HR0401 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0401 LRB100 12749 MST 26258 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Poverty knows no geographical, ethnic, religious, or political boundaries; of the total population in Macon County, 15.7% live in poverty as documented in the 2010 Census; each person should have the opportunity to live comfortable lives, and all residents of Macon County should work toward that goal; and

WHEREAS, The Decatur Macon County Opportunities Corporation (DMCOC) has been providing valuable services to the elderly and disadvantaged in Decatur and Macon County for over 53 years; and

WHEREAS, The purpose of the DMCOC is to prepare people to enter the economic mainstream of society by providing the skills, opportunities, advocacy, and services needed to become self-sufficient; and

WHEREAS, The DMCOC has provided programs and services to the low-income and elderly populations of Decatur and Macon County since its inception in 1964 as a community-based organization to address the "war on poverty"; it was formed as a combined effort of interested political officials, social service agencies, the Decatur City Council, the Macon County Board, low-income individuals, and community residents under the jurisdiction of the Economic Opportunity Act, which was signed into law on August 20, 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson; and

WHEREAS, In 2016, the DMCOC served a total of 6,403 individuals with 444 being children in the Head Start program, and 1,988 seniors being served meals through the Senior Nutrition program; and

WHEREAS, The fight against poverty should be a priority of all Americans so that all may enjoy liberty and freedom; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare May of 2017 to be Community Action Awareness Month in the State of Illinois to commemorate the 53rd Anniversary of the Decatur Macon County Opportunities Corporation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the DMCOC as an expression of our esteem and respect.