‘Unfortunately, many Americans live on the outskirts of hope – some because of their poverty, and some because of their color, and all too many because of both. Our task is to help replace their despair with opportunity.’ – President Lyndon B. Johnson

“It’s been 54 years since those words rang out during President Lyndon B. Johnson’s State of the Union address on Jan. 8, 1964, when he declared a War on Poverty. Initiatives spurred by this declaration, like Medicaid and Medicare, have had a profound effect on American society, affirming the belief that each and every person deserves to live a life of dignity and security. And although progress has undoubtedly been made in the War on Poverty, the battles wage on, especially with a federal administration intent on draining funding from crucial anti-poverty programs.

“Like President Johnson, I believe in not only alleviating the symptoms of poverty, but in doing everything we can to prevent it. We know that the key to breaking the vicious cycle of poverty starts with stronger schools, better health care, access to affordable housing and more job opportunities. That’s why we’ve taken important steps like increasing the minimum wage, creating community schools and raising the age of criminal responsibility to give young people a better chance to turn their lives around. Further, we were the first state to implement President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative to address the opportunity gaps faced by young men of color, and we also created the Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative to combat poverty in every corner of the state.

“So, as we mark the anniversary of the War on Poverty, you can rest assured I’ll be fighting on the frontlines to make life better and restore hope for more New Yorkers.”