Rep. Cuellar Named Co-Chair of the 4-H Congressional Caucus

Congressman will support youth development programs across the U.S.

Washington, D.C.— Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) was named a co-chair of the 4-H Congressional Caucus. The 4-H Caucus provides an opportunity for Members of Congress to connect with 4-H programs and activities across the country, including 4-H events on Capitol Hill. The other co-chairs include Representatives Collin Peterson (MN-7), Cathy McMorris Rogers (WA-5), and Jeff Fortenberry (NE-1). Congressman Cuellar released the following statement: 

“4-H provides extraordinary and innovative opportunities for kids across the United States to develop critical life skills and empower themselves to become the next leaders in agriculture, healthy living, STEM, and citizenship,” said Congressman Cuellar. “It is critical that we support the nearly six million young people who are driven to develop the skills to succeed in their future. I will continue to support youth development programs in rural, urban, suburban communities throughout America. I would like to thank Representatives Peterson, McMorris Rogers, and Fortenberry for being strong advocates for the organization.”

4-H is the largest youth development organization in the U.S. The organization empowers young people through programs and experiences that develop critical life skills and preparing them for life today and a career in the future. Kids complete hands-on projects from receive guidance from adult mentors in areas like science, health, agriculture and civic engagement. Thousands of 4-H professionals and educators, as well as 600,000 volunteers serve nearly 6 million youth in every county in the country.

Congressman Cuellar’s Support for Youth Development Programs

In 2019, Congressmen Cuellar introduced the bipartisan Student Agriculture Protection Act. This legislation creates a tax exemption for the first $5,000 in proceeds on the sale of livestock or agricultural projects by Future Farmers of America and 4-H participants. For more information on the legislation, click here.

In the early summer, the Congressman helped secure $260,000 in federal funds for three San Antonio Universities through the Texas Workforce Commissions Camp Code grant. With these funds, St. Mary’s University, University of Incarnate Word and the University of Texas San Antonio will host summer coding camp for middle school girls. The goal of these camps is to increase the interest of middle school girls in coding and computer science. With the allocation of federal funds, students in San Antonio will experience firsthand the impact of coding and programming to everyday life while fostering interest in science, technology, engineering and math related careers. For more information, click here.

In FY20 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, Congressman Cuellar helped secure $395 million for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). GEAR UP Programs are designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. GEAR UP provides six-year grants that provide funding for services at high-poverty middle and high schools. They also provide college scholarships to low-income students and fund support services for students including tutoring, mentoring, offering dual enrollment classes and college tours. The objectives of these programs are to increase academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education, increase high school graduation and postsecondary participation rates, and increase families’ knowledge of postsecondary options, preparation, and finances.

Congressman Cuellar also pushed for a $40 million increase for Federal TRIO Programs from FY19 funding; a FY20 total of $1.1 billion. TRIO programs are federal outreach and student services programs designed to help individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds progress through their academic careers from middle school to post baccalaureate programs. These programs primarily serve low-income, first-generation college students, as well as students with disabilities, veterans, homeless youth, foster youth, and individuals underrepresented in graduate education. For more information on the FY20 Appropriations bill, click here.