ALABAMA A&M and AUBURN UNIVERSITIES

AUBURN, JULY 2--- Five hundred 4-H'ers, volunteers and Extension agents from across the state will gather at Alabama A&M University July 13-15 for the 1999 State 4-H Congress.

Dr. Warren McCord, Extension state 4-H program leader, says State Congress climaxes a year of 4-H work for the delegates.

The three-day Congress includes a tight schedule of competitions, educational workshops, tours, fellowship, awards ceremony and the election of state 4-H council officers.

About a third of the delegates attending Congress are not involved in competitions. Selected because of their outstanding leadership abilities, these young people will attend the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation Leadership Institute while competitive events are taking place.

State 4-H Congress begins with an opening assembly Tuesday, July 13, at 7 p.m. This year's keynote speaker is Eric Chester. Renowned for his high-impact motivational speeches, Chester is the founder of a successful sports promotion company in Colorado.

State winners in more than 30 categories will be selected on Wednesday, July 14. The winners will be recognized at an awards banquet Wednesday night at the Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville.

Thursday, July 15, state 4-H council officers will be elected and installed. Delegates also will view the 1999 State 4-H Congress video, which is a review of activities during the three-day event at Alabama A&M University.

The 4-H program is available in all 67 counties in the state and is conducted by county agents of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. There are more than 85,000 Alabama youngsters, ages 9 to 19, enrolled in the 4-H program.