[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 77 (Thursday, May 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      INCREASE OF THE MINIMUM WAGE

                                 ______


                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 30, 1996

  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, the minimum wage and efforts to increase it, 
have been focus of many inaccurate comments by Members in the 
Republican majority. Some have said that there are no heads of 
households supporting families on a minimum wage. Others have 
proclaimed, an increase in the minimum wage would cause jobs to 
decrease for low-skilled workers.
  Mr. Speaker, the truth is--an increase in the minimum wage is the 
only way working Americans will be able to sustain decent living for 
themselves. The truth is--that 12 million Americans, most of them 
women, would benefit from the minimum wage increase. The truth is--that 
a raise in the minimum wage is the least this Congress can do for 
Americans, after cuts in education, Medicare, school lunches, and 
environmental protections.
  The fact that we are even having a debate on the merits of a minimum 
wage increase shows that the majority cares little for those who are 
struggling. The majority feels the need to debate the merits of a bill 
that will provide extra pay that would mean 7 months of groceries, a 
year of health care costs, 9 months of utility bills or 4 months of 
housing.
  We must stand strong for those who have the least. We must fight for 
those who are trying to better their situations through good, honest, 
hard work. We must be sure that a minimum wage is truly a living wage. 
Since businesses are enjoying record profits, we must ensure that 
profits are shared with the persons who made the records possible.