[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 28 (Thursday, March 6, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H772]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE WORKING FAMILIES FLEXIBILITY ACT

  (Ms. GRANGER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1, 
the Working Families Flexibility Act. Everett Dirksen once said nothing 
in the world can stop an idea whose time has come. Mr. Speaker, comp 
time is clearly such an idea.
  This is a simple and straightforward piece of legislation that allows 
employees and employers the option of choosing time off instead of 
overtime pay. In no way does this bill threaten the Fair Labor 
Standards Act, and in no way does this bill temper the rights of 
employees.
  This is simply a bill which provides an option to help America's 
workers become full-time parents as well as full-time employees. Why do 
so many working men and women across America support comp time? They 
support comp time because it affords them choice.
  For the mother of three working 40 hours a week, comp time means the 
choice to take time off and see her daughter's school play. For the 
father who is raising kids by himself, comp time means the choice to 
coach his son's little league team. And for the children of the 90's, 
comp time means a chance to spend more time with the two most important 
figures in their lives, their moms and dads.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1 as a means to an 
end. The means will be more choice for parents on how to manage their 
time, but more importantly, the end will be thousands of healthier, 
happier families. When this bill comes to the floor, I urge my 
colleagues to support it.

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