This morning rural America saved the President’s life.

This morning my neighbors in rural America woke up patriots because they not only saved the President’s life, they saved yours, too. It did not make the front page of this paper, but it happened. And yet rural Americans do not get discouraged at their lack of positive press; they simply go to work the next morning to save American lives all over again.

Despite its weighty necessity to our nation, rural America is the victim of President Bush’s 2005 budget which proposes to cut agriculture by eight percent, rural development by $244 million, farm conservation by $40 million, rural health care by $91 million and agricultural research by $100 million. Agricultural research, especially, is as serious as famine – and the only known prevention of it.

Taking our meals for granted is an old problem – maybe an unsolvable one – but rural America means more than the food on our tables. As goes rural America, so goes the economic security of this country. To be certain, the engine driving America is found in a tractor, not an SUV.

By cutting support to rural America we force rural Americans to stop sustaining the rest of the nation. As rural Americans leave, domestic agriculture production drops precipitously. As domestic production drops, our dependency on foreign sources for food will rise and our ability to feed ourselves will disappear. We will find ourselves in the insecure position of becoming dependent on good weather over foreign soils to put food on our tables.

To keep “a chicken in every pot” there must be farmers to grow the seed and raise the poultry, manufacturers to process the produce, and truck and barge-drivers to transport food to every kitchen table in America. Unfortunately, rural America is struggling to survive. Hindering wide-reaching success are low-wage jobs and lack of access to basic child care, transportation, health care and housing services.

Tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans and an empty assurance of jobs to come is not a viable solution. Three hundred dollars and a promise only go so far. And for the farmers, manufacturers and school teachers of rural America, it doesn’t go nearly far enough.

Rural America’s need for jobs is complemented by its need for infrastructure and agriculture funding. Regrettably, Washington delays a Highway Bill that could bring millions in funding to rural America and recent Administration Budgets have slashed agriculture assistance precipitously.

Yet despite the fact 244 of the 250 poorest counties in America are rural, we remain strong. Hard, mostly blue-collar work mixes with a profound devotion to family, religion and a deep love for this country to form the core values of rural America.

A place where “community” is not merely a term tossed around on the political stump, but a living, breathing entity acting as an umbrella of protection in the turbulent storm of these times. Rural America lives up to a moral standard based on helping those in need and celebrating life’s victories as a neighborhood, a congregation and a society.

I see every day how communities come together in the face of difficult economic times, but the deep roots of rural America can only feed so many. As a staggering number of Americans lose jobs, depleted health care benefits and an avalanche of related issues – from deficient education to decreased infrastructure – begin to gallop out of control.

As we look ahead to another political season of campaign events I travel home, every weekend, to Eastern and North Central Arkansas. I will meet manufacturers who did their jobs well for decades only to be suddenly laid off. I will talk with teachers who plead for more resources to educate our children. And I will go out onto the most technologically advanced farms in the world and marvel at our ability to feed more than nature designed.

With all the problems facing rural America, I remain positive. I am confident the hard work, dedication and commitment to family found in rural America will provide the sounding board to right our wrong direction. Rural voters may only account for 25 percent of our nation’s population, but our values speak for all.

I look to this November as an opportunity to elect leaders who will recognize the power and importance of rural America and help us again show the country our strength and our determination despite the difficulties we face.

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Marion Berry is a Democratic member of Congress from Arkansas’ First Congressional District. His district, approximately 182 miles long and 190 miles wide, is comprised of 26 counties, all rural.