"The greatest thing on earth is to have the love of God in your heart, the second greatest thing is to have electricity in your house."
A Tennessee farmer to his fellow church-goers
Thesis
The Rural Electrification Administration was created by an executive order by Franklin D Roosevelt. Roosevelt, a wealthy man from Hyde Park, New York, came to Georgia and discovered a need among the community in which he lived. He advocated for the Rural Electrification Administration which would provide electricity to farmers. Roosevelt was transformed by the plight of rural Georgians, who had the right to have electricity but were struggling due to being poverty stricken and the high cost charged by the electric companies outside of urban areas. The power companies, as well as many citizens, did not feel the government had the right to interfere with private industry. Roosevelt felt it was his responsibility as the President of the United States to protect the people and improve conditions in this country. In so doing, he transformed rural America.