Tom Harkin: “earlier this month we commemorated the 50th anniversary of President Johnson's declaration of ``unconditional war on…”

“earlier this month we commemorated the 50th anniversary of President Johnson's declaration of ``unconditional war on poverty.'' That war on poverty was a massively successful initiative. It helped tens of millions of Americans lift themselves out of poverty, reduced hardship, empowered people to build new opportunities for themselves and their future. We see some of the residue of this. Today, food stamps ensure that children do not go to bed hungry at night. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act insisted that all children, regardless of background, can learn and have an equal opportunity for education. Legal Services helps people with limited resources seek protection from exploitation. Low- income families fight poverty in their own communities by helping to lead community action agencies. The war on poverty and the Great Society encompassed a tremendous list of achievements that I cannot even begin to do justice to today. However, we know we still have more work to do. Too many of those successful programs and policies have been reduced or rolled back under subsequent Presidents and Congresses. What is more, our economy has changed and in fundamental ways, with decades of waste, stagnation, and rising income inequality. Now we must urgently turn our attention to policies that will ensure that working families can still get ahead in America.…”