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[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.
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