[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 9 (Monday, March 6, 2000)]
[Pages 413-414]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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

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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.