,,iii #aacth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 ,,con4 ,,res4 #cc ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,february #bg1 #bjad ,ms4 ,stabenow 7for herself and ,mr4 ,cochran7 submitted the following concurrent resolution2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry ,,concurrent ,,resolution ,celebrating the #ajjth anniversary of the enactment of the ,smith-,lever ,act1 which established the nationwide ,cooperative ,extension ,system4 ,whereas ,may #h1 #bjad1 marks the centennial of the enactment of the ,smith-,lever ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cda et seq471 which established the ,cooperative ,extension ,system1 the nationwide transformative education system operating through land-grant colleges and universities 7as defined in section #adjd of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cajc77 in partnership with ,federal1 ,state1 and local governments2 ,whereas ,senator ,michael ,hoke ,smith of ,georgia and ,representative ,asbury ,francis ,lever of ,south ,carolina authored the ,smith-,lever ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cda et seq47 to bring the research-based knowledge of land-grant colleges and universities to individuals where the individuals live and work2 ,whereas the first section of the ,smith-,lever ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cda7 states that the purpose of the ,act is to aid in diffusing among the people of the ,united ,states useful and practical information on subjects relating to agriculture1 uses of solar energy with respect to agriculture1 home economics1 and rural energy1 and to encourage the application of the same through extension work carried out by the land-grant colleges and universities2 ,whereas cooperative extension work is a critical component of the three-part mission of the land-grant colleges and universities to work collaboratively with research institutions1 in particular the ,state agriculture experiment stations and #ajf colleges and universities1 in each ,state of the ,united ,states1 the ,district of ,columbia1 and each territory or possession of the ,united ,states1 including-- 7#a7 part ,b institutions 7as defined in section #cbb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfa772 7#b7 #aiid ,institutions 7as defined in section #ecb of the ,equity in ,educational ,land-,grant ,status ,act of #aiid 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cja note2 ,public ,law #ajc-chb72 and 7#c7 ,hispanic-serving institutions 7as defined in section #adjd of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cajc772 ,whereas research-based education provided through the ,cooperative ,extension ,system to farmers and ranchers helped establish the ,united ,states as a leading agricultural-producing nation in the world2 ,whereas1 in #aibd1 the clover emblem was adopted by the ,department of ,agriculture to represent the #d-;,h ,clubs through which the nationwide youth development program of the ,cooperative ,extension ,system is carried out2 ,whereas1 since #aibd1 #d-;,h ,clubs have prepared millions of youth for responsible adulthood2 ,whereas cooperative extension activities-- 7#a7 prepare individuals for healthy1 productive lives via sustained education1 such as the nutrition education program established under section #adbe of the ,national ,agricultural ,research1 ,extension1 and ,teaching ,policy ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cage72 7#b7 help to break the cycle of poverty2 and 7#c7 reduce the expenditures of ,federal and ,state assistance programs2 ,whereas educational activities carried out under the ,smith-,lever ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cda et seq47 provide rapid response to disasters and emergencies1 such as through the ,extension ,disaster ,education ,network and other similar efforts1 by providing real-time alerts and resources so that educators can respond to urgent needs resulting from hurricanes1 floods1 oil spills1 fire1 drought1 pest outbreaks1 and infectious diseases affecting humans1 livestock1 and crops2 ,whereas cooperative extension activities translate science-based research for practical application through local and online learning networks in which educators are uniquely available to identify emerging research questions1 connect with land-grant college or university faculty to find answers1 and encourage the application of the findings of that research to improve economic and social conditions2 ,whereas cooperative extension activities engage with rural and urban learners through practical1 community-based1 and online approaches resulting in the acquisition of the knowledge1 skills1 and motivation necessary to strengthen the profitability of animal and plant production systems1 protect natural resources1 help individuals make healthy lifestyle choices1 ensure a safe and abundant food supply1 encourage community vitality1 and grow the next generation of leaders2 and ,whereas many ,states are celebrating the centennial of the enactment of the ,smith-,lever ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cda et seq47 with resolutions and proclamations1 and many land-grant colleges and universities are also commemorating the enactment of that historic ,act3 ,now1 therefore1 be it ,that ,congress-- 7#a7 recognizes the significance of the ,smith-,lever ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #cda et seq47 to the establishment of the ,cooperative ,extension ,system2 7#b7 encourages the people of the ,united ,states to observe and celebrate the centennial with a focus on launching an innovative and sustainable future for the ,cooperative ,extension ,system2 7#c7 honors the university faculty and local educators who dedicate careers to providing trusted educational programs to help people1 families1 youth1 businesses1 and communities solve problems1 develop skills1 and build a better future2 7#d7 thanks the volunteers who provide thousands of hours to promote excellence for #d-;,h ,clubs1 the ,master ,gardeners program1 the ,family and ,consumer ,sciences program1 and other programs of the ,cooperative ,extension ,system in their communities2 7#e7 encourages continued collaboration and cooperation among ,federal1 ,state1 and local governments to ensure the sustainability of the ,cooperative ,extension ,system as the premiere nonformal educational network in the ,united ,states2 and 7#f7 celebrates millions of youth1 adults1 families1 farmers1 ranchers1 community leaders1 and others who engage in cooperative extension learning opportunities designed to extend knowledge and change lives4