[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 109 (Friday, June 30, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H6682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 A FAIR DAY'S PAY FOR A FAIR DAY'S WORK

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Filner] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 363, 
a bill that would increase the Federal minimum wage from $4.25 to $5.50 
an hour, and equally important, automatically adjust the wage up or 
down annually as indexed for inflation.
  Historically, our Nation's lowest wage earning positions were 
reserved for new immigrants and the young. Both of these groups, 
especially with increased education, could expect to advance in our 
society. But as Bob Dylan used to sing, ``the times, they are a 
changin.'' Indeed, the times are changing. No longer are the lowest 
paying jobs occupied solely by the young and uneducated; they are held 
by parents, seniors, students supporting themselves, and millions of 
other Americans.
  The minimum wage labor force has drastically changed over the past 
decade. What was once a mere passageway to the ``American Dream,'' 
minimum wage jobs have become a permanent way of life for an increasing 
number of citizens. Today, nearly 50 percent of working Americans earn 
the minimum wage. Not only do many of these working people have college 
diplomas and master's degrees--but most have to support families on 
their minimum wage.
  Now, more than ever, we need to pass legislation that will allow 
working Americans to earn a real and meaningful income. We have all 
heard the arguments that unemployment and inflation will increase with 
a higher minimum wage. These arguments are completely unfounded, as 
shown by study after study done in a wide variety of areas that have 
increased their minimum wage. A higher minimum wage stimulates our 
economy because it allows more consumer needs to be met.
  Each day that the minimum wage remains at its current low level, the 
real buying power of that wage decreases. In order for workers to 
remain above the poverty level, they would have to be earning over $6 
an hour. Do we want to condemn so many working people to poverty?
  Mr. Speaker, hard working Americans deserve the security and 
stability that come with being able to provide for oneself and one's 
family. Let's raise the minimum wage, let's index it automatically for 
inflation, and let's give every working American the promise for a 
better tomorrow.

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