[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 78 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 78

 Honoring the work and mission of the Delta Regional Authority on the 
   occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Federal-State partnership 
              created to uplift the 8-State Delta region.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 17, 2010

  Mr. Cochran (for himself and Mrs. Lincoln) submitted the following 
     concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                      Environment and Public Works

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
 Honoring the work and mission of the Delta Regional Authority on the 
   occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Federal-State partnership 
              created to uplift the 8-State Delta region.

Whereas President Clinton, with the approval of Congress and the bipartisan 
        support of congressional sponsors, representing the States of the Delta 
        in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, launched the Delta 
        Regional Authority on December 21, 2000, in an effort to alleviate the 
        economic hardship facing the Delta region and to create a more level 
        playing field for the counties and parishes of such States to compete 
        for jobs and investment;
Whereas the Delta Regional Authority is a Federal-State partnership that serves 
        252 counties and parishes in parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, 
        Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee;
Whereas the Delta region holds great promise for access and trade, as the region 
        borders the world's greatest transportation arterial in the Mississippi 
        River;
Whereas the Delta boasts a strong cultural heritage as the birthplace of the 
        blues and jazz music and as home to world famous cuisine, which people 
        throughout the United States and the world identify with the region;
Whereas the counties and parishes served by the Delta Regional Authority 
        constitute an economically-distressed area facing challenges such as 
        undeveloped infrastructure systems, insufficient transportation options, 
        struggling education systems, migration out of the region, substandard 
        health care, and the needs to develop, recruit, and retain a qualified 
        workforce and to build strong communities that attract new industries 
        and employment opportunities;
Whereas the Delta Regional Authority has made significant progress toward 
        addressing such challenges during its first 10 years of work;
Whereas the Delta Regional Authority operates a highly successful grant program 
        in each of the 8 States it serves, allowing cities, counties, and 
        parishes to leverage money from other Federal agencies and private 
        investors;
Whereas the Delta Regional Authority has invested nearly $86,200,000 into more 
        than 600 projects during the first decade of existence, leveraging 
        $1,400,000,000 in private sector investment and producing an overall 22 
        to 1 return on taxpayer dollars;
Whereas the Delta Regional Authority is working with partners to create or 
        retain approximately 19,000 jobs and is bringing the critical 
        infrastructure to sustain new water and sewer services for more than 
        43,000 families;
Whereas an independent report from the Department of Agriculture's Economic 
        Research Service found that per capita income grew more rapidly in 
        counties and parishes where the Delta Regional Authority had the 
        greatest investment, showing that each additional dollar of Delta 
        Regional Authority's per capita spending results in a $15 increase in 
        personal income;
Whereas the Delta Regional Authority has developed a culture of transparency, 
        passing 9 independent audits showing tangible results;
Whereas during its first 10 years, the Delta Regional Authority has laid a 
        strong foundation for working with State Governors, Federal partners, 
        community leaders, and private sector investors to capitalize on the 
        region's strong points and serve as an economic multiplier for the 8-
        State region, helping communities tackle challenges and cultivating a 
        climate conducive to job creation;
Whereas the Delta Regional Authority has expanded its regional initiatives in 
        the areas of health care, transportation, leadership training, and 
        information technology, and is also increasing efforts in the areas of 
        small business development, entrepreneurship, and alternative energy 
        jobs; and
Whereas the Delta Regional Authority stands prepared to use the groundwork 
        established during its first decade as a springboard to create new 
        opportunities for Delta communities in the future: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) recognizes the 10th anniversary of the founding of the 
        Delta Regional Authority; and
            (2) honors and celebrates the Delta Regional Authority's 
        first decade of work to improve the economy and well-being of 
        the 8-State Delta region, and the promise of the Delta Regional 
        Authority's continued work in the future.
                                 <all>