Speech #1010152916

I think it is no secret that the delta region has long lagged behind the rest of the country in terms of economic development. I think that part of the reason for this lies in the fact that agriculture always has been the No. 1 industry of the delta region. Until the mechanization of agriculture which really followed World War II. there was economic activity to be pursued by most of the residents of the region. but with the mechanization of agriculture. there was a large displacement of the labor force. some of which emigrated from the area. other elements remaining. to the point that we have more than our fair share of poverty. proportionate to the rest of the country. In saying that part of our problems stem from the fact that there was a displacement of workers following the mechanization of agriculture. I think also that we never. relying heavily as we did on agriculture. probably efforts were not made back when. back when to industrialize as perhaps much of the rest of the country has done.