Senate Resolution 142 PAG LIN 1 1 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1 2 BY BOETTGER 1 3 A Resolution urging the federal government to establish 1 4 a National Center for Rural and Agricultural 1 5 Behavioral Health in Iowa. 1 6 WHEREAS, Iowa is widely recognized as a leading 1 7 agricultural producing state in the world and its 1 8 farmers and rural residents are recognized for their 1 9 work ethic in providing food and other products to 1 10 consumers in this nation and the world; and 1 11 WHEREAS, persons in rural America, including farm 1 12 families, are affected by a number of health issues, 1 13 including those relating to improving physical safety, 1 14 alleviating stress, and promoting family 1 15 relationships; and 1 16 WHEREAS, Iowa has a number of outstanding state and 1 17 local institutions, including universities, which 1 18 administer programs that focus upon agriculture, 1 19 health, and rural health, and which include the Center 1 20 for Rural Health and Primary Care; and 1 21 WHEREAS, there is a vital need for a national rural 1 22 behavioral health initiative in order to provide 1 23 opportunities to rural populations and families who do 1 24 not have access to appropriate care; and 1 25 WHEREAS, preliminary planning and work by 1 26 individuals and organizations in Iowa and in other 1 27 upper midwestern states have concluded that there is a 1 28 need for a National Center for Rural and Agricultural 1 29 Behavioral Health; NOW THEREFORE, 1 30 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the United 2 1 States Congress, together with interested private and 2 2 public interests, is urged to cooperate at all levels 2 3 to assist in the planning, funding, and development of 2 4 a National Center for Rural and Agricultural 2 5 Behavioral Health to be established in Iowa; and 2 6 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this 2 7 Resolution be sent to the President of the United 2 8 States, the United States Secretary of Agriculture, 2 9 the United States Secretary of Labor, the United 2 10 States Secretary of Health and Human Services, the 2 11 President of the Senate of the United States, the 2 12 Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United 2 13 States, the Chair of the United States Senate 2 14 Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, the 2 15 Chair of the United States House of Representatives 2 16 Committee on Agriculture, and the members of Iowa's 2 17 congressional delegation. 2 18 LSB 7003SS 80 2 19 da/cf/24