[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 23 (Monday, February 6, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H1219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE MANY FACES OF POVERTY

  (Mr. HILLARD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute, and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HILLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in favor of increasing the 
minimum wage for the working poor, a group of individuals who are 
helping themselves but because of inflation and laws passed by 
governing bodies, including this body, their wages have been eroded 
over the years. We must raise the minimum wage.
  Families headed by women are much more likely to be poor and for a 
longer period of time. For example, 35 percent of families headed by 
women, as compared to 7 percent of two-parent households, fell below 
the poverty level in a given month in 1990.
  These are the working poor, a group of individuals who have rejected 
welfare and who are trying hard to make it. We must take them out of 
poverty. An increase in the minimum wage is only the first step.

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