William R. Richardson: “I received a letter last week from Harvey Nehring, who lives in Farmington, NM. Harvey cannot understand how anybody…”

“I received a letter last week from Harvey Nehring, who lives in Farmington, NM. Harvey cannot understand how anybody could even think of opposing a raise in the minimum wage. Harvey stated that people who oppose an increase in the minimum wage do not realize that it costs the working poor $40 an hour to get their car repaired and $60 an hour to fix their plumbing. The working poor have no health insurance, no retirement benefits. They receive no gifts from lobbyists, and do not receive frequent flyer miles. In Harvey's words, the working poor are simply honest Americans who work hard to keep this country going. Mr. Speaker, raising the minimum wage is a bipartisan issue. In 1989, the vote on increasing the minimum wage was 382 to 37 in the House. It was proposed by then President Bush. Mr. Speaker, we should all agree that in order to get people off welfare, we need to give them a salary that will help their ends meet. Mr. Speaker, I agree with Harvey. Let us raise the minimum wage.”