WASHINGTON – The Senate has unanimously approved a bipartisan resolution authored by U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., in support of 4-H and its recently-launched “Grow True Leaders” campaign. The measure, which is cosponsored by 34 senators, recognizes the immeasurable benefits of the national 4-H program for young people and its potential growth under the new initiative.

“4-H plays an important role in shaping the lives of young people in Mississippi and across the country,” Wicker said. “Historically, the organization’s nearly 6 million members typically hail from rural areas of America. I am impressed with the incredible strides that 4-H has made in our rural communities and encouraged that 4-H is expanding into the nation’s urban centers and suburbs, significantly growing its outreach. I look forward to helping facilitate the growth of True Leaders, giving students a place to learn and exercise valuable leadership skills.”

“For over 100 years, 4-H has nurtured young leaders in rural America – and it had a huge impact on me growing up. Now, 4-H programs supporting civic engagement, science education, public speaking, and more are moving further into urban and suburban communities as well,” Heitkamp said. “As a fellow 4-H’er, I know personally that these programs make a difference in students’ lives, and I continue to hear about the opportunities 4-H provides for young North Dakotans around our state. With 4-H expanding, I’m proud to honor this national program for its work to grow the next generation of leaders in local communities across the country.”

The 4-H movement supports young people through programs designed to shape future leaders and innovators, particularly in rural communities. Last week, 4-H launched a campaign called “Grow True Leaders,” which seeks to replicate 4-H’s success in rural communities in urban areas. The program’s new initiative hopes to reach a broader, more diverse population, impacting more African American and Hispanic children.

In addition to Senators Wicker and Heitkamp, cosponsors of the resolution include Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Roy Blunt, R-Mo., John Boozman, R-Ark., Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Bob Casey, D-Pa., Bill Cassidy, R-La., Thad Cochran, R-Miss., Chris Coons, D-Del., John Cornyn, R-Texas, Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Steve Daines, R-Mont., Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Cory Gardner, R-Colo., James Inhofe, R-Okla., Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., Mark Kirk, R-Ill., Angus King, I-Maine, Jeff Merkley, R-Ore., John McCain, R-Ariz., Jerry Moran, R-Kan., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Gary Peters, D-Mich., Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Tom Udall, D-N.M., and David Vitter, R-La.