FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2009
Contact: Katie Laning Niebaum, Leah Vest
(202) 224-4843
                                            

   
Lincoln Unveils Senate Democratic Rural Agenda and New Rural Outreach Website

Washington – Today, U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Chair of Rural Outreach, unveiled the Senate Democratic Caucus’ Rural Agenda for the 111th Congress and announced the launch of a new rural outreach website. Both initiatives are part of Senate Democrats’ efforts to highlight issues important to rural communities and to further promote policies that will benefit rural America.

“Our rural communities are suffering during these tough economic times, and it is critical that we focus on policies that will give them the economic boost they desperately need and deserve,” said Lincoln. “This agenda will help guide Senate Democrats as we work toward policies that will revitalize and reinvest in the rural economy.  Senate Democrats will continue to make the more than 50 million hard-working rural Americans a top priority.”

Lincoln, who hails from a seventh-generation Arkansas farm family, serves as Chair of Rural Outreach for the Senate Democratic Caucus, a position she has held since 2005.  Through this leadership role, Lincoln lends a rural perspective to the Senate agenda and promotes policies beneficial to rural America.

The Senate Democratic Rural Outreach website can be accessed at www.democrats.senate.gov/rural.  A copy of the rural agenda is below:

 Senate Democrats: Building a Stronger Rural America
 
Rural America reflects our nation’s most precious values: hard work, independence, and an unparalleled commitment to community. Senate Democrats provide a voice for the over 50 million hard-working rural Americans and support an agenda that addresses the unique challenges they face.  Senate Democrats will fight for policies that revitalize and reinvest in our communities so that, together, we can build a stronger rural America.

Health Care
Providing rural Americans with access to affordable, quality health care.

Senate Democrats recognize the challenge of providing access to affordable and quality health care in rural America.  We believe in giving rural Americans the health care they deserve by supporting rural hospitals and community health centers, preserving programs and grants that provide rural hospitals flexibility, giving rural communities access to emergency devices, funding area health education centers, and addressing workforce issues in the health care sector. We believe that rural Americans must also have access to pharmacy services and rural providers must be equipped with health information technology that will help them deliver better care.

Education
Offering students in rural America an opportunity to excel in the classroom through education policy that recognizes the unique challenges for rural schools. 

Senate Democrats believe that our nation’s children deserve the best education possible. Rural school districts face unique challenges and we support giving  those school districts the tools to attract and retain qualified teachers, the resources to get students to and from rural schools, and the technologies to ensure that rural students graduate and can compete in a global economy.

Economic Development
Promoting economic development programs and initiatives to give rural communities the tools needed for success in a changing global economy. 

Senate Democrats support and encourage investment in our rural communities that will allow them to train a skilled workforce and attract the jobs needed to grow and sustain their communities in an ever-changing global economy.  This can be accomplished by fully funding economic development programs, encouraging public-private partnerships at the local level, and supporting vocational schools and community colleges.

Agriculture
Supporting family farmers, ranchers, and producers as a vital part of the rural economy.

Senate Democrats support our nation’s family farmers, ranchers, and producers.  We were proud to pass the 2008 Farm Bill that made critical investments in nutrition, conservation, renewable energy, and our rural economies.  We will continue to ensure that our farmers and ranchers can produce a safe and affordable domestic food supply, while remaining competitive in the global marketplace.

Energy and Natural Resources
Promoting rural America as a leader in the development of renewable energy technologies that will help stimulate the rural economy, while preserving our environment for future generations.

Senate Democrats support renewable energy incentives to utilize the unique natural resources rural America has to offer in order to stimulate the rural economy through the creation of green jobs, value-added products, and renewable energy technologies.  Senate Democrats also promote policies that help protect the environment in order to preserve fish and wildlife habitat and our outdoor heritage for future generations.

Veterans and National Guard
Ensuring that our nation’s veterans and service members are provided with benefits and services worthy of their sacrifices.

Senate Democrats support our veterans returning from duty as they transition back into their communities and civilian lives.  Health care and education for service members are significant factors in that transition and are often challenging for those living in rural areas to access. Also recognizing that rural America has committed a disproportionate share to the war effort, Senate Democrats support the many communities that suffer from the absence of emergency personnel and other city leaders who have been deployed as Members of the National Guard and Reserves.  Senate Democrats believe that those who have served our country in uniform should have the benefits and resources they deserve.

Rural Law Enforcement and Homeland Security
Equipping first responders with the training and tools necessary to protect rural communities. 

Our nation’s first responders are on the frontline to protect our local communities.  Senate Democrats support fully funding programs designed to assist rural communities, such as Firefighter Assistance Grants, Byrne Grants, Rural Law Enforcement Assistance Grants, and the COPS program.  These programs provide access to the training, technology, and equipment necessary to combat the growing methamphetamine problem, respond to natural disasters, and handle other threats to our nation’s homeland security. They allow rural communities to hire police officers and maintain key law enforcement and crime prevention programs necessary to combat the threat of rising crime.

Infrastructure
Investing in infrastructure in order to create jobs and build a sustainable rural economy. 

Senate Democrats understand that investments in critical infrastructure make our nation more secure and promote job creation. Broadband access, clean drinking water, flood controls, bridges, and roads, as well as access to air and rail transportation, are all needs in rural America. We support making these critical investments that will strengthen our rural communities.

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