Poverty In America Awareness Month

Floor Speech

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Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to applaud the actions of the House of Representatives in addressing poverty in America and designating January as Poverty in America Awareness Month. I strongly support H. Res. 1024 and urge my colleagues to support this piece of legislation.

The Census Bureau's poverty statistics are alarming. In 2008, 13.2 percent of people were living in poverty. This statistic was even worse for children under 18 years old. In 2008, 19 percent of children under 18 years old were living in poverty. In my state, Georgia, 14.3 percent of people were living below the poverty level in 2007.

Poverty has many adverse effects on society. Poor Americans are less likely to eat healthy, which leads to poor health. Poor health can make study and work difficult. Poor education and the inability to work can adversely affect individual income, and the American economy as a whole.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House that eradicating poverty in the United States should be the goal for all people in the United States. Further, this resolution recognizes that the severe economic downturn, and double-digit unemployment rate, increases the need for Congress to commit itself to helping individuals and families facing economic hardship.

I join the chairman in urging my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation.

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