THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY EVERETT, MIRABITO, CALTAGIRONE, DALEY, JAMES, MAJOR, MUSTIO, ROSS, SAYLOR, SONNEY, SWANGER, WATSON, GOODMAN, GINGRICH AND KAUFFMAN, OCTOBER 1, 2012

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, OCTOBER 1, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing the 25th anniversary of the Center for Rural

Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, On June 30, 2012, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania

celebrated its 25th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, On that day in 1987, the Center for Rural

Pennsylvania was created as a bipartisan, bicameral legislative

agency; and

WHEREAS, The Center has served as a resource for rural policy

within the General Assembly, enabling them to better serve

Pennsylvania's 3.4 million rural residents; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has the third-largest rural population

in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's rural residents represent 27% of this

Commonwealth's overall population, and rural Pennsylvania

comprises 75% of this Commonwealth's land area; and

WHEREAS, The Center collects data on trends and conditions to

understand the diversity of rural Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, The Center maintains the largest database on rural

trends and conditions that exists in Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, The Center promotes and sustains the vitality of

Pennsylvania's rural and small communities by sponsoring

research projects to identify policy options for legislative

branch and executive branch consideration and action; and

WHEREAS, The Center's research and database also address

issues and opportunities that impact urban and suburban

communities; and

WHEREAS, The Center works with members of the legislature,

educators, Federal and State executive branch agencies and

national, Statewide, regional and local organizations to

maximize resources and strategies; and

WHEREAS, The Center regularly publishes its data analysis and

research results to inform and educate audiences about the

diverse people and communities of rural Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, The Center's data analysis and research have

supported initiatives, including the Commonwealth's Area Health

Education Centers, start-up and expansion of Farmers' Markets,

Main Street and Elm Street Programs, Community and Education

Councils and the Route 6 Tourist Association; and

WHEREAS, The Center's data analysis and research have

highlighted such needs as expanded telecommunications services,

increased access to health care and diversity of postsecondary

education opportunities for rural Pennsylvanians; and

WHEREAS, The Center participates in national, State and local

forums on rural issues to present and learn from best practices;

and

WHEREAS, The Center has earned a national reputation for its

work and accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, The Center is the second oldest State-level rural

policy research center in operation today; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the

outstanding accomplishments achieved by the Center for Rural

Pennsylvania; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Center be applauded for the significant

research performed by it; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Center be congratulated on 25 years of

outstanding service to the General Assembly and the

Commonwealth's citizenry.