The following is Representative Schakowsky's statement.

"Today is `Take Your Daughter to Work Day,' and on this day, Democrats are calling for action to make sure that our daughters can earn the same wages as our sons. 

"As we go into the 21st century, pay inequity is persistent and real. Today women must work for 14 months to earn what their male counterparts earn in a year. Women earn 74 cents to every dollar that a man earns. In Illinois it is actually worse. Women earn only 70 cents to every dollar that a man earns.

"Pay inequity hurts women and their families. Women lose about $420,000 in wages and benefits because of unfair pay practices. It is time to put an end to this very real and costly inequity in the workplace once and for all. 

"I am proud to have joined with colleagues in introducing the Paycheck Fairness Act of 1999, H.R. 541, to help eliminate the wage gap that still exists between men and women today.

"When my granddaughter Isabel, who is just one-years old, enters the work force, I certainly want to be part of the solution guaranteeing that she makes exactly what her male counterparts make."