[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 31, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF AND APPRECIATION FOR MICHIGAN'S COMMUNITY ACTION 
                                AGENCIES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 31, 2011

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to salute 
the dedication, hard work and tremendous service provided by Michigan's 
community action agencies throughout our state to its most needy 
citizens.
  Community action agencies were created in 1964 through the Federal 
Economic Opportunity Act. In the past 47 years, community action 
agencies have promoted self-sufficiency and work to reduce the causes 
and effects of poverty. Annually, community action agencies serve more 
than 11.5 million low income, elderly and persons with disabilities. 
There are 1,100 community action agencies throughout the United States.
  Michigan is home to thirty different community action agencies. One 
of these agencies, serving thousands annually in my congressional 
district, is the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency. As one of 
the oldest community action agencies in Michigan, OLHSA provides 
crucial services to the citizens and communities of southeast Michigan 
since the enabling legislation was passed 47 years ago. OLHSA provides 
educational and economic resources to increase client self-sufficiency 
while advocating on its clients' behalf to provide more opportunities 
and fewer barriers. Additionally, OLHSA works with communities to 
foster citizen participation to initiate programs and improve existing 
service based upon local community needs.
  Michigan and indeed our entire nation must continue to fight poverty 
by providing support and opportunities for all citizens in need of 
assistance. Community action agencies are the nation's largest network 
of organizations whose sole purpose is to eliminate the causes and 
conditions of poverty. They have played a vital role in the lives of 
countless individuals and families of limited means in Michigan by 
providing innovative and cost-effective programming to improve their 
lives and their living conditions and ensuring that all citizens live 
with dignity and respect.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize our nation's community action 
agencies and the dedicated individuals who engage to see their 
important mission fulfilled. In particular, I wish to recognize 
Michigan's thirty agencies, and OLSHA, for their commitment to working 
for a better tomorrow for Michigan's most needy citizens.

                          ____________________