Source:  House Agriculture Committee, 6/10/09


Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Biotechnology, Specialty Crops and Foreign Agriculture
held a hearing to review the U.S. Department of Agriculture's rural development programs and the status of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for these programs. Congressman Mike McIntyre of North Carolina is Chairman of the subcommittee.
 
"USDA rural development policies and programs are critical to the success of our small towns and communities," Chairman McIntyre said. "From key infrastructure and housing to broadband and business loans, federal funds are playing a critical role in helping communities move forward, and it is critical that these dollars are spent wisely and appropriately. This subcommittee will continue to do all we can to support Rural America and ensure that the taxpayers' dollars are being spent in the most efficient manner."
 
"We are taking a very close look at the coordination of projects, strategic infrastructure planning, and distribution of funding obligations," said Subcommittee Ranking Member Michael Conaway of Texas. "Today's testimony highlighted several critical barriers to getting funding to where it is most needed in rural America, and we hope USDA will be able to address those problems quickly."
 
The Subcommittee heard testimony from two panels of witnesses, including Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager, who spoke about USDA's rural development programs as well as American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds targeted for those programs.

Signed into law earlier this year, the recovery legislation authorizes $4.36 billion for rural development loan and grant programs. The Subcommittee also heard from the Department's Inspector General charged with overseeing recovery legislation funds, as well as representatives from rural communities.
 
The opening statements of all witnesses are available on the House Agriculture Committee website at
agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html. A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the Committee website at a later date.
 
 
Witnesses:
 
Panel I
 
Mr. Dallas P. Tonsager, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
Ms. Phyllis Fong, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
 
Panel II
 
Mr. Franklin Rivenbark, Commissioner, Pender County, on behalf of the National Association of Counties, Willard, North Carolina
Ms. Debra Martin, Director, Great Lakes Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Fremont, Ohio
Governor Chandler Sanchez, on behalf of the Pueblo of Acoma and the National Congress of American Indians, Acoma, New Mexico
Mr. Doug Anderton, General Manager, Dade County Water and Sewer Authority, on behalf of the National Rural Water Association, Trenton, Georgia
Mr. Tommy Duck, Executive Director, Texas Rural Water Association, Austin, Texas