Oklahoma Senate and House Resolution
on the Future of Rural Oklahoma

 

A Resolution encouraging the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service to focus its resources on the needs of individual Oklahoma communities, develop and train local leaders, establish and maintain partnerships with other public agencies, and provide a vehicle by which communities can access the resources of Oklahoma State University; and directing distribution.

 

        WHEREAS, the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service is charged with improving the lives of Oklahomans through an educational process that draws upon the research base of Oklahoma State University, its Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and the entire land-grant university system; and

        WHEREAS, the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service focuses on the needs of individuals, families, and communities and offers educational programs in the areas of agriculture and natural resources, community and rural development, and family and consumer sciences; and

        WHEREAS, the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service examines information pertinent to the county, works to develop leadership, participates in community improvement, and assists in the planning and fosters economic development opportunities, and implementation of developed educational programs; and

        WHEREAS, the Cooperative Extension Service programs are vibrant, well recognized, and valued assets in every county in the State of Oklahoma; and

        WHEREAS, the Oklahoma Cooperative Extensive Service has a statewide system of county offices staffed by Extension educators with offices in all 77 counties.
        
        NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 48TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

        THAT the Oklahoma State Senate commends the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension for its “Initiative for the Future of Rural Oklahoma” and encourages the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service to focus its resources on the needs of individual Oklahoma communities through a process that accommodates a broad cross section of citizen input to identify issues and address those priorities that fall within its mandate and capacity to deliver.

        THAT the Oklahoma State Senate encourages the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service to develop and train local leaders and support leadership initiatives at the community level.

        THAT the Oklahoma State Senate encourages the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service to establish and maintain effective partnerships with other public agencies and organizations whose mission complements and corresponds to that of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.

        THAT the Oklahoma State Senate encourages the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service to provide a vehicle by which Oklahoma communities can access the resources of Oklahoma State University, its Divisions of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and the land-grant university system to help each community realize its fullest potential in the 21st century.
        
        THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma State University's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges.