Washington, DC (February 10, 2006) – Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) recently met with local officials from the Texas Association of Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) in his Washington, DC office to discuss the President’s proposed FY07 budget.  Among those in attendance were De-Go-La RC&D Chairman Marshall Holybee, Frank Montez of Beeville, Marva Beck, president of the Texas Association of RC&D Councils, and Roberta Jeanquart the Executive Director of the National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils, Inc.

Recently, President Bush unveiled his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2007.  This budget seeks to consolidate funding for RC&D’s by reducing administrative and technical assistance. 

“Last year the President proposed this very measure in his FY06 budget, and I fought to keep the Resource Conservation and Development Program (RC&D) intact,” said Hinojosa.  “Thankfully through a bipartisan effort we were able to defeat this proposal – and we will do so again.  RC&D’s are the backbone of Rural America and we need to do all we can to support them, not continue slashing programs.”

Programs that RC&D’s facilitates are to accelerate the conservation, development and utilization of natural resources, improve the general level of economic activity, and to enhance the environment and standard of living in designated RC&D areas.
RC&D Programs encourage and improve the capability of volunteer local elected and civic leaders in designated RC&D Areas to plan and carry out projects for resource conservation and community development.

 “Congressman Hinojosa understands the role that RC&D Councils play in Rural America’s economy,” said Marshall Holybee from Refugio, Texas. “Our goal is to encourage resource conservation and community development – something that should be promoted, not slashed.  We will continue working with Congressman Hinojosa and other members of the Texas delegation on this very important issue.”

Program objectives focus on “the quality of life” improvements achieved through natural resources conservation and community development. An RC&D Council is comprised of  several counties.