Since the beginning of my Administration, I have been committed to
improving the effectiveness with which the Federal government deals with
the problems and needs of a rapidly changing rural America. The rapid
growth of some rural areas has placed a heavy strain on communities and
their resources. There are also persistent problems of poverty and economic
stagnation in other parts of rural America. Some rural areas continue to
lose population, as they have for the past several decades.
In December, 1979, I announced the Small Community and Rural Development
Policy. It was the culmination of several years' work and was designed to
address the varying needs of our rural population. In 1980, my
Administration worked with the Congress to pass the Rural Development
Policy Act of 1980, which when fully implemented will allow us to meet the
needs of rural people and their communities more effectively and more
efficiently.
As a result of the policy and the accompanying legislation, we have:
--Created the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Small
Community and Rural Development to provide overall leadership.
--Established a White House Working Group to assist in the implementation
of the policy.
--Worked with more than 40 governors to form State rural development
councils to work in partnership with the White House Working Group, and the
Federal agencies, to better deliver State and Federal programs to rural
areas.
--Directed the White House Working Group to annually review existing and
proposed policies, programs, and budget levels to determine their adequacy
in meeting rural needs and the fulfilling of the policy's objectives and
principles.
This effort on the part of my Administration and the Congress has resulted
in a landmark policy. For the first time, rural affairs has received the
prominence it has always deserved. It is a policy that can truly help
alleviate the diverse and differing problems rural America will face in the
1980's.
With the help and dedication of a great many people around the country who
are concerned with rural affairs, we have constructed a mechanism for
dealing effectively with rural problems. There is now a great opportunity
to successfully combine Federal efforts with the efforts of rural community
leaders and residents. It is my hope this spirit of cooperation and record
of accomplishment will be continued in the coming years.