Local 4-H members participate in Texas 4-H Congress

Members of the Ector County 4-H Program were among the 283 young delegates to the Texas 4-H Congress, which convened July 13-16 at the State Capitol.

Attending from Ector County was Alexis Huckabee, member and president of the Gardendale Rangers 4-H Club.

"This is our premiere leadership experience for 4-H members," said Toby Lepley, who coordinates the Congress. "It allows participants to experience in real life the lessons they have learned in history and government classes. Through this process they see very quickly the challenges our elected officials face in determining how legislation can and will affect our citizens and state. The experience builds the youth's self-confidence and skills in negotiation and public speaking, making it a great leadership development experience."

Texas 4-H, which is the youth development program of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, has held the congress on alternating years for 4-H members ages 15-18 since 1980.

For more information on the Ector County 4-H Program contact County Extension Agents, Crystal Henderson or Mary Jo Toomire at 498-4071 or visit the 4-H Congress web site at: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/events/txcongress/index.html.