[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 46 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH: CONTRIBUTIONS TO A STRONGER, MORE PROSPEROUS 
                                ECONOMY

                                 ______


                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 29, 1996

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, as we celebrate Women's 
History Month, to honor the contributions of women to our economy as 
part of the labor force and as business owners around the country and 
especially in the State of New Jersey.
  In some ways, the facts speak for themselves. The number of women in 
the paid work force has almost doubled in the last 20 years. Women in 
the work force grew from 36.2 million in 1974 to 60.2 million in 1994.
  There are many talented women that are making enormous contributions 
to business and industry in the State of New Jersey. During a recent 
series of visits to companies located in the 11th district of New 
Jersey, I had the opportunity to meet and speak with many women who 
have risen or are climbing to the top positions and management in their 
respective companies.
  In addition to those outstanding women in corporations, the State of 
New Jersey is ranked ninth in the Nation in the total number of women-
owned businesses with a recent total of 164,798. I am especially 
encouraged because this number increased in my own State by 40 percent 
over a period of 5 years.
  Nationally, women are starting businesses at twice the rate of men 
and the Small Business Administration anticipates that women will own 
50 percent of all small businesses in America in the 21st century. 
These women-owned businesses employ more people than all Fortune 500 
firms combined. Women employers are also bringing more than their 
economic achievements to the workplace; they influence and change the 
workplace for all employees by being more likely to offer flexible work 
arrangements, child care and heath care benefits.
  As women continue to make their mark in the workplace as employers 
and employees they face many challenges--access to child care, pay 
equity, educational opportunities, and access to capital and investors. 
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor these achievements. As our economy 
continues to change and we face new challenges as we enter the 21st 
century, I believe we can count on these entrepreneurs and executives 
to help lead the way to a stronger and more prosperous America.

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