[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E93-E94]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                LILLY LEDBETTER FAIR PAY ACT ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2012

  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, this weekend we celebrated an 
important anniversary in our nation's history.
  Three years ago, only nine days after taking the oath of office, 
President Barack Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into 
law. It was the first bill he signed into law as President, solidifying 
this Administration's commitment to women's equality.
  I met Lilly Ledbetter during a Judiciary Committee hearing in 2007. 
She told us then how after working at her company for more than twenty 
years, she learned of the long-standing pay discrimination against her 
based on gender. Unfortunately, this type of workplace discrimination 
occurs all too frequently across our country. Women still make just 
three-quarters of a man's salary for the same work. Fortunately, for 
women all across the country, Lilly Ledbetter found out about the 
discrimination carried out against her and took action.
  As a result of her courage and strength, President Obama and the 
Democratic-led Congress passed this important piece of legislation that 
protects women and addresses a critical aspect of the wage gap in our 
country.
  The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act closes numerous loopholes and 
clarifies that an employee is discriminated against each and every time 
she receives an unfair paycheck. It also makes modest, common-sense 
reforms that hold employers accountable for their actions.

[[Page E94]]

  But our fight is not over. We have a long way to go until women reach 
true wage equality, which is why we must support legislation like the 
Paycheck Fairness Act, which builds on previous efforts and continues 
to address wage disparities.
  Lilly's story is proof that progress can be made on this front, and 
just as importantly, she is a testament to how one person can create a 
lasting legacy of change.
  Today, we celebrate Lily Ledbetter's courage by commemorating the 
anniversary of this essential legislation becoming law, and by 
remembering that in America, one person can make a difference.

                          ____________________