[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 32 (Thursday, February 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      INTRODUCTION OF THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ENHANCEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 2003

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, ten years ago this month, President 
Clinton signed into law the Family and Medical Leave Act (PL 103-3), 
legislation that allows employees to take time off from work to care 
for a new baby or sick family member. Because of this landmark 
legislation, more than 35 million Americans have been able to take 
unpaid leave without the risk of losing their jobs.
  Today, I am introducing the Family and Medical Leave Enhancement Act. 
Building upon the success of the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act 
(FMLA), this legislation would allow more people to benefit from FMLA 
by allowing employees in companies with more than 25 employees to take 
Family and Medical Leave and would extend employee leave for workers to 
meet their family's needs. The legislation includes 24 hours of leave 
(during any 12-month period) for parents and grandparents to go to 
parent-teacher conferences or to take their children, grandchildren or 
other family members to the doctor for regular medical or dental 
appointments.
  Currently, the FMLA allows qualified workers to take up to 12 weeks 
of unpaid leave to care for newborns, seek emergency medical care for 
themselves, parents, children under 18 or a legal spouse. My 
legislation would add commonsense enhancements to FMLA.
  In 1997, this legislative measure was supported by President Bill 
Clinton. In February 1997, President Clinton said, ``I call upon 
Congress to expand the family leave law to give parents an additional 
24 hours of unpaid leave each year to take a child or an elderly 
relative to a regular doctor's appointment or to attend parent-teacher 
conferences at school. In so doing, we'll make our families stronger 
and our workers more productive, building the kind of country and 
economy we all want for our children.''
  On behalf of America's families, I urge my fellow colleagues to join 
me in support of the Family and Medical Leave Enhancement Act.

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