STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

HOUSE
RESOLUTION 1022	By:	Morrissette

AS INTRODUCED

A Resolution supporting the Resource Conservation and Development Program in Oklahoma.

WHEREAS, the United States Congress created the Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Program and authorized nine RC&D districts within the State of Oklahoma and charged them with developing programs to enhance the standard of living for the citizens of Oklahoma through locally elected nonprofit volunteer organizations, and, further, provided support for these local RC&D  Councils through small amounts of financial assistance and loaned United States Department of Agriculture executives to provide technical assistance; and
WHEREAS, the nine Oklahoma RC&D Councils, have become actively engaged in community and resource development, and have become an essential component in Oklahoma’s overall economic development effort, not requiring state funding and, despite program cuts, have leveraged their federal appropriation for Oklahoma citizens by adding almost Thirteen Dollars to the state’s economy for every One Dollar of federal assistance; and
WHEREAS, during the past year alone, the RC&D Councils in Oklahoma accomplished the following: 
New businesses developed: 27,
Business retained or expanded: 305,
Direct monetary support for businesses: 3.168 Million Dollars,
Value added products assisted to market: 65,
Agritourism venues opened or expanded: 125,
On-farm jobs created or retained: 188,
Off-farm jobs created or retained: 207,
Acres conserved for recreation: 17,193,
Tourism, historic, cultural, or museum sites enhanced: 88,
Rural fire and disaster or emergency preparedness projects: 18,
Community health care improvements: 42,
Wastewater systems improved or repaired: 15,
Tribal nations working as project partners: 26, and
Dollars leveraged for project completions: 14.162 Million Dollars, plus a much larger impact that has not been determined; and
WHEREAS, nationally, in 2010, 375 RC&D Councils created over 35,000 new jobs, retained 15,000 jobs, and assisted 6,700 businesses; and
WHEREAS, federal funding for the RC&D is now endangered because of proposed funding cuts.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 53RD OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:
THAT the Oklahoma State Legislature supports the RC&D program in Oklahoma and requests that the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation support continuing funding for the Resource Conservation and Development Program. 

53-1-7297	SDR	03/28/11