[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 46 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H3176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            LET US REWARD WORK AND INCREASE THE MINIMUM WAGE

  (Ms. DeLAURO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, today's New York Times reports that 1995 
was a very good year for the heads of corporations. According to the 
report, their median salary and cash bonuses rose to more than $2 
million. That is $2 million a year in compensation.
  Since 1990, corporate salaries have been rising at a fast clip of 9 
percent per year, while wages and salaries of the Nation's workers are 
dead in the water, going nowhere. Hard-working families in America are 
scrambling to figure out how to find the money to pay their bills. 
Yesterday we had an opportunity to do something for those families, and 
instead, this House turned its back. At a time when corporate CEO's 
average $2 million a year, when Members of this Congress earn over 
$130,000 a year, House Republicans yesterday killed an attempt to raise 
the minimum wage by 90 cents, just 90 cents. It is shameful.
  This Monday is the anniversary of the last increase in the minimum 
wage, which is now at a 40-year low. America needs a raise. Let us 
reward work and increase the minimum wage.

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