[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 53 (Tuesday, April 23, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E602]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN SUPPORT OF DECENT WAGES FOR WORKING AMERICANS

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                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 23, 1996

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, America needs to live up to its pledge of 
being one nation that will provide every American an opportunity to 
earn a decent living. In today's society there can be no advancement 
without a decent job and a decent wage. Under the leadership of the 
current Republican majority, the Congress has veered away from this 
pledge to working Americans who are most in need of fair pay for a job 
well done.
  For months, Democrats have been pushing for a modest 90-cent increase 
in the minimum wage. When House Democrats called for a vote on a 
reasonable increase in the minimum wage on March 28, Republicans abused 
House procedures to stop a Democratic effort to increase the minimum 
wage.
  For working Clevelanders, the proposed Democratic minimum wage 
increase could provide families as much as 7 months of groceries, a 
year of health care costs, 9 months of utility bills or 4 months of 
housing. Despite the fact that Republicans have pledged to fight an 
increase in the minimum wage I will continue to fight for the raise in 
pay Clevelanders deserve.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, we all should be aware of the fact that it's 
been 5 years since America's minimum wage workers got a raise. The 
minimum wage provides reasonable living for some of America's most 
productive citizens. The time has come for Members of Congress to take 
this one small step toward economic justice--raising the minimum wage.

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