S*1247 Concurrent Resolution, By Matthews
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE MAY AS NATIONAL COMMUNITY ACTION MONTH IN
 THIS STATE, RECOGNIZE THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS MADE BY
 COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES IN SOUTH CAROLINA, AND EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR THE
 VALUABLE BENEFITS PROVIDED TO CITIZENS OF THIS STATE.

   05/21/98  Senate Introduced, adopted, sent to House SJ-4
   05/26/98  House  Introduced, adopted, returned with concurrence HJ-12

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO DESIGNATE MAY AS NATIONAL COMMUNITY ACTION MONTH IN THIS STATE, RECOGNIZE THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS MADE BY COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES IN SOUTH CAROLINA, AND EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR THE VALUABLE BENEFITS PROVIDED TO CITIZENS OF THIS STATE.

Whereas, South Carolina's fifteen Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are among nearly 1,000 nonprofit, private, and public organizations across the United States, originally established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to fight America's War on Poverty; and

Whereas, CAAs are governed by uniquely structured tripartite boards of directors, whose members come from three diverse segments of local communities, with at least one-third from the low income community, up to one-third from the private sectors, and exactly one-third public officials or their representatives; and

Whereas, CAAs serve 98% of our nation's cities and counties, including all of South Carolina's 46 counties, and are a primary source of support for the more than 38 million Americans and over 517,000 South Carolinians living in poverty in both rural and urban areas; and

Whereas, for 34 years, CAAs have been consistently successful in leveraging an average of thirteen dollars nationally and over eleven dollars statewide in 1997 for every one dollar of core funding received under the state administered, federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG); and

Whereas, National Community Action Month was established in 1997 and brings together CAAs in a national effort to share stories of success and honor the dedication of volunteers and the personal achievements of individuals who have benefitted from the diverse programs of community action; and

Whereas, the South Carolina Association of Community Action Agency Directors, on behalf of the state's fifteen agencies, joins this effort to (1) recognize the many accomplishments achieved by CAAs and the valuable benefits to individuals and families served by CAAs in our state; (2) demonstrate appreciation for the diligent work of CAA staff and volunteers; and (3) promote awareness of poverty-related issues in South Carolina and the need for continued vigilance in America's War on Poverty. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly designate May as National Community Action Month in this State, recognize the outstanding contributions and achievements made by community action agencies in South Carolina, and express appreciation for the valuable benefits provided to citizens of this State.