LEGISLATIVE, RESOLUTION honoring Dr. Frances Fox Piven upon the occasion
of the 40th Anniversary of the publication of REGULATING THE POOR: THE
FUNCTIONS OF PUBLIC WELFARE

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that individuals who
distinguish themselves in their profession and who have dedicated their
lives to improving the lives of others merit the highest commendation;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to pay trib-
ute to Dr. Frances Fox Piven, Distinguished Professor of Political
Science and Sociology at the CUNY Graduate Center, upon the occasion of
the 40th Anniversary of the publication of REGULATING THE POOR: THE
FUNCTIONS OF PUBLIC WELFARE, her groundbreaking book on social policy in
the United States; and
WHEREAS, REGULATING THE POOR: THE FUNCTIONS OF PUBLIC WELFARE, remains
a pioneering social analysis of the Great Depression and the social
upheaval of the 1960s, co-authored by Dr. Piven with her late husband,
Richard Cloward; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Piven has dedicated her life to making sure all Americans
have work, food on the table, and above all a voice in our democracy;
over the past half century, she has written more than ten books and
countless articles exploring the causes of poverty in the United States,
the government's role in alleviating economic suffering, and the power
of working people to join together to gain a voice in the corridors of
power; and
WHEREAS, She has put her principles into action as well, leading
efforts to expand voting rights, access to the social safety net, and
the ability of all Americans to make their voices heard; and
WHEREAS, Putting her ideals into practice, Dr. Piven, and her husband
Richard Cloward, worked to fight for greater access to services for the
poor; her efforts were instrumental in enabling needy people to receive
federal aid; and
WHEREAS, In the 1980s, Dr. Piven was a leader in the movement to
expand access to the ballot box to traditionally disenfranchised groups,
including the poor, African Americans, and immigrants; her movement was
a driving force behind the passage of the National Voter Registration
Act of 1993, also known as the "Motor Voter Act," which requires all
social services agencies, including public assistance and disability
centers, as well as Departments of Motor Vehicles, to offer voter regis-
tration forms to the public; and
WHEREAS, When President Bill Clinton signed the bill into law at a
White House ceremony in 1993, Dr. Piven spoke and was honored to receive
one of the pens the President used to sign the bill as a testament to
her key role in the law's passage; her work expanding access to the
ballot box also earned her the National Association of Secretaries'
Annual Award in 1994; and
WHEREAS, Since 1982, Dr. Piven has taught in the Political Science and
Sociology Departments at The City University of New York Graduate Center
and, for the past 30 years, she has served as a mentor to countless New
Yorkers who have taken their place as productive educators and scholars
in the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, In keeping with its time-honored traditions, this Legislative
Body is proud to honor individuals, such as Dr. Frances Fox Piven, who
distinguish themselves in their chosen field of endeavor, dedicating
themselves to its enhancement and leading it in new directions; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Frances Fox Piven upon the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of
the publication of her important work REGULATING THE POOR: THE FUNCTIONS
OF PUBLIC WELFARE; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dr. Frances Fox Piven.