Governor HALL. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Members of the subcommittee, I want to thank you for the opportunity and the time to come before you today. I appreciate the fact that there are members of one of our student groups here today to witness this. They happen to be from one of the counties covered by the Ozarks regional commission, which adds more weight to the fact that they are experiencing something that directly affects them.

This is my first experience as Governor before a congressional committee. I am only 64 days into the administration. I want to tell you that I appreciate, also, the courtesy you have shown me in allowing me to appear here today.

Our legislature is in session, and I have taken a day away from it to come. I thank you very much for letting me come this afternoon.

I think it is significant that on my maiden voyage here, the subject is a regional commission. Some top caliber men have contributed heavily to the Ozark commssion's success. In particular, the Speaker of this House, Mr. Albert, and Oklahoma's Second District Congressman, Mr. Edmondson, who serves so well on this committee, have fought these battles for many years. Our Senators, Senators Harris and Bellmon, Congressmen Steed, Belcher, Jarman, and Camp also are to be commended. Together with our fellow Governors who have served on the commission-Governor Hearnes of Missouri; Governor Docking of Kansas and Governor Bumpers of Arkansas-we are determined to see the Ozarks regional commission complete its goal.

These regional commissions were created for a reason: That is to self-destruct. When America has brought economic equality to these areas, these commissions must be abolished. To end them short of economic prosperity would shortchange one of the most successful Federal-State cooperation programs America has ever known. For thousands of poor people who want honest work instead of hollow welfare, it would be the betrayal of a dream.

As a man, I am a dreamer. My vision sweeps a future of enlightened world peace, an end of ignorance and eradication of poverty. But as a Governor, I deal in practicalities and in realities. Our work is for understanding and brotherhood among men, new thrusts in education and opening economic opportunity.

We are speaking today of the realities largely economic. But education and the basis of understainding are realities here, too. Our dreams are at stake.

You members are charged with resolving whether we should extend authorization of regional commissions. I urge a resounding approval of H.R. 5376. And more, I ask you and your colleagues to sharply increase funding of these commissions.

As a member-governor of the Ozarks Regional Commission, I particularly support our own program. The evidence has been overwhelming:

A great need exists among the people of the Ozarks region. We must erase existing poverty and hardship in the area by enacting this jobproducing legislation. The Ozarks commission is responding to our neds. The Ozarks area-in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas-is virtually an untapped frontier for expanding the American way of life.

With all the boldness, we must apply the lessons of 3,000 years of civilization together with the tenets of modern technology to prepare the Ozarks region for its destiny-the booming development which will come whether we are ready or not.

In simple terms, schools, water, sewers, airports, roads, and carefully laid plans must be ready.

This is a national challenge, an opportunity for all Americans. It transcends all the State boundaries. It is a new chance for humanity. In Oklahoma, where the legislature meets annually, and appropriates $2.5 million to implement the Ozarks programs, we are facing our responsibility by providing those funds.

Our courageous State legislators, in the face of great opposition by vested interests, are reforming the Oklahoma tax structure toward equity and fair share ideals. This, in my opinion, is a great foundation for the future.

Our State lawmakers also are determined to make Oklahoma best in education. They are pressing strenuously to develop a good transportation system. They, and local communities across the State, are making the sacrifices for modern utilities and public services.

Oklahoma is a relatively young State, obtaining statehood just 64 years ago. The Ozarks region of Oklahoma is composed of 37 eastern and southern counties. It has 29 percent of the State's population, but 39 percent of the State's minority members and 40 percent of the population over age 65. Eight percent of the people in the region are black; 16 percent of the people are over 65, and 7 percent of the people represent other minority groups, primarily the American Indian.

Thirty percent of the people in the region still receive some form of welfare payment but since the inception of the regional commission approach, economic gains are greater than the rest of the Nation. Let me give you some evidence. A 14.7 percent unemployment increase has shown up in this area, while the Nation had a 24.4 percent unemployment increase.

A 5.2 percent population gain occurred, in this area, while most rural areas continue to suffer from out-migration. This is an actual labor force gain to us of 3.8 percent.

History dictates that successful civilizations must have innovative educational systems and strong industry. Schools and specialty training are the basic start toward excellence in production. Economic opportunity and jobs then must be available. Industry is needed in the Ozarks region-as well as the great investment in education.

Oklahoma people have the spirit of pioneers. We are straining for the future-not just ours and our own children's. We know workers, businessmen and investors on the seaboards are looking and coming our way. We are preparing homes for them. We are preserving our unspoiled environment-yet opening our resources, our great natural resources, for the betterment of man.

Despite our own sacrifices and determination, the demands exceed our resources. That is why our communities, counties and State turn to this partnership of neighboring States and the Federal Government. The Ozarks commission has been appropriated public facility grant funds since fiscal year 1968. These funds have been used in Oklahoma to furnish supplemental grants to induce projects that are vital to the development of the region's economy, but which could not otherwise be financed.

Oklahoma projects in which the commission participates are planned and developed in a joint effort of the State, local units of government, multicounty development districts, the Ozarks staff and appropriate Federal agencies. The priorities are then recommended by the State and presented to the commission for approval as a part of the total regional development program.

The past investments which have been identified as most important to the economic development in the Oklahoma part of the Ozarks region have, in the past, been in three general areas:

1. Vocational skills training;

2. Industrial parks and sites;

3. Airports in rural areas.

Although these are only a small part of the type investments needed for the development of the region, the amount of funds available have limited Ozarks investments to only those few most urgently needed in those project areas. A brief summary of the projects financed to date reveals some interesting and very productive result as follows: In the vocational skills training: Six multicounty Vo-Tech Schools have been approved at a total cost of $11,722,527. Ozarks furnished $2,391,185 of the funds, without which these schools could not have been built. In addition, a portion of these funds created an equipment pool to initiate a "special" schools training program for industry needs in the entire regional area.

Four of the area schools opened in September of 1970 and in December a total of 3,052 persons were being trained. About 60 percent of the trainees are adults training for new or upgraded skills in industry. The balance are secondary students acquiring Vo-Tech skills needed in their areas. The two schools not yet completed will have a training capacity of about 1,800 students.

The "special" schools program mentioned above utilizes the Ozarks equipment pool in "special" training for industry and after 2 years of operation has completed or is engaged in training nearly 2,000 persons for jobs in industry.

A second major direction, industrial parks and sites: The part of the region in Oklahoma has small rural cities which have difficulty furnishing many basic utilities needed for domestic requirements and services. Since attracting industry requires more elaborate and expensive waste treatment, water and other facilities, we have used Ozarks appropriations to supply the needed funds which cannot be furnished locally to develop industry in rural Oklahoma communities, so now we have the means by which we can physically serve the needs of industrial growth. These activities do not compete with the Chamber of Commerce activities of the large cities. The Ozarks provides them with basic ingredients to be able to compete.

Fifteen such projects have been approved to date, representing $10,672,414 of site and utility development. Ozarks has participated in these projects with supplemental grants of $1,735,054 of the total which otherwise could not have been obtained. These projects have thus far resulted in new plant investments of over $170 million with projected additional employment for the region of at least 3,800 people. Third. Airports in rural areas: One of the documented needs for developing our region is to have an adequate airport system in rural areas. With the financial difficulties these towns experience, airports