White House announces rural council

Jun 14, 2011

On Tuesday, June 9, the White House took steps to improve the quality of life of rural Americans. President Obama signed an Executive Order that would establish the first-ever White House Rural Council, which would serve to curtail the ongoing struggles that stifle the economic growth of these areas.

The focus of the council will be to coordinate and strengthen federal program efforts in rural areas and find more efficient ways to leverage federal investments.

Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture and member of the council stated “…millions of Americans are counting on us to ensure that young people growing up in rural places have a bright future ahead – that they can envision a tomorrow that includes a job, and a vibrant rural community that they can call home.”

While there is a great level of excitement about the new council, some individuals remain skeptical of the President’s new endeavor, including Committee on Agriculture Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK), who, during a weekly radio address stated “President Obama recently signed a new executive order establishing the White House Rural Council to quote ‘strengthen rural communities’ and focus on job creation and economic development.
 
But, haven’t we heard this before? Back when then Senator Obama was running for President, he pledged to have a rural summit in Iowa and to take action on a rural agenda in the first 100 days of office.

 

Executive Order: Establishment of the White House Rural Council

Rural America: Building Upon A Record of Success

White House Rural Council Promises Investment, Jobs