[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 114 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      SUPPORTING H.R. 1655, THE COMMUNITY ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ACT

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                      HON. MICHAEL G. FITZPATRICK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2016

  Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1655, 
the Community Economic Opportunity Act.
  In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson introduced America to the War on 
Poverty. Since then, Washington has created many anti-poverty programs, 
spent trillions of dollars, and made promises that failed to achieve 
well-intentioned goals. However, we realize it is just as difficult to 
lift people and families out of the poverty cycle today. It is not 
enough to speak of change in Washington; we must invite and support new 
ideas and open up our system to collaboration with those on the front 
lines in the fight against poverty. To that end, I proudly support H.R. 
1655, the Community Economic Opportunity Act, which reauthorizes the 
Community Service Block Grant program that was last reauthorized in 
1998. This program is currently present in 99 percent of US counties, 
and supports important programs that bring people out of the grip of 
poverty, improves the quality of our communities, and benefits our 
country and economy for the better. Together, we can help guide our 
nation into a new era of success and prosperity.

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