Political Quotes

“I spent last Monday, Earth Day, in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho, with the mayor, Brian Davies, celebrating the announcement of their rural water project. The USDA Rural Development Agency and its Idaho director, Mike Fields, had provided a loan of $600,000 and a grant of $260,000 to the city. That money, coupled with $251,000 from the citizens themselves, and an additional $395,000 from the community development block grant from the State of Idaho, will assist Horseshoe Bend with upgrading their existing sewer treatment plant. This is an outstanding example of initiative and partnership formed for the development of a rural community's infrastructure. Far too often, Mr. Speaker, Federal agencies impede the needed cooperation through excessive regulation or unnecessary assertion of authority. Here is an example of a government agency recognizing a problem and then working with the community to find a solution. It is an encouraging example of government being a partner in finding a solution, rather than an impediment to the progress. I hope more agencies of the Federal Government will follow the example of the USDA Rural Development Program.”