[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 23 (Monday, February 6, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H1220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

  (Mr. KLINK asked as was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KLINK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today also to talk about the increase 
in the minimum wage.
  I was talking to a woman from my district on Friday. She said, 
``Congressman Klink, I don't want to be forced to go on welfare.'' And 
then she listed off the expenses that she would have to pay when she 
goes to work, with child care and with her rent and with food and with 
transportation costs.
  And she said, ``for $4.25, I can't afford to go to work; I don't want 
to go on welfare.''
  In fact, that is the position so many people find themselves in. They 
want the pride of going to work each day, of having sweat on their brow 
at the end of the day and talking about a job well done. They want to 
get some discipline back in their lives again. But at $4.25 an hour, 
they just cannot afford to do that.
  I think it is among Members of this House and the other body also to 
say to people that $4.25 an hour is not a livable wage and to increase 
the minimum wage of this Nation.

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