Washington, DC (NNPA)--President William
Clinton announced the creation of the President's Council on the Future
of Princeville, North Carolina. Prior to Clinton's order, the planning
stages for Princeville were a swirl of debate over receiving federal funding
and retaining local control over the funding.
The order will create an interagency council
that will include key cabinet members, elected officials, private sector,
community and non-profit groups to develop recommendations to help repair,
rebuild and preserve Princeville.
As the first city founded by ex-slaves,
Princeville holds a unique historical and cultural importance to North
Carolina and to the United States. Princeville was referred to as Freedom
Hill by fleeing African American who settled along the banks of the River
Tar under the protection of Union troops at the close of the Civil War.
In recent times, the repeated flooding from the River Tar and Hurricane
Floyd has ravaged the Freedom Hill community.
"It is my firm belief and the policy of
my Administration that we must do more to help the people of Princeville
who have bravely chosen to stay and rebuild their badly damaged hometown.
We owe them our best efforts," said President Clinton.