Mike Thompson: “I stand in support of livable wage for all Americans by the year 2000. Congressmen Clyburn and Hilliard and I have…”

“I stand in support of livable wage for all Americans by the year 2000. Congressmen Clyburn and Hilliard and I have introduced a bill, H.R. 768, that moves the debate from a minimum wage to a livable wage. Many Americans who work in retail establishments such as McDonald's already earn more than $5 per hour. The current minimum wage of $4.25 per hour amounts to approximately $9,000 a year. No individual or family can live at a decent level on this income. Contrary to popular belief, two-thirds of minimum wage workers are adults and not teenagers. The minimum wage has not been raised since April 1, 1991, nearly 4 years ago. For the richest country in the world, this is a national disgrace. All of us know that the cost of goods and services have risen over this time period. By supporting a liveable wage, we send a clear signal to the Nation of our support for the working poor. Let us vote for a livable wage and index future increases so that all American families can keep up with the rising cost of living. My constituents in Mississippi deserve it. Your constituents deserve it. We must demand it.”