S-1606.1                   _______________________________________________

                                   SUBSTITUTE SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 8003

                              _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1993 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Trade, Technology & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Skratek, Erwin, Sheldon, Bluechel, M. Rasmussen, Deccio and von Reichbauer)

Read first time 02/24/93.

Soliciting the continued partnership between federal agencies and the Washington State Rural Development Council.

          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 MIKE ESPY, SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE:

          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 has since February of 1991, operated a Rural Development Council, as a means to identify, communicate, and act upon new means of protecting and enhancing the viability and self reliance of rural Washington communities; and

          WHEREAS, Voluntary and meaningful communication among 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 can function to complement each other and reinforce the quality of life available to residents; and

          WHEREAS, The Council is a partnership between state, federal, local government, tribal government, and the nonprofit and private sectors, and is organized to meet the needs of all members of the partnership in a mutual effort to 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 objectives of the Council are consistent with the Council's mission and honor the perspectives of the partnership in their mutual undertaking of the following:

          (1) To provide a forum for policy analysis concerning existing and proposed rural development strategies in Washington;

          (2) To promote coordination and cooperation between all levels of government and private, public, and nonprofit groups in order to promote rural economic vitality;

          (3) To facilitate communication between rural communities and organizations and other sectors of the state and nation;

          (4) To promote the establishment of rural-urban partnerships that will be mutually beneficial to both areas in alleviating  the distress of rapid economic growth or decline and promoting economic vitality;

          (5) To identify and address federal, state, and local administrative barriers that hinder economic vitality;

          (6) To identify and provide opportunities to educate and inform state, federal, and local policy and program staff as to the needs and special development context of rural Washington; and

          (7) To identify ways to promote educational opportunities for citizens in 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;

          NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray and openly solicit the continued partnership between federal agencies and the Washington State Rural Development Council, and encourage the continued substantive participation and fiscal support by Washington State agencies and branches of state government, so as to further the significant accomplishments brought about in our state through the efforts of the leadership and members of the Washington State Rural Development Council.

          BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable Bill Clinton, President of the United States, Secretary Mike Espy, Secretary of the United State Department of Agriculture, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.

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