Reps. Farhat, Caswell, Clack, Emmons, Farrah, Garfield, Gillard, Hunter, Julian, LaSata, Meyer, Minore, Adamini, Bradstreet, Brown, Casperson, Dennis, DeRossett, Elkins, Hager, Huizenga, Hune, Jamnick, Kooiman, LaJoy, Meisner, Murphy, Palsrok, Pastor, Plakas, Richardville, Shackleton, Shaffer, Sheltrown, Shulman, Stakoe, Stewart, Tabor, Taub, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Vander Veen, Voorhees, Walker and Hardman offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 285.

            A resolution to express support for the mission of Rural Partners of Michigan and calling for increased investment in this work.

            Whereas, Due to changes in technology, the global marketplace, and society, farm life and rural communities in Michigan and throughout the country are facing unprecedented challenges.  Rural life today projects a far different profile than was the case for those who lived in rural areas only a few decades ago; and

            Whereas, In 1980, Congress enacted the Rural Development Policy Act.  Michigan took actions to implement this idea through a rural partnership program and the creation of a nonprofit organization to address such key issues as the infrastructure, rural health problems, water-related matters, economic development, land use, and a host of other policy challenges.  Rural Partners of Michigan was formed and became a focused mechanism to ensure that the rural voice was heard, especially in the halls of government; and

            Whereas, The framework of rural private-public partnerships to facilitate collaboration, encourage input, and reduce and eliminate duplicative governmental regulations remains as important as ever to the vitality of rural life in Michigan.  The state's policymakers and agriculture leaders would do well to encourage investment in Michigan rural communities through Rural Partners of Michigan; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we express support for the mission of Rural Partners of Michigan and call for increased investment in this work; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Department of Agriculture, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Office of the Governor, and The USDA Michigan State Director.