[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 39 (Monday, April 3, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S2039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT WEEK

 Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I rise today to salute the work of 
the 3,072 county governments nationwide, and in particular the work of 
the 87 counties in my home State of Minnesota. Counties are often an 
invisible, but extremely important part of our intergovernmental 
system. As we enter the new millennium, it is important to review our 
past as we look to the future.
  County governments began as a response to the needs of the early 
settlers of our country, tracing their beginnings to the roots of the 
Anglo-Saxon local government 1,000 years ago. Counties first appeared 
in colonial America, making them older than the Republic itself.
  Traditionally, counties performed state-mandated duties which 
included assessment of property, record-keeping, such as property and 
vital statistics, maintenance of rural roads, and administration of 
election and judicial functions. Today, counties are moving rapidly 
into other areas, undertaking programs relating to consumer protection, 
economic development, employment training, planning and zoning, and 
water quality, to name just a few.
  During the week of April 9-15, counties across the country are 
celebrating National County Government Week. This celebration is an 
annual event for counties. First held in 1991, the goal of National 
County Government Week is to raise public awareness and understanding 
about the roles and responsibilities of the Nation's counties.
  More than 1,000 counties annually participate in National County 
Government Week by holding a variety of programs and events at the 
national, State and local levels. These include tours of county 
facilities, presentations in schools, meetings with business and 
community leaders, recognition programs for volunteers, briefings on 
environmental projects, and the adoption of proclamations.
  There is a theme each year for National County Government Week. This 
year, the theme is ``Honoring Volunteers.'' The National Association of 
Counties will recognize the top county volunteer programs in the 
country at a ceremony April 13 in Washington, D.C. Counties will 
receive awards for their ``Acts of Caring'' efforts that they undertook 
using volunteers to improve their country's quality of life.
  I know that NACo has encouraged counties to hold a town meeting this 
week during National County Government Week or launch a series of 
community-wide dialogues to solicit citizen participation in 
identifying the community's most pressing issues and establishing a 
comprehensive vision for the future. I hope many Minnesota counties 
will participate in these activities.
  NACo has also suggested that, as we enter the new millennium, 
counties reflect on the past and prepare for the future. As part of 
that process, counties may want to apply for the designation of 
Millennium Community. This designation, presented by the White House 
Millennium Council, is given to counties and cities that have 
established programs that ``Honor the Past--Imagine the Future.''
  One of NACo's priorities for this year is economic development. The 
organization is encouraging counties to create and expand businesses, 
noting the fact that businesses not only provide jobs, but also keep 
taxes in check. Therefore, counties have been encouraged to promote 
economic development programs.
  Mr. President, I am pleased to rise today to support the efforts of 
our county governments not only in Minnesota, but throughout the 
country. National County Government Week will again be successful in 
raising pubic awareness of the good work of our nation's county 
governments and how they help improve the lives of their 
residents.

                          ____________________