[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 57 (Thursday, April 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING EQUAL PAY DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 19, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Equal Pay Day 
and to stress my commitment to closing the wage gap between men and 
women once and for all. Women are critical to our Nation's economic 
success and it is essential for us to redouble our efforts to end 
discriminatory practices in the workplace. Although many positive steps 
have been taken and much change has been effectuated, there is much 
more that can be and should be done.
  On this day, let us give attention to how the wage gap affects women, 
families and the economy. Today, more than ever, women are equal, if 
not primary, income earners in most American families. Yet women in our 
economy and our work force are still earning just 77 cents on every 
dollar paid to men. Couple the gender gap with statistics on race and 
it is even worse. African American women earn a mere 64 cents on the 
dollar, while Hispanic women receive an appalling 56 cents on the 
dollar compared to men. In states across the country, women are 
collectively losing tens of billions of dollars annually--money that 
could alleviate the financial strain countless families are facing in 
this tough economy.
  We must put an end to discriminatory practices in the workforce once 
and for all. Expanding economic opportunities for women is critical to 
building an economy that restores security for middle class families. 
We must promote such an economy by encouraging the advancement of women 
in the workforce and by rewarding their efforts equally. We must ensure 
that when a woman seeks higher employment she is able to attain it 
without being discriminated against based on her gender and more 
importantly that she receive equal pay for equal work. We must ensure 
that equal pay and equal opportunity go hand in hand with hard work in 
the twenty-first century.
  In the 1950's a sole income earner, historically a man, could support 
an entire family. Those days are long past, not ever to return. We are 
living in an era where dual incomes are not a luxury, but rather the 
necessary condition to sustain a middle class status.
  I applaud President Obama's commitment to ensuring that women are 
treated equally in the workforce and paid fairly for their work. From 
signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, to creating the National 
Equal Pay Task Force, President Obama has fought for equality for women 
in the workforce, and there is no reason why this Congress should not 
be equally committed to the cause of pay equality for women.
  In a time where women's labor force participation has increased 
dramatically and where families are becoming increasingly reliant on 
women's incomes due to the rise of living costs, it makes no sense that 
pay disparities between men and women still persist. Women should not 
have to face greater risks for income insecurity than men. The reality 
is that over the course of her lifetime, these pay discrepancies can 
cost a woman and her family up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in 
lost wages, reduced pensions, and reduced Social Security benefits. I 
call this ``gender theft.'' The Republican majority apparently believe 
this is an acceptable state of affairs.
  The statistics are very clear; we cannot have a vibrant society if 
women are not doing well. The success of American women is critical for 
the success of American families and the American economy. 
Consequently, when women face barriers to participation in the 
workplace and marketplace, it affects all Americans.
  Unfortunately, rather than concentrating on eliminating such 
discrepancies and ensuring equality, the Republican majority has 
instead been fixated on limiting women's rights and freedoms. This war 
on women is hurtful and destructive, wastes time, and makes no economic 
sense. It makes America weaker, not stronger. It certainly does not 
reflect a kinder and gentler America.
  Mr. Speaker, on this day--Equal Pay Day--let us resolve to honor 
women for the work they do to support and sustain their families. Let 
us start by paying women equally for the honorable work they do. It is 
through our hard work to ensure equal treatment of all women in the 
workforce, marketplace, and society as a whole that we can resoundingly 
voice our commitment to support American women and families.

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