A JOINT RESOLUTION recognizing the fortieth anniversary of the poor people's campaign.
Whereas, in November 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the staff of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) met to discuss the direction of the civil rights movement; and
Whereas, several discussions by this group of leaders led to the creation of the Poor People's Campaign, a movement to broadly address economic inequality and poverty with nonviolent direct action; and
Whereas, it was envisioned that the Poor People's Campaign would address the plight of all Americans struggling to make a living and would be the most massive, widespread campaign of civil disobedience held; and
Whereas, Dr. King traveled across the country recruiting demonstrators for the campaign, but his efforts were tragically halted when he was assassinated on April 4, 1968; and
Whereas, to honor Dr. King, plans were made to proceed with the campaign; and
Whereas, thousands of demonstrators participated in the Poor People's March on May 12, 1968; and
Whereas, demonstrators set up a camp, known as Resurrection City, on the Washington Mall in Washington, DC; and
Whereas, the demonstrators lobbied Congress and other governmental agencies calling for an "economic bill of rights"; and
Whereas, simultaneous demonstrations were held throughout the country in support of the campaign; and
Whereas, after several weeks, the Poor People's Campaign lost momentum and closed camp on June 19, 1968; and
Whereas, despite the efforts of the Poor People's Campaign, poverty continues to be a way of life for many American citizens; and
Whereas, according to the United States Census Bureau, an estimated 25 million people were living below the federal poverty level in 1968 and an estimated 36 million people or more were living below the federal poverty level in 2006; and
Whereas, a recent survey by the Census Bureau estimated that the lowest wealth counties in North Carolina were Robeson, Halifax, Tyrrell, Columbus, Scotland, Edgecombe, Warren, Northampton, Bladen, and Washington Counties; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Department of Commerce recently ranked Tyrrell, Hyde, Washington, Gates, Alleghany, Warren, Greene, Clay, Caldwell, and Bertie Counties as the most economically distressed among the 41 designated Tier 1 counties in the State; and
Whereas, generally Tier 1 counties have higher unemployment rates, lower wages, and greater percentages of people living in poverty; and
Whereas, on the 40th anniversary of the Poor People's Campaign it is fitting to recognize the significance of the movement and to honor Dr. King and the many others who helped to bring awareness of the economic conditions of many Americans living in this country; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
SECTION 1.  The General Assembly recognizes the fortieth anniversary of the Poor People's Campaign and the significance of the movement.
SECTION 2.  The General Assembly honors the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for his contributions to the civil rights movement and the Poor People's Campaign.
SECTION 3.  This resolution is effective upon ratification.