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Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That with the permission of the copyright owner the handbook entitled "Guide to Federal Programs for Rural Development", published by the Independent Bankers Association of America, be printed with emendations as a Senate document, and that there be printed twelve thousand additional copies of such document for the use of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry.

(II)

Preface to Second Edition

Enactment of the Agriculture Act of 1970 established revitalization of rural America as a top priority national policy.

Title IX (Section 901(a)) of the Agriculture Act of 1970 states: "The Congress commits itself to a sound balance between rural and urban America. The Congress considers this balance so essential to the peace, prosperity, and welfare of all our citizens that the highest priority must be given to the revitalization and development of rural areas."

In addition to this strong commitment to highest priority for the rural development component of a sound rural-urban balance, Title IX requires several annual reports from the Executive branch in regard to existing Federal programs which are supposed to benefit rural America.

The purpose of requiring these reports was to give Congress an honest assessment of how existing Federal programs are working in rural America and to provide ideas for how these programs can be improved. Wherever possible, Congress should built on existing programs to promote the revitalization of rural America, but in some cases it will be necessary to devise new programs.

As Chairman of the Rural Development Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, Senator Humphrey has conducted exhaustive hearings both around the country and in Washington. His hearings have focused on a number of issues and they have revealed a great deal about the deficiencies and shortcomings of our existing Federal programs.

However, a recurring criticism that appeared through these hearings was not only the failure of existing Federal programs to reach fairly into rural areas, but also the inability of citizens to understand and take advantage of those Federal aid programs now available. The small town mayor or city councilman, the local banker, and other rural leaders have a particularly difficult time in comprehending the complex Federal programs which are available to their areas. Unlike big city officials, they have no trained professional staff to go after Federal funds.

In looking over the government publications now available, the Subcommittee on Rural Development did not find any publication which provides a readable, understandable guide to Federal programs for rural development. However, Senator Humphrey and I were impressed with a book published by the Independent Bankers Association of America entitled "Guide to Federal Programs for Rural Development". This book, compiled by John A. and Sue Baker, provides

an easy understanding of rural development programs rather than a complex catalog written in bureaucratic style.

Senator Humphrey discussed republication of the "Guide" with the president of the Independent Bankers Association, Mr. Donald M. Carlson, who has given permission to print this book as a Senate document. I was delighted to offer a Senate Resolution to have this book printed as a Senate document with 12,000 copies to be available to the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry.

In keeping with our agreement with the Independent Bankers Association of America, the staff of the Committee has updated and revised the original publication.

Of course, it is virtually impossible to have all programs in a compilation of this sort completely current as of the date of printing. Therefore, the Committee would appreciate being informed of needed corrections and other suggested improvements in this guide.

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GUIDE TO FEDERAL PROGRAMS

FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

By

JOHN A. BAKER

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY

THE INDEPENDENT BANKERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

SAUK CENTRE, MINNESOTA 56378

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