[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             EQUAL PAY DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 2016

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, today is Equal Pay Day, which 
symbolizes how many additional days since the beginning of this year a 
woman had to work full-time to earn the same amount a man earned last 
year. The sad truth is that equal pay for American women remains a 
goal, not a reality.
  It is unacceptable that in the 21st century, women still earn just 79 
cents for each dollar a man earns. For women of color, the facts are 
even worse: African American women earn just 60 cents, and Latinas just 
55 cents, for each dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men.
  These pay gaps are appalling, and cannot be justified. Today, mothers 
are the breadwinners or co-breadwinners in more than half of U.S. 
households. Like men, their families depend on their salaries to pay 
for shelter, food, their children's education, and health care.
  Women merit and deserve equal pay for equal work. Congress must pass 
the Paycheck Fairness Act. This will strengthen America's families and 
our national economy as well. Let us reaffirm the simple truth that 
when women succeed, America succeeds.

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