    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [February 29, 2000]
    [Page 341]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Establishment of the President's Council on the Future
    of Princeville, North Carolina
    February 29, 2000

        As the first city in the United States founded by former slaves,
    Princeville, North Carolina, holds a special and highly significant
    place in our Nation's history. In its early days, Princeville was called
    Freedom Hill by fleeing African-Americans who settled along the banks of
    the River Tar under the protection of Union troops at the close of the
    Civil War. In more recent times, repeated flooding from the River Tar
    has caused damage in Princeville, which was devastated this fall by the
    particularly severe floods that accompanied Hurricane Floyd.
        Today I am announcing the creation, by Executive order, of the
    President's Council on the Future of Princeville, North Carolina. This
    Council will bring together representatives from 12 Federal agencies,
    several key members of my Cabinet, and chaired by Sally Katzen of the Office of Management and Budget. It will work
    with elected officials, the private sector, community and non-profit
    groups to recommend measures to preserve and protect Princeville for the
    future. I have asked the Council to move promptly to recommend action
    that my administration can take to help repair and rebuild Princeville
    and, to the extent possible, protect the town from future floods.
        We have taken many steps since this terrible flooding hit
    Princeville last fall, from immediately dispatching emergency workers to
    making resources available for the people of Princeville in their
    efforts to rebuild. It is my firm belief and the policy of my
    administration that we must do more to help the people of Princeville
    who have bravely chosen to stay and rebuild their badly damaged
    hometown. We owe them our best efforts.
        It is enormously important that, as we celebrate Black History Month
    and honor the long and proud history of this uniquely important town, we
    also take steps to preserve it for the future. As we embark on this new
    chapter in Princeville's history, I would like to thank Representative
    Eva Clayton who has led the charge for this
    step I am announcing today, and who has worked tirelessly on behalf of
    this important town. I also thank Representative Charles Rangel for his support of this important effort.

    Note: The Executive order is listed in Appendix D at the end of this
    volume.