[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 44 (Tuesday, April 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E601]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN HONOR OF EQUAL PAY DAY, APRIL 3, 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 21, 1998

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize the 
Coalition of Labor Union Women as they join together to raise awareness 
of Equal Pay Day. Their dedication to fair wages in the work place 
deserves to be commended.
  Throughout America's history, men, women, and children have fought 
for fair and equitable treatment in the workplace. Advocates for child 
labor laws and unions have fought to protect workers' bargaining 
rights, wages, and working conditions. However, women are still subject 
to workplace discrimination where their wages are concerned. On an 
average, women earn 74 cents for every dollar a man earns. This results 
in a loss of over a quarter of a million dollars throughout a 30-year 
career, a loss that not only affects weekly paychecks but also 
retirement.
  The Equal Pay Act of 1963 in conjunction with the Civil Rights Act of 
1964 prohibits wage discrimination for equal or substantially equal 
work on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, and national origin. 
However, to the detriment of the worker, wage laws are not strictly 
enforced and discrimination suits are difficult to prove.
  As communities, families, friends and colleagues, we must all work 
together to fight for fair wages for all working people. All Americans 
have the right to equitable pay regardless of their race or sex. Thanks 
to organizations such as the Coalition of Labor Union Women, this issue 
will not go unnoticed. I ask my colleagues to join me in lending their 
support for fair wages for women.

                          ____________________