[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 8, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H46]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WAR ON POVERTY

  (Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the success 
and legacy of the war on poverty. The war on poverty, proposed 50 years 
ago today in this Chamber by then-President and fellow Texan, Lyndon 
Johnson, paved the way towards the enactment of many of our Nation's 
most popular and significant Federal programs, including Medicare, 
Medicaid, food stamps, Head Start.
  These programs, along with Social Security, unemployment insurance, 
and now the Affordable Care Act, form America's social safety net, 
which has protected millions of our Nation's children, working adults 
and elderly from falling into poverty.
  Less than 2 weeks ago, through the inaction of this House, 1.3 
million Americans, including 65,000 Texans, saw their unemployment 
insurance disappear. This number will grow to over 3 million in the 
coming months if action is not taken. This vital lifeline is essential 
for millions of our fellow Americans who are out of work and struggling 
to make ends meet.
  The 50th anniversary of President Johnson's speech is the perfect 
opportunity for Congress to show its support for those less fortunate, 
and I call on this Chamber to bring the legislation to renew Emergency 
Unemployment today.

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