(Washington, DC)—Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II, will hold a rally on Monday morning to celebrate a new minimum wage. At 10:30 a.m., members of the AFL-CIO, SEIU, working men and women, as well as local ministers and elected officials will return to Mill Creek Park on the Plaza, where they rallied for the minimum wage nearly a year ago.
Tuesday, July 24, marks the official change of the federal minimum wage. Nearly 11 years have passed since the last time Congress voted to raise the minimum wage. This is the longest stretch between wage increases since the very first federal minimum wage law was put into effect in 1938.
“Last year, I told the working men and women of our District that I would fight for raising the minimum wage, and while it took far longer than it should have, I am proud to say we made a difference,” said Congressman Cleaver. "Over 178,000 Missouri workers, currently making $6.50 an hour, will see a $.75 cent an hour raise in their next paycheck."
The increase, while modest, will have a very real effect:
Transportation:

According to the AAA, a week’s worth of gas (one tank) costs $3.03 x 12 gallons= $36.36
Min Wage increase of $.75 x 40 hours = $30.00

Education:

According to the America Association to the Community Colleges, $1,500 per year (2000 hours x 75-cent) will pay for one semester’s fees and tuition at community college or one quarter of a public 4-year college.

Food:
 
The weekly cost of feeding a single child age 1-5 at home using the USDA low-cost budget, ranges from $23.70 to $26.00. A moderate-cost budget to feed a one-year old at home is $28.00. Over a full week of work - 40 hours- the 75-cent increase equals $30.00.

Health Care:

The 75-cent increase will pay the deductible in the typical private health insurance plan. In 2006, the average annual deductible in a private plan for a family was $1,034 for the year. 

Who:  Congressman Cleaver, members of the clergy, and labor leaders.
What:  A celebration of a higher minimum wage
When:  Monday, July 23, 2007 at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Mill Creek Park at the 47th Street entrance to the Plaza

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Belton, Raymore and Peculiar, Missouri. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee.