WHEREAS, Community Action was created from President Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1964 proclamation of America’s “War on Poverty,” where the battles must be won in the field, in every private home, in every public office, from the courthouse to the White House; and

WHEREAS, Community Action has been putting a human face on poverty for more than 50 years by advocating for those who do not have a voice so that they may enter the middle class and reach for the American dream; and

WHEREAS, Community Action builds and promotes economic stability as an essential aspect of enabling and enhancing stronger communities, which in turn promotes self-sufficiency for people with limited income, ensuring that all Americans are able to live in dignity; and

WHEREAS, Community Action has enhanced the lives of millions across America by providing essential, life-changing services and opportunities, such as affordable housing, economic development, health care, energy assistance, natural disaster relief and recovery; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Community Action agencies leverage more than $13 for each dollar of Community Services Block Grant funding to provide programs and services to about 100,000 individuals with low-income, achieving more than 185,000 outcomes that move individuals and communities toward self-sufficiency and community revitalization; and

WHEREAS, Community Action will continue to implement innovative and cost-effective programs to improve the lives and living conditions of the impoverished; continue to provide support and opportunities for all citizens in need of assistance; and continue to be a major voice of reason in establishing welfare system reforms;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ralph S. Northam, do hereby recognize May 2019 as COMMUNITY ACTION MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.