75th Tennessee 4-H Congress Celebrated a Diamond Anniversary

In 2022, the Tennessee 4-H celebrated a milestone with its premier citizenship event, and it was definitely one to remember.

“As always, mock legislative sessions are the highlight of the event,” says Ryan Hensley, Tennessee 4-H Foundation executive director. “This year though, Governor Bill Lee addressed the delegation, and we had a museum to help commemorate the 75^th Congress.”

Cade Simmons from Van Buren County says this is a must-go-to event for all 4-H members and supporters.

“Any 4-H event provides tons of opportunities to learn if you are willing to attend and engage,” Simmons says. “I can say with confidence that whatever you put into your experience at Congress, you will receive so much more in return.”

Diving into Congress

Tennessee 4-H Congress was held in March 2022 in Murfreesboro where hundreds of members gathered to learn about citizenship and leadership. For many members, it’s the first time they get to visit Nashville and interact with youth from different backgrounds.

“It’s an opportunity for 4-H members to grow and learn,” Ryan says.

At each Congress, youth hold mock legislative sessions in the Tennessee House and Senate Chambers where they debate and vote on bills and resolutions written by their peers, similar to their state Senators and Representatives, who they also get to meet at the event.

“It teaches youth the importance of civic engagement and helps them understand how our government actually functions,” Ryan says.

Ryan’s father, Greg Hensley, is a volunteer leader for the organization and has a past filled with 4-H.

“I explain to the delegates that Congress is the best civics lesson they will have for state government,” Greg says.

See more: 75th Congress

Volunteer leaders, extension agents and outstanding freshman and sophomore 4-H members were all in attendance.

“I have participated in the 4-H program since I was in the 4^th grade,” Simmons says. This year, Simmons served as the 4-H Congress Governor where he was the main speaker of the event and served delegates along with the 4-H Speaker of the House Addie Brooks, and Speaker of the Senate Mason Valentine. Simmons was elected to that role by his fellow delegates after giving a speech at his regional Congress Readiness Day and campaigning at Congress in 2021.

“My experience at Congress this year was truly incredible,” Simmons says. “Being able to serve Tennessee 4-H and also learn from so many young adults interested in similar areas was a heartwarming experience.”

Leaving a Legacy

Since 1948, Tennessee 4-H Congress has provided youth each year with a new experience and still stayed true to its original roots.

“Anyone who has ever been to Tennessee 4-H Congress will remember it as a formative event and this year was no different,” Ryan says. “The legacy of Congress is the impact it has had on generations, tens of thousands of 4-H members over its history.”

Attendees were able to learn about the history of the event and the organization through various memorabilia that was on display within the conference center.

“Learning about the people and history involved in Congress has given me inspiration for how to continue to grow as a 4-H member,” Simmons says.

See more: 4-H Congress: A Tennessee Tradition with an Unexpected Twist

Greg Hensley also attended Congress as a delegate back in 1974 and was able to reflect on some of the things that have changed over the years. For instance, delegates used to stay in downtown Nashville.

“I enjoyed that because as a kid that came from the country, we got the full Nashville experience and that was a big deal.”

Other than the housing change, Greg also says campaigning for election has progressed over the years.

“We used to campaign at Congress with poster boards and markers,” Greg says. “Nowadays you have to be prepared well ahead of time because you vote in the region now before you even get to Congress.”

Congress in 2023

The 75^th Tennessee 4-H Congress has come and gone, and planning is well underway for next year’s event.

Congress 2023 will be in March at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro but attendees will be traveling to the Capitol for the educational programming like always. Registration is due Feb. 10, 2023.