[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 14648]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    125TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNITED WAY

  Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize United Way 
of Connecticut as they celebrate their 125th anniversary and over a 
century of mobilizing local communities to achieve positive change.
  Founded in 1887 by community leaders in Denver, CO, United Way 
Worldwide is now the world's largest privately supported nonprofit 
organization. This invaluable national network--rooted in our country's 
history but ever-attuned to the present--brings together a diverse 
collection of community stakeholders for a common purpose. Schools, 
government agencies, businesses, labor groups, the faith community, and 
many others have combined to promote academic achievement, financial 
stability, and healthy living. Connecticut is lucky to have 15 local 
United Way chapters serving communities all across the State. 
Remarkably, United Way of Connecticut has enhanced the quality of life 
for countless citizens. Almost everyone benefits from programs 
supported by United Way. Almost every community has critical 
organizations whose good work is supported by United Way.
  Connecticut's United Way pioneered use of an informational database 
for citizens. While many States and major cities have developed an 
information hotline in the last few years, United Way of Connecticut 
had already created its ``2-1-1'' system in 1976. Connecticut's system 
quickly gained national recognition for its efficiency and 
effectiveness, and by the middle of the 1980s, it had become a model 
emulated by the rest of the country. In 2012 alone, this hotline was 
used over 550,000 times by constituents of all ages to find assistance 
on topics ranging from health and early childcare to crisis 
intervention and disaster response. This information is offered in a 
streamlined and user-friendly manner, and in this way, United Way and 
United Way of Connecticut help constituents help themselves. These 
excellent communication methods and this attention to accessibility at 
State and local levels have enabled the incredible influence of United 
Way throughout the Nation and world.
  Sensitive to the rise of unemployment, United Way of Connecticut has 
also developed crucial resources that help constituents get back to 
work. After losing a job, many are unaware of the Federal, State, and 
local resources at their disposal. Thankfully, local United Way 
chapters can offer support, such as assistance with unemployment 
compensation, job training services, foreclosure prevention aid, and 
utility assistance programs. Every day, these United Way chapters are 
helping Connecticut citizens get back on their feet.
  Additionally, despite challenging economic times and thanks to a 
robust partnership with local labor organizations, United Way has made 
significant contributions to alleviating hunger. Annually, on the 
second Saturday in May, the National Association of Letter Carriers and 
United Way of Connecticut team up with the Connecticut Food Bank for 
the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. In 2012, this invaluable initiative, 
which has become the world's largest 1-day food drive, collected over 
70 million pounds of nonperishable food items.
  When a citizen is struggling to comprehend a complex health insurance 
program, searching for answers about their child's development, or 
simply looking for a helping hand, they know that they can count on 
their local United Way. The Connecticut chapters have done 
extraordinary work in educating citizens, making accessible important 
community resources, and serving as a constant source of hope. I 
applaud the wonderful work of United Way in local communities over the 
last 125 years and look forward to supporting and celebrating their 
accomplishments in the years ahead.

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