the Tri-Valley FFA has strived to make
a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their
potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success
through agricultural education; and
WHEREAS, Students whose lives are impacted by the Tri-Valley FFA and
agricultural education will achieve academic and personal growth,
strengthen American agriculture and provide leadership to build healthy
local communities, a strong nation and a sustainable world; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Andrew Draper, Commissioner of Education for the State of
New York, gave a speech on January 15, 1908, to a group of principals
and superintendents, where he put forward the idea of agriculture in
public high schools; he created a committee of five men to study the
idea and come up with a plan; and
WHEREAS, The plan was enacted as an amendment in the state vocational
education law, passed in 1910, which made possible schools of agricul-
ture, mechanic arts, and homemaking; and
WHEREAS, In 1926 at the state fair, representatives from Albion, Bath,
Endicott, and Greene had met, discussed the possibilities and adopted a
constitution which began the New York Association of Young Farmers Club;
and
WHEREAS, Two years later, FFA was founded as a dynamic youth organiza-
tion within agricultural education which changes lives and prepares
students for Premier Leadership, Personal Growth and Career Success; and
WHEREAS, The name was changed in 1988, to the National FFA Organiza-
tion to represent the growing diversity of agriculture; today, almost
half a million student members are engaged in a wide range of agricul-
tural education activities, leading to over 300 career opportunities in
the food, fiber and natural resources industries; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
applaud the leaders of commerce and industry whose accomplishments
contribute to the economic health and prosperity of the communities of

the State of New York and to the quality of life of its people; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 65th Anniversary of the Tri-Valley Future Farmers of
America Chapter; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Kim Doyle, President, Tri-Valley Future Farmers of America
Chapter.