Page 9 - History of Community Action - Module 1.final1_1_Neat
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Economic Opportunity Act of 1964
• In February 1964, Johnson charged Sargent Shriver, an American diplomat
and politician, with drafting the legislation that would serve the Great
Society. Thus, the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (EOA) was passed
and signed on August 20, 1964.
• The EOA was enacted and served “by opening to everyone the
opportunity for education and training, the opportunity to work, and the
opportunity to live in decency and dignity”. (Economic Opportunity Act of
1964; Public Law 88-452)
• Johnson then asked Shriver to serve him in setting up the new Office of
Economic Opportunity.
