WHEREAS, an analysis by the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics of data in over 300 classifications showed that women earn less in every occupational classification for which enough data is available, including occupations traditionally dominated by women (e.g., registered nurses and teachers); and
WHEREAS, just one year out of college, working women already generally earn less than their male colleagues in the same field and with the same degree; and
WHEREAS, over a working lifetime, this wage disparity costs the average American woman and her family $700,000 to $2 million in lost wages, also impacting social security benefits and pensions; and
WHEREAS, with women constituting 50% of the workforce, the wage gap has real and adverse consequences to a majority of families; and
WHEREAS, women are increasingly serving as the sole wage-earners of families; and
WHEREAS, at age 66 and older, women are twice as likely as men to be poor; and
WHEREAS, fair pay equity policies can be implemented simply and without undue cost or hardship in both the public and private sectors; and
WHEREAS, the United States Congress has taken up these concerns with the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Act of 2009 which restores protection against pay discrimination, and the proposed Paycheck Fairness Act which would ensure effective remedies for wage discrimination and strengthen enforcement of equal pay laws; and
WHEREAS, Tuesday, April 12 symbolizes the time each year in which the wages paid to American women catch up to the wages paid to men from the previous year;
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 146th General Assembly of the State of Delaware that Tuesday, April 12, 2011 is designated as Equal Pay Day in the State of Delaware.
SYNOPSIS
This Resolution designates Tuesday, April 12, 2011 as “Equal Pay Day” in the State of Delaware.
