SR-59, As Adopted by Senate, May 21, 2013

            Senators Johnson, Ananich, Caswell, Bieda, Nofs, Green and Hansen offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 59.

            A resolution to declare May 2013 as Community Action Agency Month in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, Citizens with limited income continue to need opportunities to improve their lives and their living conditions, thus ensuring that all citizens are able to live in dignity; and

            Whereas, Michigan and the entire United States must continue to promote economic security by providing support and opportunities for all citizens in need of assistance; and

            Whereas, Community action agencies were established by law in 1964 under President Lyndon Johnson in an effort to aid in the War on Poverty; and

            Whereas, The month of May has been designated by the United States Congress as National Community Action Month; and

            Whereas, Michigan’s 29 community action agencies are the only community-based organizations providing full wraparound, locally-directed services in all 83 counties in the state; and

            Whereas, Community action agencies in Michigan provide services or links to services to more than 506,000 Michigan residents every year; and

            Whereas, Michigan’s community action agencies assist nearly 235,000 families statewide by providing a variety of services, such as early childhood development, senior services, affordable housing, food assistance, energy assistance, and job training programs, among others; and

            Whereas, Since 2009, community action agencies, in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Human Services, have successfully administered weatherization assistance program funds which support energy-efficiency improvements in more than 36,000 Michigan homes; and

            Whereas, Community action agencies in Michigan serve as catalysts for innovative partnerships with such examples as the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, which in 2010 has assisted over 12,800 residents from 22 local aid sites in areas focusing on community and economic development, homeless and housing services, youth and family educational services, stability and life skills services, and basic needs; and

            Whereas, Michigan’s community action agencies have leveraged their federal allocation of the Community Services Block Grant and other federal, state, local, and private sources of funding to create more than $412 million in economic activity statewide in 2012; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body declare May 2013 as Community Action Agency Month in the state of Michigan; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Community Action Agency Association.