OPINION EDITORIAL

FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH

By Marlene B. Elliott

This is a month of celebration and reflection of the cultural history in America . This should also be a time to increase the awareness and a time to reflect on the leaders and events that have helped shape America ’s history and culture; and an opportunity to seek economic freedom for all Americans and to invigorate a new generation of leaders to carry the torch of opportunity forward. Agriculture Department’s Rural Development is pleased to support efforts to ensure equality.

One of the greatest ways to ensure equity in our rural economy is through homeownership.  Throughout rural America , USDA Rural Development staff is working to help more Americans realize their dream of homeownership.  Homeownership is a critical element in ensuring economic security.  To increase rural minority homeownership, USDA Rural Development unveiled in October 2002 a Five-Star commitment that will help rural minority families realize their dream of homeownership, and supports President Bush’s commitment to increase by 5.5 million the number of minority homeowners by the year 2010. 

When we invest as a nation in the hopes and dreams of rural minority families, we increase their potential to build equity in the future, to determine their own destiny.  It is an investment that will build equity in a stronger rural economy and a higher quality of life in rural America .  An example of efforts to expand such investments in minority communities has been the cooperative efforts of USDA Rural Development and 1890s institutions.  Through this partnership, residents in underserved rural areas are provided educational tools and technical support for creating minority-owned businesses in rural areas.  Through the rich tradition of 1890s institutions and support by USDA – we will reach deeply into underserved communities and foster civic and business leadership – leadership that will help to build new economic opportunities.

To ensure a stronger rural economy, we must also support local efforts to expand access to rural technology infrastructure.  Such infrastructure is crucial for allowing rural citizens to be competitive in a global marketplace, and it brings a world of information and services to the homes of our rural citizens. 

Homeownership and business creation, along with the expansion of rural technology infrastructure, are key elements for empowering individuals to reach new heights in their economic independence.   Further information on USDA Rural Development efforts can be obtained by contacting the USDA Rural Development State Office for Maryland and Delaware at 302-697-4300 or the USDA Rural Development Local Office serving the Eastern Shore at 410-479-1202 ext. 4 or the Local Office serving the lower Eastern Shore at 410-632-0616 ext. 4.  You may also visit the USDA web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov.  TTY users may call 302-697-4303.

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Note to Editor:  The Bush Administration, in March 2001, appointed the writer State Director for USDA Rural Development for Maryland and Delaware .  Her office is in Camden , DE and she resides in Laurel , DE .  She was the Director of State operations for former U.S. Senator William V. Roth (R-Del.).