[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 6, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE 4TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LILLY LEDBETTER FAIR PAY ACT

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                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 6, 2013

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the progress we've 
made in ensuring equal pay for equal work, and the 4th year anniversary 
of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Lilly Ledbetter performed equal 
work but received less pay than her male colleagues at Goodyear. 
Despite experiencing pay discrimination over the course of her career, 
Ledbetter was barred by the Supreme Court from challenging her 
discriminatory pay because she did not pursue legal action soon enough.
  Fortunately, this is no longer the case. On January 29, 2009, 
President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law. This 
law restored an employee's right to challenge pay discrimination. Women 
today have the right to pursue legal action for pay discrimination 
whenever it occurs.
  Despite this victory, challenges still remain for women receiving 
equal pay for equal work as evidenced by the pay gap that still exists. 
Today, women are paid only 77 cents to every dollar made by men. And 
for women of color, that number falls even lower. African American 
women receive 68 cents and Hispanic women 59 cents to every dollar 
earned by men. This pay disparity not only affects women during their 
careers, but follows them into retirement as they receive lower 
pensions and Social Security benefits based on receiving lower wages 
than they deserved.
  Although today we take a moment to celebrate the restoration of the 
right to challenge pay discrimination, now more than ever, we must 
strengthen our resolve to ensure equal pay for equal work. Eliminating 
pay discrimination not only benefits women--it benefits families. In 
most American households today, women are either the sole breadwinner 
or essential co-breadwinner. Those families rely on women's income to 
meet the daily needs of the family--including groceries, rent, and 
medical care. As we celebrate the 4th anniversary of this important 
law, we must commit to passing the Paycheck Fairness Act now to take 
another major step in ensuring equal pay for equal work.

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