SRES-434-119
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6959; text: CR S6958)
Sponsored by John Boozman (R-AR)
What it does
This Senate resolution would express the Senate's support for designating October 5 through October 11, 2025, as "National 4-H Week." It would also state that the Senate recognizes 4-H as the youth development program of the Cooperative Extension System and the Department of Agriculture, and would encourage all citizens to recognize 4-H. It creates no legal duty, program, or spending.
Who benefits
4-H members, volunteers, and staff, and the land-grant universities that run the program, who would receive public recognition during the week. No other group gains materially.
Who is hurt
No group is meaningfully affected. The resolution is non-binding and creates no new costs or obligations.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that recognizing 4-H draws public attention to a long-running youth program that works through the Cooperative Extension System and more than 110 land-grant universities. They contend a bipartisan, unanimously agreed resolution costs nothing and honors the volunteers and young people involved in health, science, agriculture, and civic projects.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that commemorative resolutions use limited Senate time without changing any law or program, and that they single out one organization for official praise. They contend that recognition of private and extension-based youth groups is better left to states, communities, and the organizations themselves.
Constitutional context
This resolution raises no constitutional question beyond the Senate's authority to adopt non-binding expressions of its views under Article I. It has no force of law and does not require the President's signature.
Checks and balances
The Senate alone expresses its view; no branch gains new authority, and the resolution binds no agency, state, or private party.
Historical precedent
The Senate has passed similar non-binding resolutions supporting National 4-H Week in earlier years.