In The News: 4-H Day at the University of Illinois -- National 4-H Alumni Awards

2002 National 4-H Alumni Award

Illinois 4-H Recognizes J. Dennis Hastert

As a member of the 107th Congress, and the teacher of government and history at Yorkville High School in Northern Illinois, J. Dennis Hastert knows first hand about 4-H and the value of youth development.

Hastert was recognized for his life long support of the Illinois 4-H program, at State 4-H Day, held Saturday, November 16, 2002 at the Krannert Center for Performing Arts on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.

"4-H is a great experience -- being with people and working with people," said Hastert. "The values of learning tough responsibility ... are things I learned in 4-H."

Throughout his 4-H and professional career, Hastert has earned a number of awards. While in 4-H, he earned the Illinois 4-H Key Club Award. Numerous times, he has been named a Friend of Agriculture and Guardian of Senior Rights. Hastert has also won the Golden Bulldog Award during each year in Congress, for fighting against waste in government.

Elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1986, he represents the citizens of Illinois' 14th Congressional District - a suburban landscape of high tech farms, small and large industrial complexes and expansive farmland west of Chicago.

Hastert's involvement in 4-H helped him to gain the responsibility and important life skills, needed for his professional life. He is a 1964 graduate of Wheaton College and earned a Master's Degree from Northern Illinois University in 1967.

On January 6, 1999, Hastert had the high honor of being elected Speaker of the House. Prior to that, he served as Chief Deputy Majority Whip, a leadership position he has held since the 104th Congress. Hastert has also chaired the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee's National Security, International Affairs and Criminal Justice Subcommittee, and House Commerce Committee. He was also the House Republican point person on health care reform and helped author the legislation that was signed into law in 1996.

Highlights from 2002 4-H Day:

U.S. Representative and Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert, Dr. Jan Seitz, Assistant Dean and Director for University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development, and Matt Pangrac, Macon County 4-H Member and National 4-H Youth Directions Council member. Hastert received the 2002 National 4-H Alumni Award on Saturday, November 16 during the annual 4-H Day event on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.

Dr. Jan Seitz, Assistant Dean and Director for University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development presents the 2002 National 4-H Alumni Award to J. Dennis Hastert, U.S. Representative and Speaker of the House. The presentation was made on Saturday, November 16 during the annual 4-H Day event on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.