[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 138 (Thursday, September 24, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1348-E1349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE DALLAS COALITION FOR HUNGER SOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 2015

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to 
recognize the Dallas Coalition for Hunger Solutions for hosting their 
Fourth Annual Dallas Hunger Summit. As the Chair of the Dallas 
Coalition for Hunger Solutions, I hold a strong passion for helping the 
families in my district overcome the obstacles and challenges they 
face. I'm very pleased to again be working with the Coalition to 
organize this important event. The theme of this year's Summit is 
Roots, Growth and Harvest.

[[Page E1349]]

  First, we explore the roots of hunger and renew our commitment to 
tackling this urgent problem. Hunger and food insecurity are obstacles 
that no family, no child, and no senior should have to confront. More 
than 477,000 people in Dallas County are food insecure, including over 
172,000 children. In Congress, I have been a steadfast supporter of 
anti-hunger programs. I cannot over-emphasize the importance of 
preserving nutrition programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition 
Assistance Program (SNAP), the Emergency Food Assistance Program 
(TEFAP), and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, 
Infants, and Children (WIC).
  Often, I remind my colleagues that 95% of SNAP funding goes directly 
to families to purchase food. For many of these at-risk populations, 
SNAP is the sole form of income assistance they receive and is a 
powerful anecdote to extreme poverty. Tens of millions of people rely 
on federal nutrition programs to feed their families and help make ends 
meet. When we know that nutrition programs not only help struggling 
families, but also generate economic activity, we must support these 
assistance programs.
  At last year's Summit, we came together to learn, share about our 
successes and challenge ourselves to do more. This past year we have 
seen a fantastic growth in partnerships as many of you lent your time, 
passion and expertise to the work of the Coalition and its five Action 
Teams. I'm glad to share just a few of the great things that have been 
accomplished this year. First, the Child Hunger Action Team continued 
to partner with DISD to expand the number of schools that served 
suppers during afterschool programs--growing participation from 28 in 
2013 to over 160 today. Second, the Faith Community Action Team 
organized 15 congregations and ministries to jointly provide vegetable 
gardens to 190 families across the County, many of them growing their 
own food for the very first time. Third, the Senior Hunger Action Team 
has begun implementing collaborative pilot initiatives to increase the 
number of seniors with access to SNAP benefits and to increase 
participation in senior congregate meal programs. This is vital as we 
owe it to our seniors to make sure they have the food they need to be 
healthy. Fourth, the Urban Agriculture Action Team achieved a great 
victory in spurring the City of Dallas to amend zoning ordinances to 
allow sales from urban gardens, which will both increase access to 
healthy food, and spur jobs and economic development. Lastly, the 
Neighborhood Organizing Action Team successfully launched a new, 
resident-led community organization called Empowering Oak Cliff, which 
is engaging community members in southern Oak Cliff in leading a 
holistic campaign for neighborhood revitalization, including ensuring 
that the many seniors in the community have access to healthy food.
  Thanks so much to all of you that have been part of making these 
achievements possible. It is amazing what can be accomplished when we 
work together. Thank you to all of the participants and especially to 
the Dallas Coalition for Hunger Solutions for your commitment to this 
cause.

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