[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 30 (Wednesday, February 15, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S2756]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I support raising the minimum wage. It 
helps working Americans improve their standard of living. It moves in 
the direction of self-sufficiency and away from welfare. It gives help 
to those who practice self-help.
  First, raising the minimum wage will certainly help increase working 
Americans' standard of living. In this country, a full-time job should 
not mean full-time poverty. The typical American family is living on 
less than it did 15 years ago. The current minimum wage of $4.25 an 
hour for a full-time year-round worker equals only $8,500 per year. 
This minimum wage is not a living wage.
  Second, increasing the minimum wage helps people move toward self-
sufficiency and away from welfare. I know that raising the minimum wage 
90 cents is not enough to lift a family above the poverty level. But, 
if a 90 cent increase to $5.15 an hour is the best we can get right 
now, then we will take it.
  Finally, raising the minimum wage will help those who practice self-
help. Two-thirds of minimum wage workers are adults over the age of 21. 
They are reliable, dedicated employees who want a chance to move up in 
society, or just to get back on their feet.
  They believe, as we all do, in the satisfaction that comes from hard 
work. They do not apologize for not making a lot of money and they are 
not looking for public hand-outs, but they certainly deserve a decent 
wage for honest work.
  Mr. President, the minimum wage is worth less than it used to be. 
Because of inflation, the value of the minimum wage has fallen by 
nearly 50 cents since 1991, and is now 27 percent lower than it was in 
1979.
  I know in the coming weeks we will see many statistics, graphs, and 
figures from supporters and opponents of raising the minimum wage. But 
in this debate, I do not want my colleagues to lose sight of the fact 
that these statistics represent people, real people who go to work 
every day so they can pay their bills, and have a decent place to live.
  These are real people, who live in Baltimore, Annapolis, Hagerstown, 
and other American cities who must choose between clothing or food for 
their kids, between medical care or heat.
  A low minimum wage contributes to the notion of ``working poor''. By 
raising the minimum wage, we give people a chance to help themselves, 
to do better for themselves and their families, and to achieve the 
American dream.
  That is why I support this legislation to help make work pay.
  

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