| 1 | House Resolution |
| 2 | A resolution recognizing March 11, 2008, as "Community |
| 3 | Action Day" in Florida. |
| 4 |
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| 5 | WHEREAS, community action agencies were created to fight |
| 6 | the war on poverty when the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 was |
| 7 | signed into law, and |
| 8 | WHEREAS, community action agencies comprise America's |
| 9 | poverty-fighting network and have a 40-year history of promoting |
| 10 | self-sufficiency for low-income families, children, and |
| 11 | individuals, and |
| 12 | WHEREAS, there are over 1,000 community action agencies |
| 13 | nationally, with 31 operational community action agencies |
| 14 | serving low-income families, children, and individuals |
| 15 | throughout 65 counties in this state, and |
| 16 | WHEREAS, in 2007, it was reported that the percentage of |
| 17 | Americans living in poverty has reportedly reached a 32-year |
| 18 | high, with millions of working Americans falling closer to the |
| 19 | poverty line, and |
| 20 | WHEREAS, a recent analysis of the 2006 American Community |
| 21 | Survey reported that over 38 million Americans are living below |
| 22 | the poverty level and that Florida ranks 26th in states with the |
| 23 | most people below the poverty level at 2,226,587, and |
| 24 | WHEREAS, Florida's community action agencies have made |
| 25 | essential contributions to low-income families, children, and |
| 26 | individuals by providing services to 363,604 individuals and |
| 27 | 114,303 families in 2006, and |
| 28 | WHEREAS, Florida's community action agencies provide low- |
| 29 | income citizens with opportunities to improve their lives and |
| 30 | their living conditions through innovative and cost-efficient |
| 31 | programs, thus ensuring that all citizens are able to live in |
| 32 | dignity, and |
| 33 | WHEREAS, as the war on poverty continues across the |
| 34 | country, it is fitting to recognize and commend those community |
| 35 | action agencies in this state that are at the forefront of this |
| 36 | struggle, NOW THEREFORE, |
| 37 |
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| 38 | Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of |
| 39 | Florida: |
| 40 |
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| 41 | That in recognition of the hard work, commitment, and |
| 42 | dedication of Florida's community action agencies and their |
| 43 | invaluable contributions to the well-being of needy citizens |
| 44 | throughout the state, March 11, 2008, is recognized as |
| 45 | "Community Action Day" in Florida. |