James R. Baird

“I want to congratulate two Indiana teachers, Laura Crosby and Cameron Frazier. They were chosen as national FFA teacher ambassadors. They help train agriculture teachers across the country and prepare students for future careers.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor two Fourth District Hoosiers named National FFA Teacher Ambassadors for the 2026-27 school year. Laura Crosby from Danville Community Schools and Cameron Frazier from South Putnam Community Schools were chosen to represent Indiana by the National FFA Organization. They will provide training, mentorship, and professional development resources to teachers nationwide while bolstering ag education across the country. Crosby has served three consecutive years and Frazier four as national teacher ambassadors. This distinctly shows the Fourth District’s impact on agriculture in Indiana and the Nation. I congratulate Laura Crosby and Cameron Frazier on serving our State and our country once again. Giving our youth opportunities to learn about leadership, hands-on agricultural science, and career skills in this ever-modernizing world is an immense task. I cannot, however, think of a more worthy use of time than preparing the next generation to lead our country.”

“I am celebrating the 200th anniversary of Tippecanoe County. I congratulate everyone who lives there.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Tippecanoe County’s founding. In 1811, the Battle of Tippecanoe was fought between American forces led by William Henry Harrison and a confederacy of Native American forces. The county was officially founded on March 1, 1826. The word ``Tippecanoe’’ comes from the Miami word of ``place of the buffalo fish people.’’ The rivers there teemed with bigmouth buffalo fish. Today, Tippecanoe County is known for Purdue University and Ivy Tech Community College, two academic powerhouses in Indiana. Tippecanoe County has thriving university communities and vibrant downtowns in Lafayette and West Lafayette. As a Purdue graduate, I am especially fond of the time I spent studying there. For two centuries, generations of Hoosiers have helped build Tippecanoe County into the amazing community it is today. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate everyone in Tippecanoe County on reaching your bicentennial.”

“I am celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Boys and Girls Club of Morgan County, Indiana. It helps local kids learn, play sports, and do well in life. I thank the staff and volunteers for their work.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Boys & Girls Club of Morgan County, Indiana. The mission of the Boys & Girls Club is to empower all youth, and all of our youth, especially those who need us the most, to reach their full potential and to become caring, productive, and responsible citizens. The Morgan County Boys & Girls Club has provided an indelible mark on the local community. Every day, youth are coached on positive decisionmaking, participate in sports, learn about science, technology, talk about the arts, receive tutoring, and gain valuable lessons through volunteering in the community. A healthy snack is provided daily. Youth attend the Boys & Girls Club to reach their full potential to become caring, productive, and responsible members of society. Mr. Speaker, I thank all the staff and volunteers who have made the Morgan County Boys & Girls Club successful over these past 20 years.”

“I want to congratulate two students from my district, Katie McClain and Jessie Frazee. They were both elected as Indiana State FFA officers.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate two State FFA officers from the Fourth District who were recently elected at the Indiana State convention. FFA is the largest U.S. career and technical student organization. FFA is rooted in farming and preparing youth for careers in agribusiness, science, veterinary medicine, and using hands-on learning techniques. Katie McClain from Carroll High School was elected as secretary. She is the granddaughter of a former Indiana State representative, Rich McClain, who I had the privilege of serving with. She is the 2026 Lilly Scholar winner, which has a full ride to Purdue University. Katie was the president of her local FFA chapter at Carroll and the district vice president last year. Jessie Frazee from Fountain Central High School was elected as the Northern Region vice president. Jessie was the local FFA president at Fountain Central High and the Fourth District president this past year. Jessie is the first Fountain FFA chapter member to become a State officer. Congratulations to these two amazing Hoosiers. I think they are in the audience. If they are, I ask that they please raise their hand or stand. I congratulate them.”