[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 77 (Thursday, May 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E955]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               EMPLOYEE COMMUTING FLEXIBILITY ACT OF 1996

                                 ______


                               speech of

                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 22, 1996

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the minimum wage 
increase amendment to H.R. 1227, the Employee Commuting Flexibility 
Act. If America is to live up to its pledge of being a great nation 
that will provide every individual citizen an opportunity to earn a 
decent living, we must raise the minimum wage. An increase in the 
minimum wage is the primary means of helping working Americans in 
today's society.
  The current Federal minimum wage of $4.25 per hour is at its lowest 
level in real terms in nearly 40 years. This devaluation of the minimum 
wage has kept millions of our Nation's workers at the poverty level. 
The loss of buying power is contributing to the growth of an 
underprivileged and underpaid class in America.
  The 10 million Americans working at minimum wage would take home 
another $1,800 a year if we approve this 90 cent increase for American 
workers. The Department of Health and Human Services estimates that if 
we raise the minimum wage, as many as 300,000 families could be lifted 
above the poverty line, including over 100,000 children.
  Over 66 percent of minimum wage workers are adults and 40 percent of 
these adults are the sole providers for their families. Yet, despite 
these facts, detractors have charged that an increase would primarily 
benefit teens living at home.
  IN 1989, the Congress faced a situation similar to the debate we now 
face. The minimum wage in 1989 was $3.35 and its real value had fallen 
to its lowest level since 1955. Legislation was passed and signed by 
President Bush to increase the minimum wage by 90 cents. This 
legislation was supported on a bipartisan basis. It is time once again 
for Congress to step forward and protect the earning power of those at 
the bottom of the wage scale by raising the minimum wage.
  Mr. Speaker, it's been 5 years since America's minimum wage workers 
got a raise. The proposed minimum wage is a logical step in our efforts 
to enable families to be productive and self-supporting. The time has 
come for Members of Congress to take this one small step toward 
economic justice. I urge my colleagues to raise the minimum wage.

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