Florida Senate - 2009                            (NP)    SR 1374
       
       
       
       By Senator Lawson
       
       
       
       
       6-01828-09                                            20091374__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution commending the invaluable contribution of
    3         Florida's Community Action Agencies to the well-being
    4         of low-income residents of this state and recognizing
    5         March 24, 2009, as “Community Action Day” in Florida.
    6  
    7         WHEREAS, Community Action Agencies were created to fight
    8  the war on poverty when the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 was
    9  signed into law, and
   10         WHEREAS, Community Action Agencies are the backbone of
   11  America’s poverty-fighting network, having a 45-year history of
   12  promoting family economic security and self-sufficiency for low
   13  income families, children, and individuals, and
   14         WHEREAS, there are more than 1,000 Community Action
   15  Agencies nationally, with 31 Community Action Agencies
   16  supporting 65 of the 67 counties in Florida, and
   17         WHEREAS, the 2007 American Community Survey released by the
   18  United States Census Bureau reported that more than 38 million
   19  Americans are living below the federal poverty level and that
   20  Florida has 2,158,832 people living below the poverty level,
   21  ranking 25th nationally in this regard, and
   22         WHEREAS, Florida has a 7.3 percent unemployment rate, which
   23  is higher than the national average, and the fourth-highest
   24  foreclosure rate in the nation, with nearly 1 in 10 Floridians
   25  receiving food stamps, and
   26         WHEREAS, to combat these alarming statistics, Florida’s
   27  Community Action Agencies provided services to 278,430
   28  individuals and 128,151 families in 2007, and
   29         WHEREAS, in 2007, Community Action Agencies assisted 384
   30  low-income individuals in completing postsecondary education
   31  requirements, 6,712 low-income individuals in obtaining
   32  preemployment skills, 2,625 unemployed persons in securing
   33  employment, and 1,319 under-employed individuals in increasing
   34  their employment income, and
   35         WHEREAS, Community Action Agencies, will continue to
   36  provide low-income residents with opportunities to improve their
   37  lives and their living conditions through innovative and cost
   38  efficient programs, thus ensuring that all individuals are able
   39  to live in dignity, and
   40         WHEREAS, it is predicted that as a result of the staggering
   41  economic downturn of 2008, unemployment and poverty could reach
   42  double digits both statewide and nationally in 2009, and
   43         WHEREAS, because the war on poverty will become an even
   44  more formidable problem in our communities, it is fitting to
   45  recognize and commend the Community Action Agencies that are at
   46  the forefront of this struggle, NOW, THEREFORE,
   47  
   48  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   49         
   50         That in recognition of the hard work, commitment, and
   51  dedication of Florida’s Community Action Agencies and their
   52  invaluable contributions to the well-being of the low-income
   53  residents throughout the state, March 24, 2009, is recognized as
   54  “Community Action Day” in Florida.