[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 26, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H5667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





             RECOGNIZING THE FOOD BANK OF EASTERN MICHIGAN

  (Mr. KILDEE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, today I want to recognize the Food Bank of 
Eastern Michigan, an incredible nonprofit organization in my hometown 
of Flint that is working to end hunger in the communities across my 
district. Each year, the food bank distributes more than 28 million 
pounds of food through 22 counties.
  In addition to providing that assistance, the food bank is doing 
important work to study poverty in America. It is clear through their 
work that the way we measure poverty in America doesn't give us the 
full picture. The way we look at poverty is incomplete.
  Many families in Michigan technically are above the Federal poverty 
level, but those families struggle to meet their basic needs, like a 
roof over their head, enough food on the table, and paying their 
utility bills.
  Congress has to do more to end poverty in this country. Instead of 
cutting childcare programs, healthcare, and ending tax incentives like 
the Earned Income Tax Credit, let's help families be self-sufficient. 
Let's focus on creating good jobs, raising their wages, supporting 
families with income that allows them to not focus just on the basic 
needs.
  This is something that we have to do. We are the richest country on 
the planet. We ought to be able to end poverty in America.

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