PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MAY 2025 AS "COMMUNITY ACTION MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Pettyjohn & Rep. Jones Giltner

Sens. Buckson, Hocker, Huxtable, Richardson, Sokola, Wilson; Reps. Cooke, Dukes, K. Johnson, Shupe

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 85

PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MAY 2025 AS "COMMUNITY ACTION MONTH" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, Community Action Agencies were established by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 as a crucial aspect of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty”; and

WHEREAS, today there are approximately 1,000 Community Action Agencies, serving every state and 96 percent of counties in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Community Action Agencies serve more than 16.2 million individuals per year; and

WHEREAS, Community Action Agencies are the primary source of direct support for more than 40 million people who live in poverty in the United States; and

WHEREAS, incorporated in 1966, First State Community Action Agency is Delaware’s first and only federally recognized Community Action Agency; and

WHEREAS, for over 50 years, First State Community Action Agency has provided an ever evolving and expanding array of programs and services that are essential to helping poverty-stricken individuals become more independent; and

WHEREAS, as of September 2023, First State Community Action provided affordable housing to 251 individuals, helped 96 families avoid foreclosure and 1,199 individuals avoid eviction, helped 1,268 households avoid utility shutoff, and provided heating and cooling assistance to 588 homes; and

WHEREAS, First State Community Action Agency Employment, Training, and Special Services provided 343 jobs, programs for senior citizens, after-school and enrichment programs for Delaware youth, workforce development, and other services and programs designed to eliminate the root causes of poverty; and

WHEREAS, First State Community Action Agency serves over 11,877 people per year; and

WHEREAS, Community Action Agencies, including Delaware’s own First State Community Action Agency, continue to play a vital role in empowering individuals, strengthening families, and building more resilient communities through their commitment to eradicating poverty and promoting economic self-sufficiency.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that May 2025 is hereby proclaimed “Community Action Month” in the State of Delaware.

SYNOPSIS

This Senate Concurrent Resolution proclaims the month of May 2025 as "Community Action Month" in the State of Delaware.

Author: Senator Pettyjohn