[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 2]
[House]
[Pages 2735-2736]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



       KICKING OFF THE REBIRTH OF THE CONGRESSIONAL RURAL CAUCUS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Deal of Georgia). Under a previous order 
of the House, the gentleman from North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy) is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. POMEROY. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the two preceding 
speakers for recognizing Mr. Brick. All too often I think those that 
serve us so well do not get the particular commendation that they are 
so richly deserving of; and I am very pleased that this individual, in 
the capstone of his

[[Page 2736]]

distinguished career, received the kind of recognition just provided.
  Mr. Speaker, this is kick-off day, kick-off of the Rural Caucus. I 
particularly want to commend the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. 
Emerson); the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Clayton); and the 
gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran), my cochairs in the Rural Caucus, in 
announcing the rebirth of this important endeavor. As a representative 
of one of the most rural districts in the House, the entire State of 
North Dakota, I am very pleased with this initiative and proud to be a 
part of it.
  In the last 7 years, our Nation's economy has been growing by leaps 
and bounds. Unemployment rates are at all-time lows, consumer 
confidence is at an all-time high, the rising stock market is creating 
unprecedented levels of wealth. But for this sky-rocketing economy for 
so many Americans, the situation in rural America, our smallest towns 
and villages across the country, has been quite different. The boom of 
Wall Street is not meeting necessarily the needs of rural Main Streets. 
I think rural America is at a serious crossroads tonight. As I travel 
throughout my home State, I literally see many fine, long-standing 
communities shrinking and disappearing.
  In an ever-more urban House, we have to understand the distinct and 
enormous challenges facing rural America. In the House today, there are 
only 57 Members out of the 435 who represent predominantly rural areas 
compared to 130 years ago. We know that after the next decennial census 
now being conducted, the rural representation in this Chamber will 
shrink even further. According to census information, however, 1 out of 
4 Americans, 62 million, live in rural areas. Due to the lack of 
representation, I believe, of rural America in the House, many rural 
Americans suffer from funding formulas or programs that do not 
represent their unique needs.
  Mr. Speaker, we have had 110 Members, Republican and Democrat both, 
join in the rebirth and relaunch of the Congressional Rural Caucus. I 
think that this initial success is due in large part to the stress that 
the rural areas in each of our districts is experiencing. In North 
Dakota, the agriculture sector is facing a flat-out depression. Farmers 
are receiving $2.50 a bushel for wheat, nearly 30 percent below the 
cost of production. In North Dakota the farm auctions replace the 
church picnic as a social gathering in many communities. I am hopeful 
that the Congressional Rural Caucus with Members from all over the 
United States will be able to advocate Federal policies that address 
our most pressing needs in rural America.
  In addition to production agriculture, however, there are many 
interrelated facets of our rural communities that need attention and 
will be emphasized by the Rural Caucus, issues like education, health 
care, technology and economic development. They are all essential parts 
of our small towns in rural America. Without the access to quality 
education, rural residents fall behind the learning curve. Without 
access to quality health care, they stand exposed to unexpected health 
concerns. Without access to technology, rural residents will be left 
out of the technological revolution. Without investments in rural 
development, our communities and our residents will not find places of 
employment, new economic opportunities for them, to continue living in 
these parts of the world.
  Education, for one, is a vital component to the prosperity of rural 
America. We take great pride in the quality of our schools and the 
student achievement; but in keeping the quality of rural schools, we 
know that there is going to be an ongoing commitment of resources and 
partnership between local, State, and increasingly Federal 
participation. This critical investment in our children is one of the 
most cost-effective ways to ensure opportunity and prosperity. 
Unfortunately, most Federal funds are channeled to larger urban school 
districts. Small and rural school districts, we feel, have not gotten 
their fair due, and this will be a target area of the caucus.
  Another pressing issue is rural health care. We hear about millions 
who lack health care coverage, and yet we see in rural areas the actual 
care delivery system being strained, people having to drive further and 
further distances to receive access to even emergency primary health 
care services.
  On technology, we see people use the Internet to access a variety of 
information; and yet we see that the prospect of the digital divide, 
separating the kind of Internet access that provides so many new 
opportunities for us across the country, may provide a distinct have 
and have-not, with rural America being left behind as the latest 
technology comes on board.
  For all of these reasons, I am very proud to join with my colleagues 
in the Rural Caucus. I commend the bipartisan effort, and I know that 
we will stand together as we face these challenges.

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