Assembly Resolution No. 48

BY: M. of A. Lupardo

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
January 2017, as Poverty Awareness Month in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
issues that affect the lives of residents of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim January 2017, as
Poverty Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of National Poverty in America Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, In 2010, the United States House of Representatives
expressed support for the designation of the month of January as Poverty
in America Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Over three million New Yorkers live in poverty including
900,000 children and 325,000 senior citizens; and

WHEREAS, In New York State, the poverty rate is 15.6% for children
under 18, 11.4% for Senior Citizens age 65 and older; and

WHEREAS, Families with female heads of households and children
present have a 38.4% poverty rate; and

WHEREAS, Demographically, 11.3% of White, 23.5% of African American,
and 25.9% of Hispanic New Yorkers live in poverty; and

WHEREAS, Based on educational attainment, those without a degree
have a 28.8% poverty rate, those with a high school diploma have a 14.9%
poverty rate, those with an associate's degree have a 10.6% poverty
rate, and those with a bachelor's degree or higher have a 5.2% poverty
rate; and

WHEREAS, Rising levels of poverty and economic hardship have a
severe impact on the overall well-being of children and senior citizens;
and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious issue, and more must be done to eradicate poverty at the
local, State and national levels; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim January 2017, as
Poverty Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of National Poverty in America Awareness Month; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.