[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 48 (Thursday, April 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             EQUAL PAY DAY

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                         HON. YVETTE D. CLARKE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 11, 2013

  Ms. CLARKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my support of the Equal 
Pay Day, April 9, 2013, which recognized the critical disparity between 
the working wages between men and women.
  Women have come so far in our society and make up 50 percent of the 
workforce by contributing their skills and experiences that drive our 
economy, making it the most dynamic in the world. But, women are not 
worth their work according to their wages and the services they 
provide. On average, we still earn 77 cents for every dollar earned by 
men. For a woman working full time, the current wage gap represents a 
loss of $430,000 over the course of her career.
  There are many women in my district who are the sole providers for 
their family. They act as the mother and the father rearing their 
family and struggling to put food on the table and a roof over their 
heads.
  One of our top priorities should be closing the wage gap. By doing 
so, the middle class will be stronger and struggling Americans will 
have the support they need. I am a proud sponsor of the Equal Pay Day 
Resolution and urge my colleagues to become a cosponsor.

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