Raise the Wage Act
Floor Speech
BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I am from New York, and I rise in support of the Raise the Wage Act of 2019 for workers in my district and workers everywhere, particularly rural America.
The Raise the Wage Act is a long overdue minimum wage increase that will lift wages for millions of Americans and boost the small business economy.
Today, under the current minimum wage of just $7.25 per hour, American workers and their families are living on the margins. They spend nights at the dinner table having to decide whether to pay for their child's school trip or groceries for the week.
If we are to build a better economy for all Americans, we must ensure that our workers can make a good living and have a good life.
Poll after poll shows that small business owners support raising the minimum wage. This is because doing so has been proven to help small firms better retain employees who, in turn, are more productive and higher performing.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a sign-on statement from Business for a Fair Minimum Wage. Business for a Fair Minimum Wage Federal $15 Sign On Statement
As business owners and executives, we support gradually raising the federal minimum wage to $15 by 2024. It's good for business, good for customers and good for our economy.
Workers are also customers. Today's $7.25 minimum wage-- just $15,080 a year for full-time workers--doesn't even cover the basics. Raising the minimum wage puts money in the pockets of people who most need to spend it, increasing sales at businesses and boosting the economy.
Raising the minimum wage makes good business sense. Low pay typically means high turnover. Raising the minimum wage pays off in lower employee turnover, reduced hiring and training costs, lower error rates, increased productivity and better customer service. Employees often make the difference between repeat customers or lost customers.
Raising the minimum wage is smart policy. It will reduce the strain on the safety net caused by wages that people can't live on. It will help level the playing field for businesses and strengthen the consumer spending businesses depend on to thrive. About 1,000 Signers and Counting as of July 17, 2019
Holly Sklar, CEO, Business for a Fair Minimum Wage; Jen Landry, Owner, Steller Botanical Health, Gustavus, AK; Phillip Austin, Owner, DJ Cabinetry Tuscaloosa, AL; Eddie Babies, Owner, Eddie B's Barber Shop Montgomery, AL; Varis Berry, Owner, New Beginning Barber & Style Montgomery, AL; Larry Bethune, Owner, Brenda's BBQ, Montgomery, AL; Joseph Bradley, Co-Owner, Sidekicks Sneaker Shop, Birmingham, AL; Tahera Broadnax, Owner, The Hair Day Birmingham, AL; David Brown, Owner, Manitou Supply, Birmingham, AL; Stephanie Brown, Owner, Hue Studio, Montgomery, AL; Dawn Cassizzi, Owner, Beacon Yoga, Birmingham, AL; Michael Crayton, Owner, MandE Suits, Montgomery, AL.
Robert Dean, Owner, Momma Goldberg's Deli, Homewood, AL; Adriane Dunson, Owner, Cora Bella LLC, Tuscaloosa, AL; Newman Evans, Owner, Newman's Classic Cuts, Birmingham, AL; Dan Hall, Owner, Queen City Cycles, Tuscaloosa, AL; Benita Hall, Owner, Shaebreezy Beauty Bar, Montgomery, AL; Carla Hamilton, Owner, Four Comers Gallery, Birmingham, AL; James Harris, President, Harvest Midwest, Birmingham, AL; Tim Hicks, Owner, Veteran Cuts Barber Shop, Montgomery, AL; Ashraf Hijaz, Owner, Beauty & Beyond, Montgomery, AL; Justin Holt, Owner, Dotson's Burger Spot, Tuscaloosa, AL; Jose lzaguarre, Owner, TechniGO, Tuscaloosa, AL; Nate Johnson, Owner, Teamwork Barber Shop, Selma, AL; Walter L Johnson Sr., Owner, Village East Shoe Center, Montgomery, AL; Raymond Josof, Owner, Five Points Hotdogs, Birmingham, AL; Melissa Kendrick, CEO, Sojourns, Birmingham, AL; Uluybell Khorsanov, Owner, Prof Alterations, Tuscaloosa, AL; Dr. Jerry Kirby, Owner, Kirby Chiropractic Clinic, Montgomery, AL; LaKeitha Knox, Owner, The Head Doctor, Tuscaloosa, AL; Nicholas Lewis, Owner, Tha Cutting Zone, Tuscaloosa, AL; Brandon MacDonald, Owner, MacDonald Insurance Group, Birmingham, AL; Alexis Martin, Owner, Lex Couture Boutique, Selma, AL; Charli Matthews, CEO, Empowering Brands, Tuscaloosa, AL; Marisa Mitchell, Owner, Swaddle, Birmingham, AL; Kenya Mitchell, Owner, SKT Hair Salon, Selina, AL; Byong Hyon Moon, Owner, Tuny Custom T- shirts, Montgomery, AL.
Naboo A. Obeird, Owner, Makano's Kabob Express, Birmingham, AL; Derrick Paoletto, Owner, The Record Stop, Montgomery, AL; Salisha Parker, Owner, This & That LLC, Selma, AL; Kirsten Perry, Owner, KD Bridal & Prom, Selma, AL; Brittney Powell, Owner, Kay Couture, Montgomery, AL; Jim Reed, Owner, Reed's Book Store, Birmingham, AL; Katie Rengers, Director and Vicar, The Abbey, Birmingham, AL; Juan Rivera, Owner, Rivera's Barber Shop, Northport, AL; Jim Robertson, Owner, Robertson's Health Food Center, Northport, AL; Betty Rollins, Owner, Cloverdale Laundry & Dry Cleaners, Montgomery, AL; Chris Roycroft, Owner, Olive Tree, Tuscaloosa, AL; Vanessa Sanders, Owner, Kut N Go, Montgomery, AL; Craig Shaw, Owner, True Story Brewing Co., Birmingham, AL.
William Sheppard, Owner, Sheppard's Pet Supply, Birmingham, AL; Muhammad Sikander, Owner, Shoe Times, Montgomery, AL; Mellissa Smith, Owner, Island Delight, Montgomery, AL; Jarrell Smith, Owner, Cutz & Budz, Montgomery, AL; Gregory Smitherman, Owner, Anatomy of Pi, Dora, AL; Justin Snipes, Owner, The Comic Strip, Tuscaloosa, AL; Casey Snipes, Owner, Trxi Vintage, Birmingham, AL; Mark Snyder, Owner, Mark's Joint Restaurant, Homewood, AL; Robby Spaeth, Owner, Capital City Tire & Auto Sales, Montgomery, AL; Curtis Starks, Co- owner, Train & Burn, Birmingham, AL; Cheri Stewart, Owner, Trim Tab Brewing, Birmingham, AL; Deon Trone, Owner, Deon's Style & Barber Shop, Tuscaloosa, AL; Deon Trone, Owner, Deon's Automotive, Tuscaloosa, AL; Teresa Vickrey, Owner, Natural Healing, Montgomery, AL; Johnny Weatherspoon, Owner, Style Connection Barber Shop, Tuscaloosa, AL; LaTesha Wells, Owner, Salon Ambience, Tuscaloosa, AL; Christie White, Owner, Arcadia Salon, Birmingham, AL; Tim Williamson, Owner, Carter Drug, Selma, AL; Kandice Wright, Owner, Hair by Kandice, Tuscaloosa, AL; Bradley Wyatt, Owner, Copper Top, Tuscaloosa, AL; Blake Ralston, Owner, Ralston Agency, Fort Smith, AR; Steve Svendson, Owner, Svendson Agency, Rogers, AR; Daniel Aguilera, Owner, 480 Barber Shop, Chandler, AZ; Janice Brian, Owner, Alley Cats Haircutting Salon, Flagstaff, AZ; Malcolm Bates, Owner, Rogue Antiques Retro and Vintage, Flagstaff, AZ.
Paula Beltran, Owner, V.I. Alterations & Tailoring, Mesa, AZ; Rita Burnette, Owner, Make-U-Mobile, Mesa, AZ; Eric Cady, Co-Owner, Chupacabra Taproom, Mesa, AZ; Francisco Carlos, Owner, Cabinets by Design, Phoenix, AZ; Cartiye Carter, Owner, 24K Hair Spa, Phoenix, AZ; Jorge Castillo, Co-Owner, The Gaming Zone, Tempe, AZ; Alison Chandler, Co-Owner, Noble Beast Pet Market, Phoenix, AZ; Abel Chavez, Owner, Chavez Barber Shop, Tempe, AZ; Shang Syun Chiu, Owner, Dealer Electronics, Mesa, AZ; Natalie Clark, Owner, AZ Lash Lady, Chandler, AZ; Kimberly Clarke, Owner, Solstice Intimates, Tempe, AZ; Mark Cosmas, Owner, iRun, Phoenix, AZ.
Phil Costa, Owner, Unique Pianos, Phoenix, AZ; Lauren Danuser, Owner, Local Nomad, Phoenix, AZ; Daniel DeHoyos, Owner, Fritz's Barbershop, Mesa, AZ; Eileen Fisher, Founder, EILEEN FISHER, Scottsdale, AZ; Alfredo Flores, Owner, Watch & Jewelry Repair, Tempe, AZ; Farrell Friedland, President, Professional Alternatives of Arizona, LLC, Scottsdale, AZ; Justin Fultz, Owner, Let Us Floor You, Inc, Chandler, AZ; Gina Galaviz, Co-Owner, Flag T Factory, Flagstaff, AZ; Kristin Garcia, Owner, Purge Love Peace Rage Room, Chandler, AZ; Brenda Hackman, Co-Owner, EmbroidMe, Phoenix, AZ; Tim Hackman, Co-Owner, EmbroidMe, Phoenix, AZ; Billy Halton, Co- Owner, Casa Grande Dry Cleaning, Casa Grande, AZ.
Eddie Hantas, Owner, Hummus Express, Tempe, AZ; Lamar Harris, Co-Owner, Get Sassy Beauty Supply, Chandler, AZ; Nicholas Harron, Owner, 1UPGames, Mesa, AZ; Fahima Hassan, Owner, Khyber Halal, Phoenix, AZ; Dionne Hauke, Owner, Ziggie's Music, Phoenix, AZ; Jason Hemann, Owner, Kitchen AZ, Chandler, AZ; Gabrielle Hopkins, Owner, Food Diva AZ, Chandler, AZ; Gabrielle Hopkins, Owner, Wild Elk Den, Chandler, AZ; Jeannette Housner, Owner, Dion's Le Wig Shoppe, Scottsdale, AZ; Skip Jones, Owner, Caveman Printing & Apparel, Mesa, AZ; Brad Keeling, Owner, Maroney's Cleaners & Laundry, Phoenix, AZ.
Brad Keeling, President, OrganiCare, Phoenix, AZ; Danyelle Kimbell, Owner, Just In Time Hair Design, Chandler, AZ; Anthony Kyhn, Owner, Salon Red Arcadia, Phoenix, AZ; Adele LaVoie, Owner, French Method Salon, Phoenix, AZ; Cenobio Lopez, Owner, Nancy's Jewelry and Clothing, Chandler, AZ; Alison Lueders, CEO, Great Green Content, Phoenix, AZ; David Luna, Owner, Luna's Hair & Barbershop, Mesa, AZ; Treasure Mandley, Owner, HairADize, Chandler, AZ; Nancy J. McCulla, Owner, Simply Delicious Catering & Cafe Daily Fare, Flagstaff, AZ; Edmundo Meraz, Co-Owner, Republica Empanada, Mesa, AZ; Scott Miner D.C., Owner, OMNI Chiropractic, Tempe, AZ; Kim Natori, Founder, Let's Begin Again, Phoenix, AZ; Maria Ortiz, Owner, La Nortenita, Flagstaff, AZ; Heather Phalan, Owner, All Awards Studio, Flagstaff, AZ; Meir Pinhkasov, Owner, Brooklyn'z Barbershop LLC, Phoenix, AZ; Turney Postlewait, Owner, Biff's Bagels' Flagstaff, AZ; Urban Quintero, Co-Owner, Quintero Jewelry, Chandler, AZ; Leo Ramirez, Co-Owner, Sa Morz Bakery, Casa Grande, AZ;Alma Reyes, Owner, Isela's Beauty Salon, Chandler, AZ; Dianne Ripplinger, Owner, Di's Hair & Nail Salon, Mesa, AZ; Laurel Roach, Owner, Trifit Wellness, Phoenix, AZ; John Rooney, Co- Owner, Adventures in Stained Glass, Casa Grande, AZ; Michael Roviello, Owner, Andromeda LLC, Phoenix, AZ; Sergio Sanchez, Owner, Crates Records, Phoenix, AZ; Michael Spangenberg, Owner, State Forty Eight, Chandler, AZ; Wayne B. Taylor, President, Taylor's Flooring, Mesa, AZ.
Bob Thomas, Owner, Bob's Tropical Inc., Phoenix, AZ; Chris Thomas, Owner, Universal Cuts & Design, Mesa, AZ; Paul Torok, CEO, PS YES LLC, Phoenix, AZ; Harold Torres, President, Hair 2 Day, Tempe, AZ; Pete Turner, Owner, Illegal Pete's Restaurants, Tucson, AZ; Alvaro Valentin, Owner, Fresh As Can ``V'', Chandler, AZ; Dan Vasquez, Owner, Dapper Dan's Barber Shop, Scottsdale, AZ; Dustin Venekamp, Owner, Altig-Venekamp Agency, Phoenix, AZ; Marie Verdugo, Owner, NuYou Life Center, Phoenix, AZ; Jamie Warner, Co-Owner, Yellow Jacket Comics LLC, Tempe, AZ; Brittany Weir, Owner, The Mad Bird, Phoenix, AZ; Paul Williams, Owner/Chef, Smoke Dem Bones BBQ, Phoenix, AZ.
Maury Williamson, Owner, The Country Clipper Barbershop, Chandler, AZ; Natasha Winnik, Owner, Originate Natural Building Materials Showroom, Tucson, AZ; Carolyn Young, Owner, West of the Moon Jewelry & Art, Flagstaff, AZ; Annette Zepeda, Co-Owner, Hair Deco, Phoenix, AZ; Feliciano Zizzo, Owner, Zizzo Tailoring, Scottsdale, AZ; Ruksana Azhu Valappil, Founder and CEO, NEEV, San Jose, CA; Brenda Balanda, Owner/Broker, Marin Sunshine Realty, Point Reyes Station, CA; Kae Bender, Founder, SocioEnergetics Foundation, Lancaster, CA; Neil Blomquist, Managing Director, Natural Habitats USA Inc., Richmond, CA; Neil Blomquist, Owner, Sustainable Solutions Consulting, Sebastopol, CA; David Bronner, CEO, Dr. Bronner's, Vista, CA; Rinaldo Brutoco, Founding President & CEO, World Business Academy, Santa Barbara, CA; Sattie Clark, Owner, Eleek Incorporated, Redwood Valley, CA; Eric Cohen, Owner, Justice Grace Vineyards, Sonoma, CA.
Thomas Cook, Attorney, Thomas Cook Intellectual Property Attorneys, Sausalito, CA; Fred Dew, Professional Engineer, Consultancy, Altadena, CA; Desi Dimitrova, Owner, Dimitrova Agency, San Dimas, CA; Jerome Dodson, President, Pamassus Investments, San Francisco, CA; Eric Edelson, CEO, Fireday Tile, San Francisco, CA; Mika Endo, Operations Manager, Mafia Bags, San Francisco, CA; Malia Everette, CEO, Altruvistas, Richmond, CA; Monica Farbiarz, CEO, Encanto Jewels, Grass Valley, CA; Deborah Frangquist, Owner, Chosen Futures, San Francisco, CA; Jim Frazin, Principal, Financial Planner, Communitas Financial Planning Inc., San Francisco, CA; Gary Gerber, CEO, Sun Light & Power, Berkeley, CA; Michael Hannigan, CEO, Community Benefit Corporation, Berkeley, CA.
Janie Hoffman, CEO & Founder, Mamma Chia, Carlsbad, CA; Kip Howard, Former CEO (retired), Navis LLC, Larkspur, CA; Ari Isaak, Owner, Evan GIS Consulting, San Diego, CA; Donald M. Johnson, Retired, Architect, Ventura, CA; Bakari Kafele, Owner, BioDiesel Hauling, San Pablo, CA. Steve Kaye, Owner, Steve Kaye Photo, Placentia, CA; Dr. Mha Atma S Khalsa, Owner, Khalsa Chiropractic, Los Angeles, CA; Martin Kruger, COO, Follow Your Heart (Earth Island), Chatsworth, CA; Carolyn McMaster, CEO, Thinkshift Communications, San Francisco, CA; Carolina Miranda, Founder and CEO, Cultivating Capital, Richmond, CA; Virginia Morrison, President, Collaboration Specialists, San Anselmo, CA; Allan Moskowitz, Owner, Transformative Wealth Management, El Cerrito, CA.
Erin Musgrave, Principal, EMC Strategies, Santa Cruz, CA; Mark Nelson, Owner, Renaissance Remodelers, San Anselmo, CA; S. Ostertag, Co-Owner, GLYDE America, Los Angeles, CA; Jennifer Piette, Founder, CEO, Narrative Food, Chatsworth, CA; Dylan Pollard, Partner, Pollard
James Weil, CEO, Weil Aquatronics, Inc, Norwalk, CA; Robynne Winchester, Owner, Revelation in Fit, Oakland, CA; George Yenoki, Owner, Hackberry solutions, Monrovia, CA; Ben C. Alexander, Certified General Appraiser, Ben C. Alexander Appraisers, Byers, CO; Carlos Alvarez-Aranyos, Managing Partner, Boulder Transport, Boulder, CO; Bryan Birsic, CEO, Wunder Capital, Boulder, CO; Richard Correa, Owner, Richard Correa Agencies, Aurora, CO; Jenny Davies, Owner, Progressive Promotions, Denver, CO; Matthew Elliott, Partner, Super Humane, Denver, CO; Jeffrey Fierberg, CEO, Sora Digital, Denver, CO; Kathleen Furr, Owner, eXtraOrdinary Gift Company, Denver, CO; Toby Gadd, President, Nuance Chocolate, Fort Collins, CO; Kyle Garner, CEO, Organic India USA, Boulder, CO.
Chris Graves, Owner, Bardo Coffee House, Denver, CO; Sharon Hwang, Owner, The Wellness Center, Glendale, CO; Heather Jernberg, Partner, Boreas Group, Denver, CO; John Kuebler, Owner, Kilgore Books, Denver, CO; Jason Kuri, Founder, Ionzero LLC, Fort Collins, CO; Craig Lamberty, Owner, Conscious Coffees, Boulder, CO; Blake Manion, Founder, Soul Salve, Denver, CO; Stacey Marcellus, Co-Founder & CEO, Cappello's, Denver, CO; Alicia Marsicovetere, Owner, Renew Massage Studio LLC, Wheat Ridge, CO; Marilyn Megenity, Owner, Mercury Cafe, Denver, CO; Allison Parks, Owner/Managing Broker, Conscious Real Estate, Denver, CO; Chad Schubert, Director, Business Development, Pivot Energy, Denver, CO; Julie Tasche, Director of Community and Culture, Illegal Pete's, Inc., Denver, CO; Pete Turner, Founder/President, Illegal Pete's Restaurants, Denver, CO; Marie Venner, Owner and CEO, Venner Consulting, Lakewood, CO; Samuel Weaver, CEO, Cool Energy, Boulder, CO; Joshua Angelus, Owner, Self- employed, Waterbury, CT; Jonell Carr, Business Manager, Exquisite Contractors, Bridgeport, CT.
Nikki Colodny, Owner, Medical Practice, Guilford, CT; Jenifer Gorin, Founder, Impact Growth Partners, Westport, CT; Walter Greissle, Accountant, CPA, Stamford, CT; William Potvin, Owner, Hosmer Mountain Bottling Co., Willimantic, CT; Nancy Ruzow, Design Director, Ruzow Graphics Inc, Westport, CT; Margot Dorfman, CEO, U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce, Washington, DC; Mike Englert, President, Eighty2degrees Design Studio, Washington, DC; Jeffrey Hollender, CEO, American Sustainable Business Council, Washington, DC; Pennye Jones-Napier, Owner & CEO, BBWoof Inc., Washington, DC; Michael Lastoria, Founder and CEO, &pizza, Washington, DC; Gloria Nauden, CMO, City First Bank, Washington, DC; Thomas Oppel, Executive Vice President, American Sustainable Business Council, Washington, DC; Michael Peck, Founder, MAPA Group, Washington, DC; Gina Schaefer, Owner, Logan, Glover Park, Frager's, Tenleytown, other Ace Hardware stores, Washington, DC; Aaron Seyedian, Owner, Well-Paid Maids, Washington, DC; Andy Shallal, Owner, Busboys & Poets Restaurants, Washington, DC.
Fran Teplitz, Executive Co-Director for Business, Investing & Policy, Green America's Green Business Network, Washington, DC; Troy Toliver, Owner, We Buy Houses Nationwide USA, Washington, DC; Daniel Turner, President, TCG, Washington, DC; Dr. Kimberly Grimes, Co-Owner, Made by Hand International, South Bethany, DE; Gabriel Feldmann, Owner, The Feldmann Agency, Pensacola, FL; Matt Henderson, Owner, Henderson Agency, Orlando, FL; Orlando Heras, President, The Royal Gourmet Co., Hollywood, FL; Karen Joslin, Creatrix, Karen Joslin, Tallahassee, FL; Michelle Martinez, Owner, Williams-Martinez Agency, Miami Lakes, FL; KathySue McGuire, Principal, 3 Pillar Solutions, Jupiter, FL; MaryAnn Nelson, Owner, GQ Solutions, LLC, Jacksonville, FL; Joel Pollock, Co- Owner, Panther Coffee Roasters, Miami, FL; Natalie Albright, Owner, RSVP Prom and Pageant, Johns Creek, GA; Toula Argentis, Owner, 2BWhole Gluten Free Bakery, Alpharetta, GA; Lisa Bobb, Owner, Squash Blossom Boutique, Decatur, GA; Kizuwanda Boyd, Owner, Dreams Beauty Experience, Atlanta, GA; Brian Brock, Managing Partner, Antwerp Diamonds, Roswell, GA; Douglas Burks, CEO, Burks Jewelers, Atlanta, GA; Rand Cabus, Owner, Mojo Vinyl Records, Roswell, GA.
Kal Cauthen, Owner, KC Groomer & Beauty Bar, Alpharetta, GA; Bruce Champeau, President and COO, Room & Board, Atlanta, GA; Randall Cook, Owner, Cook Agency, Buford, GA; Belon Durham, Owner, B Lashfull, Atlanta, GA; George Edward, Owner, The Hair Artists, Sandy Springs, GA; Rick Elibert, Owner/CEO, Positive Image Barber Shop, Chamblee, GA; Solera Foster, Owner, Solera's Salon, Sandy Springs, GA; Lola Foxx, Co- Owner, Foxx Original Jamaican Restaurant, Atlanta, GA; Phnewfula Frederiksen, Owner, Happy Mango, Atlanta, GA; Saba Gebrekiedan, Owner, Village Coffee Shop, Atlanta, GA; Brandy Hall, Founder, Shades of Green Permaculture Design, Decatur, GA; William Herman, Co-Owner, Raging Burrito, Decatur, GA; Warren Hudson, Owner, Decatur CD & Vinyl, Decatur, GA; Xavier Jarque, Owner, Xavier & Sons Auto Body & Paint, Alpharetta, GA; Ty Jenkins, Owner, Olive Branch Green Beauty, Decatur, GA; Kyle Johnson, Owner, Johnson Agency, Manetta, GA.
John Kang, Founder and General Manager, Salad Express, Roswell, GA; Sooill Kim, Owner, Donut Shack, Roswell, GA; Michael Knight, Owner, Kaboodle Home, Atlanta, GA; RuthE Levy, Owner, And Thou Shalt Read, Marietta, GA; RuthE Levy, Owner, Oy Toys, Roswell, GA; Godfrey Lewis, Owner, Avocado Vegan Cafe, Johns Creek, GA; Brandon Ley, Co-Owner, Georgia Beer Garden, Atlanta, GA; Brandon Ley, Co-Owner, Joystick Gamebar, Atlanta, GA; Celestino Loera, Owner, Mr. Tino's Ice Cream, Roswell, GA; Kathy Mai, Owner, K Hair Salon, Alpharetta, GA; Johnny Martinez, Co-Owner, Georgia Beer Garden, Atlanta, GA; Johnny Martinez, Co-Owner, Joystick Gamebar, Atlanta, GA; Juel McGhee, Owner, Closing Deals LLC, Atlanta, GA; Irene McGuire, Owner, Christian Print Shop, Johns Creek, GA; Michael Minga, Owner, Vivid Boutique Decatur, GA; Nataki Minix Owner, Star Taki Hair Lounge, Atlanta, GA.
Melissa Moore, Owner, Sq/Ft, Decatur, GA; Zalman Niktalov, Owner, North Point Upholstery, Roswell, GA; Jeffrey Oparnica, Owner, Sabbath Brewing, Atlanta, GA; Cliff Owens-Leech, Please Select, COL Agency, Stone Mountain, GA; Joseph Peta, Owner, Feather Baby, Decatur, GA; LaKesia Phelps, Owner, Anna's BBQ, Atlanta, GA; Al Rauf, Owner, Al's European Barber, Alpharetta, GA; Al Raye, Owner, Clay's Sports Cafe, Sandy Springs, GA; Robert Rhein, Owner, GBG Market, Atlanta, GA; Robert Rhein, Owner, The Square Pub, Decatur, GA; Joann Schwartz, Owner, Kirkwood Feed & Seed Pet Supply, Atlanta, GA; Joann Schwartz, Owner, Kirkwood Bark & Lounge, Atlanta, GA; Jason Shadix, Owner, Found Co., Decatur, GA; Sana Shah, Owner, Sana Beauty Salon, Johns Creek, GA; Lucius Simon, Owner, 1st Class Barber & Beauty Salon, Atlanta, GA; John Thompson, Owner, Clothes Horse Men's Apparel & Gifts, Alpharetta, GA; Lisa Turner, Co-Owner, Trinity Mercantile & Design, Decatur, GA; Alex Vershkov, Owner, Alex Auto, Roswell, GA; Lan Vu, Owner, Classic Tailor & Alterations, Roswell, GA; Debbie Wallace, CEO, 360 Health Broadcasting Network, Atlanta, GA; Debbie Wallace, CEO, A Full Taste Restaurant, Decatur, GA; Jamison Weatherspoon, Owner, Weatherspoon Agencies, Duluth, GA; Darryl Pellegrini, Owner, Music business, Aiea, HI; Mo Ajram, Owner, Kamal's Inc, Cedar Rapids, IA; Anthony Albizo, Owner, Flash Screen Printing & Embroidery, West Des Moines, IA; Steve Anderson, Owner, A- Kleen Sweep, West Des Moines, IA.
Dina Bachman, Owner, Five Monkeys Inc, Des Moines, IA; John Bartlett, Owner, i Work & Play, West Des Moines, IA; Mike Blanchard, Owner, The CORE Cedar Falls, IA; Michael Glenn Breitbach, Owner, The Food Store, Dubuque, IA; Beth Brown, Owner, Beth's Custom Cakes, Dubuque, IA; Jesus Castro, Owner, La Michoacana Mexican Groceries, West Des Moines, IA; Martavious ``Taye'' Clayton, Owner, House of Fades, Des Moines, IA; Mel Dameron, Owner, TwinFadez Barber Shop, Urbandale, IA; Rebecca Davidson, Owner, Dash Coffee Roasters, Iowa City, IA; Rebecca Davidson, Owner, Dash Coffee Roasters, Cedar Rapids, IA; Charla Davidson, President, Zebras on 5th, West Des Moines, IA; Jodi Deery, Owner, Jennifer's on Main, Cedar Falls, IA; David Deibler, Co-Owner, Octopus, Cedar Falls, IA; Darrell Delaney, Owner, House of Fades, Des Moines, IA.
Mike Draper, Owner, Raygun LLC, Des Moines, IA; Mike Draper, Owner, Raygun LLC, Cedar Rapids, IA; Ann Eastman, Owner, Miss Wonderful Vintage, Cedar Falls, IA; Kathy and Herb Eckhouse, Owners, La Quercia, Norwalk, IA; Christopher Ellis, Co-Owner & Managing Partner, Quarter Barrel Arcade & Brewery, Cedar Rapids, IA; Hart Epstein, Owner, Bluebird Diner, Iowa City, IA; Josh Garrett, Owner, Jett & Monkey's, Des Moines, IA; Robert Guthart, Owner, Bob's Guitars, Cedar Falls, IA; Lisa Haley, Owner, Ice Cream U Scream, Dubuque, IA; Kevin Hedley, Owner, Uncle Ike's Music, Dubuque, IA; Catherine Hickey, Owner, Memory Lane Antiques Gifts Collectibles, West Des Moines, IA; Suman Hoque, Owner, HOQ Restaurant, Des Moines, IA; Jacob Jenkins, Owner, Big Acai, West Des Moines, IA.
Chrissy Jensen, Owner, Domestics, Des Moines, IA; Kevin Jones, Owner, Subsect Skateshop, Des Moines, IA; Amber Keppler, Owner, Look @ You, Des Moines, IA; Jorene King, Owner, Wines of Iowa, West Des Moines, IA; Jay Kozel, Owner, Back Country, Des Moines, IA; Mike Kunzler, Co-Owner/Art Director, Kunzler Studios, West Des Moines, IA; Robert Larson, Owner, Record Collector, Iowa City, IA; Carol Lauber, Owner, Caboose Stop Hobbies, Cedar Falls, IA; Julie Lewerke, Owner, Metro Market, West Des Moines, IA; Joseph Logsdon, Owner, La Mie Bakery, Des Moines, IA; Nicole Lorenson, Owner, Preservation, Des Moines, IA; Keith Luter, Owner, Head 2 Toe Barbershop, Cedar Rapids, IA; Delaney Lynch, Owner, Bungalow, West Des Moines, IA; Allison Lyons, Owner, Rumors, Des Moines, IA; Adrian Maddox, Owner, Always Good Kutz LLC, Des Moines, IA; Ellen Martinson, Owner, Leona Ruby, Des Moines, IA; Ruth McDanel, Owner, Foxglove Chiropractic, West Des Moines, IA; Natalie Meester, Owner, Little Prairie Girl, Cedar Falls, IA.
Kristy Meyer, Co-Owner, Carol Ann Boutique & Body, Dubuque, IA; Nicole Myers, Owner, Polka Dots & Denim, Cedar Rapids, IA; Lacie Navin, Owner, Your CBD Store Valley Junction, West Des Moines, IA; Amber Neville, Owner, Willow & Stock, Iowa City, IA; Tony Nguyen, Owner, T-Tech, Des Moines, IA; Nate Niceswanger, Owner, ZZZ Records, Des Moines, IA; Michael Papich, President, Papich-Kuba Funeral Service, Cedar Rapids, IA; Joan Peiffer, Owner, Peiffer Paws Pet Grooming, Cedar Rapids, IA; Michael Price, Owner, Price Check Kicks, Cedar Falls, IA; Kathleen Rash, Owner and President, The Art Mission, Iowa City, IA; Tray Rochon, Owner, Blades Barbershop, Des Moines, IA; John Rohlf, Owner, Metro Records, Cedar Falls, IA; Sheila Sayre, Owner, She Home & Gift, Des Moines, IA; Barb Schilf, Owner, Mohair Pear, Cedar Falls, IA; Nate Sherwood, Owner, Eduskate, Cedar Rapids, IA; Bryan Smith, Owner, Blazing Saddle, Des Moines, IA; Andrew Snyder, Owner, Andy's Frame Shop, Des Moines, IA.
Kristin Solberg, Owner, Solberg's, Cedar Rapids, IA; Margeaux Spain, Owner, Margeaux Spain Wellness, Des Moines, IA; Glen Stillmunkes, Owner, Freddie's Popcorn Co., Dubuque, IA; Uzma Sultana, Owner, Gyro Hut, Cedar Rapids, IA; Anne Temple, Owner, Iowa Artisans Gallery, Iowa City, IA; Jennifer Veak, Owner, T-Shirt Graphix, Des Moines, IA; Victoria Veiock, Owner, Bing's, West Des Moines, IA; David Wetter, Owner, C & D Delivery LLC, Dubuque, IA; David Wetter, Owner, Tavern on the Main, Dubuque, IA; Dena Wright, Owner, Paula's Cafe, West Des Moines, IA; Stan Yoder, Owner, Stan's Barber Stylists, Iowa City, IA; ReShonda Young, Founder, Popcorn Heaven, Waterloo, IA; David Zaghloul, Owner/Chef, Chez Grace, Coralville, IA; Amanda Zeitner, Owner, Snowwhite Botanicals, Des Moines, IA; Scot McGavin, Co-Owner, Puentes Language Programs, Boise, ID; Bill Parks, President and Founder, NRS, Moscow, ID.
Kathy Stearns, Owner, Arc Advisers, Boise, ID; Ellen Anderson, President, Rally Insurance Group, Volo, IL; Chuck Blumenthal, Owner, Bean Products, Inc., Chicago, IL; David Borris, Owner and President, Hel's Kitchen Catering, Northbrook, IL; Nancy Brandt, Retired, Investor, Chicago, IL; James Brandt, Board Member, Ringspann Corp., Franklin Park, IL; Bruce Champeau, Presidnet and COO, Room & Board, Oak Brook, IL; Joyce Coffee, President, Climate Resilience Consulting, Chicago, IL; James Coleman, President, The Metro Group, Chicago, IL; Elizabeth Colon, President, Metaphrasis Language & Cultural Solutions, Chicago, IL; Mike Draper, Owner, Raygun LLC, Chicago, IL; Emily Farr, Owner, Farr & Farr, LLC, Chicago, IL.
Tim Frick, CEO, Mightybytes, Chicago, IL; Pamella Gronemeyer, M.D., Owner, SEMC Pathology, Highland, IL; Kate Jakubas, Founder, Meliora Cleaning Products, Chicago, IL; Michelle Knox, Founder/President, WindSolarUSA, Springfield, IL; Kevin Lampe, Co-Founder & Executive Vice President, Kurth Lampe Worldwide, Chicago, IL; Michael Londo, President, Just in Time Direction, Glen Ellyn, IL; Emily Lonigro, CEO, LimeRed, Chicago, IL; Thomas MacRoy, Owner, DuPage Psychological Associates, Naperville, IL; Sarah McGuire, Owner, Sarah McGuire Studio, Chicago, IL; Bob Olson, President and CEO, Olson Agencies, Lombard, IL; Scott Pfeiffer, Managing Partner, Threshold Acoustics, Downers Grove, IL; Michelle Sheldon, President, Eco Promotional Products, Vernon Hills, IL; Dimitri Syrkin-Nikolau, Owner, Dimo's Pizza, Chicago, IL.
Lauren Venell, Co-founder & CXO, Joone Creative, Inc., Chicago, IL; Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, President and CEO, Earth Friendly Products (Makers of ECOS), Addison, IL; Kelly Weinberger, Founder and Co-Owner, WorldFinds, Westmont, IL; James Cunningham, Owner, James Cunningham Agency, Indianapolis, IN; Gregg Keesling, President, RecycleForce, Indianapolis, IN; Deborah Pierce, Managing Partner, GoodMustGrow, Brownsburg, IN; Becky Reimbold, Owner, Just Goods, South Bend, IN; Yadrada Alvarez, Owner, Yady Beauty Salon, Mission, KS; Jon Amyx, Owner, Downtown Barber, Lawrence, KS; Carl Applequist, Owner, Carl's Salon, Overland Park, KS; Rashida Bonds, Owner, Beautiful Hair Parlor, Mission, KS; Brenda Clarke, Owner, The Hair House, Shawnee, KS; Mike Cole, Owner, The General Store, Overland Park, KS; Molly Crook, Owner, Essential Goods, Lawrence, KS; Kerry Doan, Owner, Bombshell Boutique, Mission, KS.
Ken Fleming, Owner, Ken's Swap-d-Shop, Olathe, KS; Marlon Ford, Owner, For's Barber Shop, Kansas City, KS; Kathy Gates, Owner, The Running Well Store, Mission, KS; Patricia H. Goodfriend, Owner, Teal Lotus, Overland Park, KS; Dave Grigsby, Owner, Parkwood Barber Shop, Kansas City, KS; Carmen Hinojos, Manager, Las Gorditas Mexican Restaurant, Kansas City, KS; Dustin Hothan, Owner, CBD of Lawrence, Lawrence, KS; Angelynn Howell, Owner, Anna's BLD Bistro, Kansas City, KS; Lewis Hurtt, Owner, Shoe Master, Fairway, KS; Ronell Jones, Owner, JC Barbershop; Shawnee, KS; Denise Kirk, Owner, Aunt Jean's, Shawnee, KS; Lane Lambert, Owner, 3 Wishes-- Books, Art, Music, Merriam, KS; Sam Lloyd, Co-owner, Harbor Leaf Tea Company, Lawrence, KS.
Cole Maggart, Owner, Brothers Music, Mission, KS; Nicole Manriquez, Owner, Striped Cow, Lawrence, KS; Joey Mendez, Co- Owner, ULAH, Westwood, KS; Haile Michaels, Owner, Elsa's Ethiopian, Overland Park, KS; Marilyn O'Hearne, Owner, Marilyn Oh Executive & Team Coaching, Leawood, KS; William O'Rourke, Owner, Orange Cat Records, Lawrence, KS; Tracy Ochester, Owner, Ochester Psychological Services, LLC, Leawood, KS; Keyla Osuna, Manager, Osuna Bakery, Kansas City, KS; Dan Phillips, Owner, Vinyl Renaissance, Overland Park, KS; Ron Phillips, Shop Supervisor, Klemp Electric, Kansas City, KS; Darby Pool, Owner, Bikes for the Likes of Us, Olathe, KS; Jenny Pugh, Owner, Lulu's Boutique, Mission, KS; Jorge Ramos, Owner, Ramos Upholstery, Kansas City, KS; Daisy Rodriguez, Owner, Oregano & Thyme Market, Mission, KS; Amrik Sandhu, Manager, Black's Liquor, Kansas City, KS; Dave Seal, Owner, Framewoods, Lawrence, KS; Ben Stallings, Co-Owner, Interdependent Web, Emporia, KS.
Sherry Sullivan, Owner, Brian's Bakery, Mission, KS; Sara Thompson, President, Ceramic Cafe, Overland Park, KS; Tara Vandervalk, Owner, Radiance: Beautiful Skin, Overland Park, KS; Teresa Hendricks, Owner, Lucia's World Emporium, Lexington, KY; Camille Moran, Owner, Caramor Industries; 4 Seasons Christmas Tree and Plant Farm, Natchitoches, LA; Angela O'Byrne, Owner, Perez APC, New Orleans, LA; Mallory Whitfield, Owner, Malaprop LLC, New Orleans, LA; Janet Axelrod, Owner, Wealth Matters, Cambridge, MA; Robert Baker, President, Key Polymer Corp., Lawrence, MA; Ann Baker, Owner, On Camera Commercial Coaching, Wayland, MA; Jessie Banhazl, CEO & Founder, Green City Growers, Somerville, MA; Phil Bannatyne, Owner, Cambridge Brewing Company, Cambridge, MA; Ted Barber, Founder, Prosperity Candle, Easthampton, MA; Jeff Barry, President, Boston Organics, Charlestown, MA; Sam Barstow, President & COO, Forsake, Boston, MA; Paul Benoit, Co-Owner, Box Save, Arlington, MA; Andrew Bonfiglio, Co- Founder, Emzingo, Somerville, MA.
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Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, take it from the words of Rebecca Hamilton, CEO of Badger Balm, a small cosmetic company in New Hampshire. She said: ``Paying a living wage is a core part of our culture and has helped us hire and retain excellent staff even in a time when other businesses have struggled.''
We have heard businesses that started out small, such as the popular restaurant &pizza, that attribute their fast-growing success to their practice of paying fair wages while maintaining competitive prices.
Small companies make up 99 percent of U.S. employers, and nearly 70 percent of our economic activity comes from consumer spending.
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Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, by raising the minimum wage, we can help put money back into consumers' pockets, injecting new life into our Main Street and our economy.
I ask everyone to support this important bill.
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