    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [March 19, 1998]
    [Pages 404-405]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Proposed Legislation To Raise the Minimum Wage
    March 19, 1998

        Two years ago, we raised the minimum wage to reward work and help
    millions of Americans raise their families with dignity. With our
    expanded earned-income tax credit and the higher minimum wage, we said
    to hard-pressed working families: If you work full-time, you should not
    have to raise your children in poverty. Without another minimum wage
    increase, too many of these families will fall through the cracks and
    back below the poverty line. That is wrong.

    [[Page 405]]

        That is why I am pleased that Senator Daschle, Senator Kennedy,
    Representative Gephardt, and
    Representative Bonior are introducing
    legislation that includes another sound and prudent minimum wage
    increase. With our economy the healthiest in a generation and job growth
    strong, we can afford to increase the minimum wage by a dollar by the
    turn of the century. I strongly support raising the minimum wage. This
    legislation will help ensure that we pay people a decent wage and that
    parents who work hard and play by the rules can lift their children and
    themselves out of poverty. It's right for America and right for
    America's workers.