CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2013–2014 REGULAR SESSION
House Resolution
No. 55
Introduced by Assembly Member Ridley-Thomas
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August 22, 2014 |
Relative to the 50th anniversary of the signing of the federal Economic Opportunity Act.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
HR 55, as introduced, Ridley-Thomas.
Digest Key
WHEREAS, August 20, 2014, marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the federal Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, and it is appropriate at this time to draw special public attention to this significant milestone in the history of our nation's war on poverty; and
WHEREAS, In his State of the Union Address on January 8, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared an “unconditional war on poverty in America,” and working together, the President and Congress passed the Economic Opportunity Act, which was signed into law on August 20, 1964; and
WHEREAS, Directly regulated by the federal government, the agencies created by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 were established with the purpose of strengthening, supplementing, and coordinating efforts in furtherance of that policy; and
WHEREAS, Fifty years later, poverty is still a major challenge across the nation, as evidenced by the socioeconomic data presented at the 2013 Southern California Economic Recovery & Job Creation Summit; the data indicated that the southern California region has a much lower than average educational attainment level that, in turn, results in alarmingly low median and average household income levels and extremely high poverty rates, as well as one-in-four children living below the poverty line; and
WHEREAS, While our great state and nation have worked to raise people out of poverty and into secure jobs, we still have a long way to go in winning the “unconditional war on poverty in America”; and
WHEREAS, To build a stronger and better state and nation, we must continue to help advance the cause of economic justice for all people; now, therefore be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the Assembly recognizes August 20, 2014, as the 50th anniversary of the signing of the federal Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, and honors those who are working to raise awareness of the numerous adults and children in California who are currently living in poverty, working to develop a solution, identifying the needs of low-income communities, and working to ensure the future prosperity for California’s economy and residents; and be it further
Resolved, That the Assembly urges the federal government and other states to recognize this fight as well, and to continue working for a more prosperous future and increased awareness of the difficulties facing low-income individuals; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.