The Oklahoma 4-H Foundation recently announced the Senator Ron Justice 4-H Presidential Inauguration Endowment, named after Senator Ron Justice, a longtime friend to agriculture and to the Oklahoma Farm Bureau.
This new fund will allow for Oklahoma 4-H members who are selected through a competitive process to attend Presidential Inaugurations and leadership development activities in Washington D.C.
The Oklahoma 4-H Foundation Board felt it fitting to name this endowment in honor of Senator Ron Justice and approved matching funds for this endowment at the November 8, 2016 board meeting. Senator Ron Justice spent 33 years in extension helping to make life better for Oklahoma Farmers and Ranchers and especially for Oklahoma 4-H Members. Senator Justice was elected to the State Senate 12 years ago and has been an unwavering advocate for 4-H members and extension in Oklahoma. Senator Justice was also recently recognized by the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University as a 2016 Distinguished Alumni. Justice has been awarded the OKFB Champion Award in 2013, 2014, and 2015, in addition to being a member of the 100 Percent Club.
“Senator Ron Justice has been a true public servant and champion for the Oklahoma 4-H program,” said Oklahoma 4-H Foundation President Jan Kunze. “We could not be more thrilled about this opportunity to recognize Senator Justice for his decades of service.”
The 4-H Presidential Inauguration Trip is a special session of the Citizenship Washington Focus trip and is open to 4‑H’ers ages 14-19. The goal of the trip is for Oklahoma 4-H members to learn the meaning and importance of the democratic process as well as explore the history of the Presidency, the election process, and the role of the press. Oklahoma 4-H members will discover the intricacies of the Executive Branch and careers in politics and practice individual roles in citizenship through service, civic education, and engagement. While on the trip, Oklahoma 4-H members will visit memorials, historical sites and museums and experience the Inauguration Day and related events.
Those wishing to contribute to the Senator Ron Justice 4-H Presidential Inauguration Endowment can contact the 4-H Foundation Executive Director, Blayne Arthur at (405) 834-3636 or Blayne.arthur@okstate.edu.
To learn more about the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation or donate online go to: http://4h.okstate.edu/Foundation.
