LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim January 2016 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 memori-
alize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim January 2016 as Poverty
Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the obser-
vance 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 Ameri-
ca 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 15.9%: 22.6% for chil-
dren under 18, 11.7% for Senior Citizens age 65 and older, 40.1% of
Hispanic children, 33.1% of African American children, 26.3% of Asian
children, and 18.6% of white children all live below the poverty line;
and
WHEREAS, Families with female heads of households and children present
have a 39.2% poverty rate; and
WHEREAS, Demographically, 11.5% of White, 23.2% 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 29.6% poverty rate, those with a high school diploma have a 15.6%
poverty rate, those with an associate's degree have an 11.3% poverty
rate, and those with a bachelor's degree or higher have a 5.4% 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 2016 as Poverty
Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the obser-
vance of National Poverty in America Awareness Month; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.