[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 18]
[House]
[Page 22817]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
                        RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE

  (Mr. CLEAVER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, in 1935, that old wild-eyed liberal, 
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, put forth a proposal to increase or to 
establish a minimum wage. It was 25 cents an hour. Mr. Speaker, we are 
now closing out 2006, and for 9 years, this Congress has failed to 
increase the minimum wage. Democrats strongly believe that no one in 
this country who works hard at a full-time job should have to live in 
poverty, unable to provide for their children.
  On the current minimum wage they can earn only $10,700 a year. That 
is shameful. It is close to being sinful. During the past year, we took 
the message to the American people. On November 7, they responded 
overwhelmingly by electing the Democratic majority to Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, the Democratic majority in the next Congress will not 
let the American people down. Within the first 100 hours of the 110th 
Congress, we will pass a pay increase for the workers who need it most.

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