[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 39 (Monday, April 3, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H1659-H1660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
INCREASING THE MINIMUM WAGE
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). Under a previous order of the
House, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jones) is recognized for
5 minutes.
Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, several weeks ago the
House debated, and passed, a bill to increase the minimum wage.
Unfortunately, I was unable to get to the floor to participate in the
debate. But I want to revisit the issue today, so that I can share with
you a constituent letter I received from a small business owner in
Kinston, North Carolina.
Madam Speaker, Ken Moore is an example of an entrepreneur who,
without interference from the government, started a business with a
single restaurant in 1991, and now has 39 locations throughout Eastern
North Carolina. And along the way, he has shared his success by
extending opportunities to his employees.
When Mr. Moore learned that the House would be debating a minimum
wage increase, he sent me a letter to share how the mandate would
affect his small business and communities throughout Eastern North
Carolina. I wanted to share part of his letter with the Congress.
Madam Speaker, Mr. Moore wrote, and I quote:
Congressman Jones:
I started Andy's in March of 1991 in Goldsboro, North
Carolina. As of today, we have grown to 39 locations
throughout Eastern North Carolina and have another six
locations under construction.
The reason for our success has always been because we give
our hourly associates the opportunity to own an Andy's
restaurant. We have never looked for outside investors,
preferring to train our people and give them the opportunity
to operate and eventually own their business. We call this
``starting at the minimum and earning the maximum.'' We now
have many success stories throughout our company achieved
through this philosophy.
The unfunded mandate of minimum wage put in place by
Washington will hurt our business, associates, and neighbors
in Eastern North Carolina.
We conducted a survey of nearly 700 employees and found
only two earning minimum wage that were the primary wage
earners for their family. These happen to be single moms who
already receive some government assistance.
Two out of the 700 makes a mockery out of the political
line that families can't exist on minimum wage. The much-
touted family of four making minimum wage and trying to
subsist doesn't exist, at least not within Andy's.
We don't believe that America is about handouts, but is
based on hard work and persistence. These are the values we
strive to teach our associates.
An increase in the minimum wage will mean an increase in
prices, something which I don't want to do. Minimum wage
increases invariably cause us to lay some people off and
delay hiring new folks. This is sad, but simply the truth.
I would like all politicians in favor of increasing the
minimum wage to simply tell the truth. Increasing the minimum
wage is a tax increase, period.
Madam Speaker, I will include the entire text of the letter in the
Record.
Madam Speaker, Ken Moore is just one of thousands of small business
owners across this country, who recognize the effects an increase in
the minimum wage will have on their businesses, and their communities.
I appreciate the opportunity to share Mr. Moore's story. Because I
believe that his concerns are shared by many small business owners
across the country.
The Little Mint, Inc.,
Kinston, NC, March 7, 2000.
Re Minimum wage increase.
To: Walter B. Jones, Jr.
From: Kenneth K. Moore
I started Andy's in March of 1991 in Goldsboro, NC. As of
today we have grown to 39 locations throughout Eastern NC and
have another 6 locations under construction. The reason for
our success has always been because we give our hourly
associates the opportunity to own an Andy's restaurant. We
have never looked for outside investors, preferring to train
our people and give them the opportunity to operate and
eventually own their business. We call this ``starting at the
minimum and earning the maximum.'' We now have many success
stories throughout our company achieved through this
philosophy.
Eastern NC is a rural area that has been through much
during the past year. We have been rocked by hurricanes and
floods during their aftermath. Our home is not a wealthy
area. However, our people are the salt of the earth and work
very hard to pay taxes and raise good children.
Eastern NC economy is predominately agriculturally based
and with tobacco taking a beating in the press and in
Washington many farmers have turned to pork production. Our
state government has now placed a moratorium on that. At
Andy's, we understand our neighbor's plight and have only
raised prices in our stores twice in 9 years. Both times have
been due to minimum wage increases. As you can tell, we are
trying to do our part.
The unfunded mandate of minimum wage put in place by
Washington will hurt our businesses, associates, and
neighbors in Eastern NC. We conducted a survey of nearly our
700 employees and found only 2 earning minimum wage that were
the primary wage earners for their family. These happen to be
single moms who already receive some government assistance.
Two out of the 700 makes a mockery out of the political line
that families can't exist on minimum wage. The much-touted
family of four making minimum wage and trying to subsist
doesn't exist, at least not within Andy's.
Andy's has had very little employee turnover because we
give people the opportunity to grow. Even the teenagers who
comprise the vast amount of our minimum wage earners don't
leave us. We have a yearly banquet at which we strive to
inspire and motivate them to grow into solid citizens. We
give scholarships and awards. We also continued to pay our
minimum wage earners after the restaurants were flooded in
the wake of Hurricane Floyd. All we asked them to do was to
volunteer to help out in their local shelters. We teach our
young people that there is already an increase in the minimum
wage. It is called doing a good job!
We don't believe that America is about handouts but is
based on hard work and persistence. These are the values we
strive to teach our associates. An increase in the minimum
wage will mean an increase in prices, something which I don't
want to do. Minimum wage increases invariably cause us to lay
some people off and delay hiring new folks. This is sad, but
simply the truth.
I would like all politicians in favor of increasing the
minimum wage to simply tell the truth. Increasing the minimum
wage is a tax increase, period. The increase is simply
another way for the government to make 15.6 cents on every
dollar. If you truly want to help teenagers make more money,
then waive the playoff taxes on the increase. If the truth be
told the increase makes for great reelection material,
doesn't it?
I remember a young lady who worked for me when I first
started my business some years ago. She is now an elementary
school teacher and a wonderful person. I saw her not long ago
and we reminisced about a Chrismas Party we had in my
original location in 1993. I didn't have the money for
Christmas gifts for my small crew, so I gave each one a card
with a personal note. As I was reminding her of this she
stopped me
[[Page H1660]]
and reached for her purse, opening her wallet and produced
the note from that night (6 years later). I wonder if she
would have saved a pay stub with a minimum wage increase?
Folks, there is more to running a business than a lot of
you may think. With an increase in wages, hiring will cease,
and perhaps we will not be able to touch the life of some
young person as I did years ago. I live and work in Eastern
NC and I am proud to do business here. Please let me do it my
way. Our friends, neighbors, and associates live in towns
with names such as Beulaville, Kenansville, Mt. Olive,
Kinston and Grifton, not Camelot.
Thanks,
Kenneth K. Moore,
President/Founder.
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