NATIONAL CONTESTS

We,

the 1975 National Contest Committee, wish to express our appreciation to Ted Amick, Leon Wagley, Les

Thompson,

John Lacey and Peter

Johnson

for their efforts in organizing and carrying out of the 1975 National Contests.

We

would like to extend a special thanks and our appreciation to:

Mid-America Dairymen, Inc.; Associated Milk Producers, Inc.; Jones Dairy Farm;

Wilson & Co., Inc.; Ralston Purina Company; The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company; AmericanAssociationofNurserymen, Inc.; WholesaleNursery Growers

of America, Inc.; Gulf Crop Protection Products, Gulf Oil Chemical Co.; Trans- Sphere Corporation; Geo. A. Hormel & Co.; Oscar Mayer& Co.; and theNational

FFA Foundation, Inc.

We

would also like to thank Robert Bell and Roger Lawrence for their assistance in the operation of this committee.

We

submit the following recommendations:

1. That consideration begiven toholding aNational Parliamentary Procedure Contest.

2. That consideration begiven toholdinga NationalHorse Judging Contest (separatefrom the National Livestock Contest).

3. That Milker UnitHead Partsbe taken out of the National DairyProducts Contest.

4. That consideration begiven toholding aNatural Resources Contest.

5. That a certificate of participation be given to every member participating in a national contest.

6. That the national contests beperiodicallyreviewed by qualifiedcommittees.

Respectfully submitted,

HENRY GIACOMINI,California(Chairman) RICKSTRATTON, Florida

BOBGRAHAM, NewMexico REXKYLE, Texas

PAULCOLLINS, Delaware KATHYKUBICEK, Minnesota HENRY FELCH, Maine

30 FORTY-EIGHTHNATIONALCONVENTION

NATIONAL CONVENTION

It is indeed a pleasure to report to you on behalf of the 1975 National Convention Committee.

We recommend

that the Future Farmers of America extend our

most

sincereappreciation to the individualsand groups, for their time and dedication,

who

have

made

this convention so successful.

1 The1974-75 NationalFFAOfficerteam, Alpha,Scott, Pete, Bart, Gerritand Garyforbeing the example of inspiration, compassion, leadership and friendship throughout this year, and at this48th convention.

2. The National Advisor, Mr. H. N. Hunsicker; National Executive Secretary, Mr. Wm. Paul Gray; National Treasurer, Mr. J. M. Campbell; National Board of Directors; all national staffmembersandsecretaries; statestaffsand local advisorsfortheiruntiring effortsand dedication to theFFA.

3. ThesponsorsoftheFFAFoundationfor theirtremendoussupportwhichmakesit possible fortheFFA to honortheirtopgroupsand individuals.

4. TheHonorable NelsonA. Rockefeller, VicePresident of theUnited States, fortaking time out of hisbusy scheduletosharewith us andforhissupport ofagricultureand FFA.

5. The Honorable Jimmy Carter, former Governor of Georgia, for his remarks to us as a formerFFA member.

6. Mr. Edward F. Carter, 1975 Chairman of the Foundation Sponsoring Committee, and all themembers, for theiroutstanding serviceand leadership exhibitedinthatorganization.

7. The Honorable Charles B. Wheeler, Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri; the Kansas City Police Department andthe residents of KansasCityfor theirhospitalityand loyalty tothe FFA.

8. To all membersof the National FFA Band and Chorus and special talent, and a special thanks to our convention organist, Nancy Fairless of the Tennessee Association.

We

wouldalso liketodeeplythankMr. RogerHeath, Mr. Marvin Myers, Mr. Don Erickson and

theirassistants fortheir faithful serviceand manyhours rendered to theFFA.

9. The Kansas City/FFA Advisory Committee, Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and managementandstaffoftheKansasCity MunicipalAuditoriumfor theirloyaltytoward the FFA. A special thanksto Mr. Bill Brown, lighting, and Mr. Don Wolf, sound.

10. Mr. Art Mitchell, Director ofYouthActivities withtheREA inWashington, D.C

11. Mr. E. Van Vleck and Farm Journal, for theiroutstanding slide program of a Future For America.

12. Operyland USA ^fortheir excellent salute to the music of the Grand Ole Opry. Special appreciation goesto the AraratTempleforsponsoringthis program.

13. To theShrinersand Sears Roebuck foropening upagameroom forFFA members.

14. HonorableJohn Connelly, formerGovernorofTexas, forhisappropriate remarks.

15. Johnny Bench, professionalbaseball player, Cincinnati Reds, forhis supportoftheFFA.

16. Mr. JerryClower, YazooCity, Mississippi, foran inspiringand entertainingaddress.

17. Mr. Luther Lalum, President of theNVATA, forrepresenting all vo-ag teachers across the Nation.

18. Dr. Terrell H. Bell, U.S. Commissionerof Education, Washington, D.C, for his remarks reassuring his supportto theFFA.

19. Colonel HarlanSanders forhis special remarksand loyaltyforus.

20. The people of theAmerican Royal for providing aday offestivities that waseducational and entertaining for themembers. SpecialthankstoMissTanyaTucker.

21 TheWurlitzerOrganCompanyforproviding theelectricorganwhich addedpleasureto the convention.

22. The directors and assistants of the Press Corps, Courtesy Corps, Ushers, Stage/Arena Crews and all otherswhoassisted in thesmoothnessoftheconvention.

23. Thesponsors ofall meal functions fortaking timeto meet with us and giving theircon- tinued supportto us.

24. Thesponsorsof the slideand film presentationsfor theirtimeandefforts in constructing these presentations to giveus a better insight ofourorganization.

25. All companies, civic clubs and individuals who sponsored and made possible the many

activitiesproviding involvementand enjoyment forthe FFAmembers.

26. Thetradeandprofessional associations, exhibitorsofthe informationandworthwhileagri- culturalcareer exhibitsandthe stateassociationsfor theirimportantand dynamicexhibits.

FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA ³¹

27. The respected judges,officialsand participants inthe various contests, awards programs and other specialevents forserving theFFA by selecting thewinners

28. Mr. Frank B. Elliott, Administrator, Farmers HomeAdministration, Washington,

DC,

for his remarks and support tothe FFA.

29. TheColorGuardfrom Fort Leavenworth, U. S. Army Base.

30. Allorganizationsofthe press, televisionandradiothat have letthe Nation know aboutthe convention, and our appreciation to Dan Reuwee for his publicizing efforts. A special thanks to the major^television networks who sacrificed time to cover the Vice President's inspiringaddressandotherconvention proceedings.

31. Mark Mayfield for opening the 1975 National FFA Convention, with an appropriate invocation.

32. All chapter representatives and their advisors, and all state officer representatives and delegatesfortheirattendance and cooperation intheconducting of the48th National FFA Convention.

33.

We

commend the FFA members who attended this year's convention and conducted themselvesinamannerthat reflected the high idealsoftheFFA.

We

strongly suggestthat statesusecarefulselectionofconvention participants so thatfuture disciplinary problems

will notarise.Localadvisorsandofficersare likewiseresponsiblefordressandconduct by participants attheconvention.

34. TheFirestoneTire& RubberCompany foronceagain climaxing our convention with their program.

Upon

reviewing the 47th National Convention Proceedings and the 48th National Convention,

we

would like to thank, appreciate and

commend

the National Officers and Board of Directors for the biggest and best conventions ever.

Thank

you! In an effort to further this achieved excellence,

we

would offer these suggestions:

1

.

We

feelthatthe extratimeallottedforcommittee workfor officialdelegateswaswell spent.

Thank you.

2.

We

recommend consideration of increasing judging contests at the national level by offering contests implementedatthe state level.

3. Encouragean atmosphereof inspirational patriotic prideatthe49th nationalconvention by use^ofmusic, slidesand speakers.

4. Special appreciation goes to all our guest speakers. In the future we would suggest the selection of speakers whose comments pertain to the individual members' needs and the trueaimsand purposesof theFFA.

5.

We

wouldaskforconsiderationofestablishing a national convention preview, by region, to be conducted by the Regional Vice President. It would be implemented for the benefit of local chapter members to explain the importance and meaning of national awards and degrees, show audio visual reviews from the Supply Service, conduct state organiza- tional meetingsand toexplain themechanicsof his/her convention.

6. Suggestthatlocalchaptersandstateassociations use National Convention Proceedings as one sourcefortheirFFA knowledgetestsand quizzes.

7. Attendanceatthis year'sconventionwastremendous. In an effort toincrease participation, allow more time for presentation of awards, hear guest speakers and special music, we suggest the following: that the national convention be lengthened by one-half day, beginning theGeneral Business Sessionon Tuesdayat9:00 a.m.

Respectfullysubmitted,

JULIESMILEY, Washington(Chairman) DON NORDBY, North Dakota

MARK

ELLISON, Texas KIRKWEIH, Iowa

CARLA VANMETER, Arizona TIM RUFFIN,North Carolina

RICHARDHARRISON, NewYork SCOTTMILLER, Ohio