[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 10, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H5308-H5309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    WOMEN'S WORLD CUP AND EQUAL PAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Green of Texas). The Chair recognizes 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Costa) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the United 
States Women's National Soccer Team on their World Cup victory in 
France.
  For weeks, America's women's soccer team has captivated the 
imagination

[[Page H5309]]

and the enthusiasm of not only America's soccer world, but much of that 
throughout the entire globe.
  Their performance over the past few weeks leaves no doubt that they 
are the best team in the world, but their victory Sunday is a stinging 
reminder that members of the team are being paid much less than their 
male counterparts.
  With four World Cup titles, four Olympic Gold Medals, and a long 
history of dominance, they are the most successful team in the history 
of women's soccer--more successful on the world stage than the United 
States men's, their counterparts.
  And what we are really talking about here is an issue that has been 
out there for many years, and that is equal pay for equal work. The 
highest paid male soccer player makes $200,000 more than the highest 
paid female player.
  Over the past 3 years, the women's team generated more revenue and 
higher TV ratings than their men's counterpart.
  The gap is a stark reminder of the persistent and frustrating reality 
that women's sports are undervalued and their stars, simply, are 
underpaid. That is a fact.
  But it is not just the playing field where the women's work is 
undervalued; it is also in the workforce. In the United States, women 
who work full-time still earn only 80 cents, on the average, for every 
dollar earned by a man. Today's wage gap robs women of over $400,000 
over the course of their working lives.
  So equal pay for equal work is really, I think, an incredible value 
that we must pursue in this Congress. It is the fair thing. It is the 
right thing to do.
  In March, I joined my colleagues to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, 
which will give women tools they need to fight pay discrimination, and 
I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pay attention to the strong 
support for the bill and to ensure that, in fact, we follow up and get 
it to the President's desk.
  Also, in March, the U.S. soccer team sued for equal pay, alleging 
gender discrimination, with the men's team supporting their efforts. 
This really goes back to title IX that was started decades ago to 
ensure that, in our collegiate sports, women could have the same access 
to the same sporting programs throughout our universities.
  Now, this week, we are going to see parades in New York and in Los 
Angeles celebrating this great world championship, this victory. But 
shortly after the final whistle on Sunday solidified these women's 
efforts in history books, celebratory cheers in the crowd quickly 
erupted into chants of ``equal pay, equal pay,'' showing their support, 
as well, for which a groundswell, I believe, is developing.
  It is time, therefore, that we end pay disparity on the playing field 
and in the workplace once and for all.
  Congratulations to the United States Women's National Soccer Team. Go 
USA and equal pay.


                       In Honor of Gene Haagenson

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I also rise today to recognize and honor the 
career of Gene Haagenson on his retirement.
  A successful television news reporter for four decades, Gene spent 
the past 27 years covering stories throughout my home in the San 
Joaquin Valley for KFSN TV, Channel 30. He had the pleasure of working 
with so many of us over the years.
  An adept, smart reporter, he is known and respected for not only his 
fair reporting, hard-hitting questions, and the embodiment of a true 
professional, he did his homework. He knew what he was talking about.
  Gene's professionalism, his commitment to fair and balanced reporting 
will be missed, but he leaves a robust foundation for future 
journalists to build upon. He is a mentor, and he is a teacher.
  I wish him the very best with his family and his grandchildren in his 
new exciting phase of life.
  But I will encourage him, as I have before, that he use all these 
skills that he has honed over the years and teach, teach in our 
colleges and universities, the future journalists of America, to ensure 
that we have a vibrant, fair, and free press that is the cornerstone of 
our democracy. Gene has a lot more to give, and I hope he does so.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Gene 
Haagenson for his achievements, his outstanding commitment to Fresno, 
the San Joaquin Valley, and to our country, for always--always--
standing for a free and fair press.

                          ____________________