[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 74 (Wednesday, June 10, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S6033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EQUAL PAY ACT

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, 35 years ago, President Kennedy took the 
bold first step to secure equal pay for women. Although there has been 
much progress since 1963, women continue to earn less than men. That is 
why we mut take action to improve and strengthen President Kennedy's 
landmark law and ensure that America's working women and families are 
paid the wages they deserve.
  In 1963, President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act prohibiting 
employers from paying women less than men for the same job. Knowing 
that the legislation was merely a first step in the right direction, 
President Kennedy noted that ``much remains to be done to achieve full 
equality of economic opportunity.''
  While the Equal Pay Act prohibited discrimination against women in 
terms of wages, substantial pay disparities continue to exist. Women 
still earn, on average, only 74 cents to a man's dollar.
  That's why fair pay continues to be a major issue for American women 
and working families. In fact, the dramatic increase in the number of 
women in the work force and the number of families who depend on 
women's earnings make fair pay a matter of justice and necessity now 
more than ever. My state of South Dakota has the highest percentage in 
the nation of working mothers with children under the age of 6. These 
families need and deserve both parents to be paid fairly for an honest 
day's work. Now is the time to take another step toward fair pay and 
equal treatment for all people.
  Last year, I introduced the Paycheck Fairness Act to address the 
glaring inequities between men's and women's earnings. The bill seeks 
to eliminate the wage gap by beefing up enforcement of the Equal Pay 
Act, increasing penalties for pay discrimination, and lifting the gag 
rule imposed by many employees who forbid employees from discussing 
their wages with their co-workers. The bill would also ensure that 
employers who make real strides in establishing fair and equal 
workplaces would be recognized and celebrated.
  As we commemorate the 35th anniversary of the passage of the Equal 
Pay Act, I join my colleagues, the President, and the Vice President in 
calling on Congress to schedule a vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act, 
and renew our efforts to advance the principles of equal pay for equal 
work. Through the Paycheck Fairness Act, Democrats honor and continue 
President Kennedy's legacy of equality for a better workplace economy, 
and country.

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