HR12EX2.html

Urging the United States Congress to support the proposed study of southern rural poverty; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Honorable Zell Miller has announced plans to seek regional revitalization in the rural southland to address some of the nation's worst records of unemployment, disease, poverty, and illiteracy through federal assistance; and

WHEREAS, the proposal directs $250,000 in federal funds to study the need for a Southern Black Belt regional commission similar to the Appalachian Regional Commission to focus resources on southern rural poverty; and

WHEREAS, the Southern Black Belt has a 17 percent poverty rate overall and a 33.9 percent poverty rate among African Americans while the national poverty rate is 13.5 percent; and

WHEREAS, one_fifth of the 25 million inhabitants live in households below the federal poverty line of $16,954 a year in earnings for a family of four, and the area abounds with problems that include stagnant job markets, high pregnancy rates, and infant mortality and chronic diseases due to poor nutrition; and

WHEREAS, the commission could connect land_grant colleges throughout the Southern Black Belt in the delivery of social services while sharing their resources and best practices.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body urge the United States Congress to support the proposed study of southern rural poverty and assist the Southern Black Belt in meeting its educational, economic, and health challenges.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Georgia congressional delegation.