[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 9162-9163]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          CAP 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 28, 2014

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the 50th anniversary 
of Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties. 
Introduced during the stewardship of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War 
on Poverty in 1964, Community Action Partnership (CAP) agencies have 
served as one of the foremost tools in uplifting individuals and 
families out of poverty. In Minnesota, Community Action Partnership of 
Ramsey and Washington Counties has echoed the ideals of President 
Johnson's vision to eliminate poverty, and served as a statewide leader 
in supporting families, seniors and children in need.
  In 1964, America was divided by growing socioeconomic inequalities 
that threatened the nation's foundations of life and liberty. In 
response to these challenges, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the 
Economic Opportunity Act, legislation that inspired a nation to act in 
partnership with the Federal Government to eliminate poverty. Among the 
results of this monumental piece of legislation was Community Action 
Partnership, a neighborhood-driven organization focused on and 
providing direct

[[Page 9163]]

support to those dedicated to helping themselves and each other.
  Today, 50 years after the signing of the Economic Opportunity Act, 
millions of Americans have been lifted out of poverty. In Ramsey and 
Washington Counties, CAP has proven to be a resilient force in 
delivering direct services such as Head Start, energy assistance, job 
training, financial literacy training, food support and car ownership 
programs. Governed by a board of directors representing our communities 
and families being served, Ramsey and Washington County CAP has been a 
key partner in bringing relevant, culturally appropriate, innovative 
solutions to reducing poverty in our community.
  Despite progress that has been made, we must confirm the grim reality 
that poverty persists in our communities, and in some cases, deepening. 
To conquer poverty, Congress must end the politics of division where 
the stigmatization of the poor has become all too commonplace, and 
recommit itself to eliminating poverty in the world's richest country. 
In Congress, I have joined colleagues across the aisle to sponsor the 
Community Economic Opportunity Act of 2014. This legislation 
reauthorizes the Community Service Block Grant and gives CAP agencies 
across the Nation the tools to reinvigorate the War on Poverty. I call 
on Congress to unite behind vital goal and give our Nation's CAP 
agencies the support they need to eliminate poverty once and for all.
  Mr. Speaker, in honor of the 50th anniversary and pivotal role 
Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties has 
played in my District, I proudly submit this statement.

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