S-0424.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 8003
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State of Washington 53rd Legislature 1993 Regular Session
By Senators Skratek, Erwin, Sheldon, Bluechel, M. Rasmussen, Deccio and von Reichbauer
Read first time 01/18/93. Referred to Committee on Trade, Technology & Economic Development.
TO THE HONORABLE BILL CLINTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED, AND TO SECRETARY . . . . . ., SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ECONOMIC POLICY COUNCIL WORKING GROUP ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT:
We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
WHEREAS, The State of Washington was selected to be a pilot state under the President's Initiative on Rural Development; and
WHEREAS, Voluntary and meaningful communication between all levels of government, including tribal governments, and the nonprofit and private sectors is critical for the representation of the needs and interests of rural residents; and
WHEREAS, It is also of critical importance to the integrity of the entire state to identify ways that urban and rural economies of Washington and the nation can function to complement each other and reinforce the quality of life available to residents; and
WHEREAS, The Washington State Rural Development Council has been in operation since February 1991, through the voluntary support of state, federal, tribal, and local governments, and private business and citizens; and
WHEREAS, The Council is a partnership between state, federal, local government, tribal government, and the public and private sectors, and is organized to meet the needs of all members of the partnership in a mutual effort to both mitigate negative impacts upon rural communities, enhance their viability and self-reliance, and look for ways to coordinate, synchronize, or consolidate the efforts of all who serve rural communities and citizens; and
WHEREAS, The Council's mission has been determined by public forum to be: According to locally conceived and driven strategies, coordinate and apply private, local, state, tribal, and federal resources to support the development of viable, self-reliant rural communities; and
WHEREAS, The Council has been a productive catalyst in focusing attention on the needs and opportunities facing rural communities; and
WHEREAS, In acknowledgement and recognition of these efforts all agencies and branches of state government that operate programs in rural areas of the state are being encouraged to participate actively in the activities of the Council; and
WHEREAS, Your Memorialists send their appreciation for being included as a pilot state in the President's Initiative on Rural America, and do hereby attest to the significant accomplishments brought about in Washington state through the efforts of the leadership and members of the Washington State Rural Development Council;
NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that Congress establish the program on an ongoing basis and provide other states the opportunity to participate in efforts to enhance the economic vitality of rural America.
BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Bill Clinton, President of the United States, Secretary . . . . . ., Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture and Chairman of the Economic Policy Council Working Group on Rural Development, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to each member of Congress from the State of Washington.
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