[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E523]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             EQUAL PAY DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 3, 2001

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Equal Pay 
Day. A woman would have to work until today, April 3, 2001 in order to 
earn the same salary of her male counterparts through December 31, 
2000. Regrettably, the gap is even wider for Black and Hispanic women.
  Perhaps even more troubling than the actual disparities are the poor 
explanations used to justify the situation.
  Some blame pay inequity on women because they enter less lucrative 
professions. This assertion ignores the fact that traditionally female 
professions are purposely very underpaid. Professions such as teaching 
and nursing are undervalued and low-paying because they are 
traditionally female. Furthermore, the inequity exists within 
traditionally female fields. For example, female elementary school 
teachers still make 70 dollars a week less than men in the same 
position. Clearly, this reason is not a sound one.
  Another popular justification assumes that equal pay for women 
translates into financial disaster and instability for the American 
family. This persistent myth states that equality will rob men of their 
jobs, lure women from their children, and is unnecessary for married 
women who benefit form their husband's salary.
  Despite the calamity theories, equal pay is essential for working 
families. When we end pay discrimination against women, family incomes 
will rise. Working parents will have more to spend on household needs 
and more to save for their children's education and their own 
retirement security. Working parents may be able to spend less time at 
work and more time with their families, a very positive change for 
parents and children.
  Many excuses and theories abound, but the truth overpowers every last 
excuse. There is no justification for pay discrimination against women. 
Let's rectify pay inequity this year, and render Equal Pay Day 2002 
obsolete.

                          ____________________