SRES-923-119
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5186; text: CR S5176)
Sponsored by John Boozman (R-AR)
What it does
This Senate resolution would express the Senate's support for designating October 4 through October 10, 2026, as "National 4-H Week." It would recognize 4-H as the youth development program of the Cooperative Extension System and the Department of Agriculture, and would encourage all citizens to recognize the organization. It creates no legal duties, programs, or spending.
Who benefits
4-H members, volunteers, and staff, and the land-grant colleges and Cooperative Extension offices that run the program, would gain public recognition during the observance week. Local 4-H clubs may find it easier to promote membership and volunteer recruitment. No money or legal benefit is provided.
Who is hurt
No group is meaningfully affected. The resolution imposes no costs, mandates, or restrictions on anyone. Other youth organizations receive no comparable recognition, but they lose nothing material.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that a week of recognition honors a long-standing youth program that works with the Department of Agriculture and more than 110 land-grant universities. They contend the resolution costs nothing, passed by unanimous consent with broad bipartisan sponsorship, and may help draw volunteers and members to hands-on learning in science, agriculture, and civic engagement.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that commemorative resolutions use limited Senate time and floor attention that could go to substantive legislation. They contend that recognition of a private organization is better left to the organization itself, to states, or to local communities, and that the resolution changes nothing about 4-H's funding or operations.
Constitutional context
This simple resolution raises no constitutional question beyond the Senate's authority over its own proceedings under Article I, Section 5. It expresses a view, is not presented to the President, and has no binding legal effect.
Checks and balances
Only the Senate acts, and the resolution is non-binding, so it shifts no power among the branches; it is not presented to the President and creates no new authority for any agency.
Historical precedent
The Senate has regularly agreed to non-binding resolutions supporting designated observance weeks for organizations, including earlier National 4-H Week resolutions.