[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 53 (Tuesday, April 23, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H3664-H3665]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of May 
12, 1995, the gentleman from Puerto Rico [Mr. Romero-Barcelo] is 
recognized during morning business for 4 minutes.
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the 
Democratic efforts to raise the Federal minimum wage. I am proud to 
have joined in sponsoring legislation which was introduced in February 
of last year to raise the minimum wage by 90 cents. I am chagrined that 
over the last 14 months minimum wage opponents have prevented this 
legislation even getting a hearing.
  When Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Co., it was his philosophy to 
pay his workers well enough that they could afford to buy the products 
they were making. It made sense then and it continues to make sense 
now. An underpaid labor force cannot provide the consumer demand which 
is necessary to the long-term strength of our economy. Increased 
poverty ultimately brings harm to all sectors of our economy, not just 
the poor.
  A 90-cent increase in the minimum wage will add $1,800 to the annual 
earnings of a minimum wage worker. To

[[Page H3665]]

them and their families, $1,800 can and will make a significant 
difference in their ability to meaningfully participate in the American 
dream.
  For an average family, $1,800 is enough to buy 1 year of health-care 
costs. We in Congress have struggled with the difficulties and expense 
of providing adequate health care to those who cannot afford their own. 
We know the tax cost to individuals and businesses when government must 
step in to provide healthcare benefits to the needy. The minimum wage 
is part of the solution.
  For the average family, $1,800 is enough to buy 7 months of 
groceries. Businesses cannot prosper when their employees' productivity 
is impaired by malnutrition. Children will not learn in school if they 
are not receiving regular, healthy meals at home. The minimum wage is 
part of the solution.
  For the average family, $1,800 is enough to pay basic housing costs 
for almost 4 months. Is there anything which is more important to a 
family's well-being and dignity, and a workers' productivity, than 
adequate housing? The minimum wage is part of the solution.
  At a 2-year college, $1,800 is enough to pay for more than a full-
year's tuition. The changes in the American economy over the last two 
decades have left no doubt that only through education and training can 
American workers hope to better the lot for themselves and their 
children. Only with a large pool of well-trained workers can American 
industry compete with foreign companies. The minimum wage is part of 
the solution.
  Contrary to the disingenuous claims of minimum wage opponents, the 
typical minimum wage worker is not a teenager flipping burgers after 
school to earn a little extra money to spend at the mall. The typical 
minimum wage worker is an adult woman, working full-time, and 
supporting at least one child in her household. She is working 
increasing hours in her struggle to support her family and to avoid 
having to rely on the government for her child's next meal.
  Recent studies suggest that 300,000 people would be lifted out of 
poverty if the minimum wage is raised to $5.15 per hour. This figure 
includes 100,000 children who are currently living in poverty.
  We have allowed the minimum wage to drop to its lowest value in 40 
years. In 1979, the minimum wage was the equivalent of about $6 per 
hour in 1996 dollars. It is now only $4.25. We have allowed this 
decline to happen, not during a time when our economy is suffering, but 
during a time when corporate profits, executive salaries, and the stock 
market are at record highs.
  A 90-cent increase can make the difference between a family living in 
dignity and a family living in poverty. It can make the difference 
between a family being able to afford adequate health care and a family 
having to rely on woefully inadequate public health programs. It can 
make the difference between a family being able to improve its lot by 
participating in available educational opportunities and a family 
doomed to a downward economic spiral.
  Henry Ford's philosophy of paying his workers enough to allow them to 
buy his products is still a good philosophy. America must pay its 
workers enough for them to be able to buy a dignified place in our 
economy.
  I urge my colleagues to support raising the minimum wage to $5.15 an 
hour. Millions of hard working Americans who deserve a better life will 
appreciate our leadership.

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