For Release: Wednesday, March 21, 2001
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

COSTELLO URGES PRESIDENT BUSH TO APPOINT FEDERAL CO-CHAIR FOR THE DELTA REGIONAL AUTHORITY

COSTELLO, PHELPS TO HOST REGIONAL MEETING

Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today joined Congressmen Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and Marion Berry (D-AR) to urge President Bush to appoint a federal co-chair for the Delta Regional Authority (DRA). Created last year, the DRA is responsible for developing plans and establishing programs for the economic development of the Delta region. Sixteen Illinois counties are in the Delta, including Randolph, Perry, Jackson, Union, Alexander, Pulaski, Franklin, Williamson, Johnson, Massac, Hamilton, Saline, Pope, White, Gallatin, and Hardin. Twenty million dollars has been appropriated for the DRA in Fiscal Year 2001. Failure by the President to appoint the co-chair threatens the future of this important initiative.

"By not identifying a federal co-chair the President has delayed the work of the Delta Regional Authority - plans cannot be developed, priorities cannot be set, grants cannot be made, and truly distressed communities must wait to be recognized," said Costello. "This is extremely important to those states along the Mississippi that are waiting to form partnerships with local governments and municipalities to begin the work of redevelopment."

Costello was recently named the Ranking Democrat on the Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The Subcommittee has jurisdiction over the DRA as well as the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).

Costello and Congressman David Phelps (D-IL) will hold a meeting at the Dunn-Richmond Center at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale at 1:00 p.m., April 19, to review the legislation signed into law last year that created the DRA. They will discuss with invited mayors and county, state and local officials how best to take advantage of this opportunity for economic development. In addition, representatives of the ARC will be in attendance to explain how their organization was established and organized.

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