CAPAC Marks 50th Anniversary of War on Poverty
Washington, D.C. – On January 8, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a “War on Poverty” and introduced initiatives to improve access to economic resources and social programs designed to reduce poverty in America. Today, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements marking the 50th anniversary of this pivotal event:
Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:
“In the 50 years since President Johnson declared his War on Poverty, our country has made significant strides in expanding opportunity for the most vulnerable among us. But with over 2 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) living in poverty, it is clear that there is still much to be done. In the wake of the Great Recession, AAPIs are one of the fastest growing poverty populations and continue to suffer the highest rate of long term unemployment of any racial group. From funding critical programs like SNAP and Head Start to extending emergency unemployment insurance, we must do more to fulfill President Johnson’s mission to lift every American out of poverty.”
Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17), CAPAC Chair Emeritus:
“It is time for us to finally win the War on Poverty. As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of President’s Johnson call to action, we need to remember that, right now, there are 46.5 million people living in poverty in America. Nearly 12 percent of AAPI communities lived below the poverty line in 2012. We must redouble our efforts in this war, and renew our promise to eradicating poverty in the 21st Century. Building on the cornerstones of the War on Poverty agenda, we must tackle income insecurity for seniors who are at risk of slipping into poverty by strengthening Social Security. Original elements like Head Start must be fully funded, and we must ensure that each and every child has access to a quality pre-school education. The 21st Century version of the War on Poverty requires a revamping of the Elementary Secondary Education Act, with a focus on equity. We also need to pass the needed extension of Unemployment Benefits. These steps are critical to claim the victory that LBJ challenged us to win 50 years ago.”
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), CAPAC Health Taskforce Chair and Out of Poverty Caucus Co-Chair:
“We are here today, 50 years after President Johnson declared an ‘unconditional war on poverty’ to redouble our efforts, to recommit, and to say that the values that created Medicare, Medicaid, Headstart, the Food Stamp Act, and so many effective anti-poverty programs are the values we still have today. Though some say that we have lost this War on Poverty, their tactics would return us to a dog-eat-dog society. That isn’t who we are as a nation. We will continue to work for the common good, and redouble our efforts to eradicate poverty, and invest in building on the great work of people like President Lyndon B. Johnson.”
Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), CAPAC Economic Development Taskforce Chair:
“It is critical that we be committed to helping hard working Americans who have fallen on tough times through no fault of their own. The war on poverty is far from over. Instead of pressing the issue, we are retreating from it. 1.3 million Americans just lost their unemployment insurance and are suffering from long term joblessness. For me, and I know for many other Members of Congress, inflicting avoidable pain on this country is unacceptable. With no political gimmicks, we must vote to renew unemployment benefits now.”
Senator Mazie K. Hirono (HI):
“Fifty years ago today, President Johnson declared a War on Poverty, rolling out initiatives – Medicare, Head Start, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Higher Education Act – that have given millions of people more opportunities to succeed and helped them get back on their feet. While we’ve come a long way since 1964, clearly the fight is not over. Let’s not retreat in our efforts to help people climb out of poverty and into the middle class. We need to fight to increase the minimum wage, make education accessible and strengthen the safety net to provide an opportunity agenda that reaffirms the idea that if you work hard and play by the rules, you will get ahead.”
Senator Brian Schatz (HI):
“Income inequality remains one of our most pressing issues. Since President Johnson declared a war on poverty, we’ve created Medicare and Medicaid to strengthen the safety net, but too many families are still at risk of falling through the cracks. We need to protect the important programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start and unemployment insurance that keep people’s heads above water and commit to doing more to fight poverty, including raising the minimum wage and helping people get jobs.”
Congressman Eni Faleomavaega (AS):
“Fifty years after President Lyndon Baines Johnson declared an ‘unconditional war on poverty in America’, our nation has made significant progress in the fight against economic injustice. We have seen, for example, the percent of the population in poverty drop from 26% in 1967 to 16% in 2012. But the war has yet to be won. Today, poverty continues to plague our communities. Americans, and especially AAPIs, continue to suffer the effects of economic recession and long term unemployment. As President Johnson declared 50 years ago today, ‘Our task is to help replace their despair with opportunity.’ As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the War on Poverty, let us be resolved to continue the fight so that all Americans can have the opportunity to attain the American dream.”
Congressman Al Green (TX-09):
“President Lyndon B. Johnson’s clarion call for a War on Poverty that would extend economic opportunity to all Americans is as relevant today as it was 50 years ago. According to the latest census statistics, we have 49.7 million Americans living in poverty, unable to fully attain an adequate quality of life in our great nation because of their income, their housing, and/or their education. Today, a full-time worker earning $7.25 an hour takes home just $15,080 a year, well below the 2013 federal poverty threshold of $15,510 for a family of two. This means that a full-time minimum wage worker cannot support a single child above the poverty threshold. It is time that we show our rededication to President Johnson’s War on Poverty and raise the minimum wage such that it is a living wage.”
Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa (HI-01):
“While we can rightfully celebrate the strides our nation has made in improving the lives of millions of Americans over the past 50 years, we must also remain aware of the persistent and growing challenge of poverty in our communities. Today, the fight is not only to help those who struggle to emerge from poverty, but also to ensure that families and individuals who have been hit by hard economic times do not suffer needlessly. Seniors, children, working families and the unemployed need and deserve our support. We cannot waver in our commitment to help.”
Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06):
“In the fifty years since President Johnson declared a War on Poverty in America, our nation has made great strides towards improving the lives of all Americans. The War on Poverty gave us programs that are crucial to millions of people across the country, including Medicare, Medicaid and Head Start. However, there is still much more work to be done. We must remain committed to protecting and strengthening the safety net, by maintaining vital programs such as nutrition assistance through SNAP and the Medicaid expansion that is part of the Affordable Care Act, and by moving immediately to extend unemployment insurance for 1.4 million Americans who are still seeking work.”
Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09):
“Today marks the 50th Anniversary of Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty. In 1967 the poverty rate was about 26 percent compared to only 16 percent in 2012. Studies show that absent anti-poverty programs like SNAP, unemployment insurance, housing subsidies, Head Start, earned-income tax credits, and more the poverty right would be much higher.
“Even with these critical safety nets, too many people are being squeezed out of the economy because they can’t find a job or that they have one that doesn’t provide enough to pay the bills. On the 50th Anniversary of the War on Poverty we must continue to advance education and job-training programs, as well as policies that raise the minimum wage and extend unemployment insurance to move Americans out of financial insecurity and strengthen the middle class.”
Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-14):
“On this 50th anniversary of President Lyndon Johnson War on Poverty declaration, we need to recommit ourselves to a fight that we must never raise the white flag on. Fifteen percent of Americans or almost 47 million individuals – including almost two million Asian American and Pacific Islanders - live in poverty today. AAPIs are among the hardest hit by the recession and have suffered disproportionately from long term unemployment. Instead of cutting unemployment insurance, Congress needs to focus on creating jobs and tackling income inequality. Providing help to those who continue to be harmed by the largest recession since the Great Depression is a moral and economic imperative. As President Johnson said on January 8, 1964, ‘we cannot afford to lose’ the War on Poverty. Too much is at stake.”
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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and Members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.