[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 11, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5097-S5098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NATIONAL COMMUNITY ACTION MONTH

 Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate a 
group of individuals and agencies whose cause represents the ideal of 
public service--the improvement of the lives of those who are less 
fortunate. The Maryland Association of Community Action Agencies 
(MACAA), which begins its annual conference Monday in Ocean City, is a 
group of seventeen Community Action Agencies (CAA) which combat poverty 
in cities, towns and rural communities throughout our State, and 
provide services to countless low-income families and individuals.
  This year's MACAA conference is made even more significant as 1999 
marks the 35th anniversary of the creation of Community Action 
Agencies. CAA's were developed as part of the Economic Opportunity Act 
of 1964 which was the centerpiece of President Johnson's War on 
Poverty. This Act also began other critical social service programs 
including the Head Start pre-school program and the Job Corps Training 
Center program.

[[Page S5098]]

  Currently, the MACAA serves individuals and families in Baltimore 
City and 23 counties throughout Maryland. Working with 1000 agencies 
nationwide, CAA's serve 98% of our Nation's cities and counties and are 
a primary source of support for the more than 38 million Americans 
living in poverty in rural and urban areas. Services provided by CAA's 
and their dedicated volunteers include employment training, adult and 
child educational services, senior assistance, income management, 
housing and rental assistance, emergency services and food and 
nutritional relief. Whether it is through the exchange of information 
on poverty issues, the provision of services and assistance, the 
development of funding resources, or the effort to influence public 
policy, the ultimate mission of these agencies and volunteers is to 
assist low-income citizens to achieve a higher level of self-
sufficiency.
  Mr. President, for more than 30 years, MACAA has sponsored this 
annual conference which brings together hundreds of individuals 
involved in the effort to eliminate poverty. Appropriately, this May 
has been designated National Community Action Month, and May 4-10 has 
been designated National Community Action week to publicize the 
achievements of CAA's and to emphasize their continuing importance in 
our communities. This is a most fitting occasion to celebrate a 
coalition such as MACAA, which is so integral to the health and well 
being of citizens throughout Maryland. I am pleased to congratulate the 
MACAA for thirty years of invaluable service, and for their efforts to, 
to borrow the CAA credo, provide a ``hand up, not a hand out.''

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