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Washington, DC, March 23, 2000–The National Urban League is in full support of raising the minimum wage by $1.00 over two years, from the current level of $5.15 to $6.15 an hour, as proposed by Senator Kennedy (D-MA). Dr. William Spriggs, Director of Research and Public Policy for the National Urban League, maintains that there is no need for prolonged debate on this issue.

"Minimum wage workers should not be kept on hold any longer," Dr. Spriggs stated. "Let the increase become public law this year. Enacting this legislation would mean that the 106^th Congress would not lose a key opportunity to make work pay for millions of low-wage workers. This is one important step towards closing the income gap that threatens American ideals of fairness and equality."

Dr. Spriggs went on to say that raising the minimum wage would have an immediate impact on the lives of approximately 10.1 million workers who earn between $5.15 an hour and $6.14 an hour. Of these, about 1.6 million (16%) are African American, 2 million (20%) are Hispanic, 7 million (69%) are adults age 20 and over, and about 6 million or 60% are women. Nearly half (4.6 million) have full-time jobs.

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According to the League, dire predictions that raising the minimum wage will "harm" low-wage workers by eliminating their jobs just doesn\'t meet the reality test. A 1998 study by the Economic Policy Institute documents that the 1996-1997 minimum wage increase had no negative effect on jobs or inflation. Instead, the last increase raised the earnings of low-wage workers and lifted the incomes of their families.

Additionally, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that since the 1996 and 1997 increases took effect, the unemployment rate has fallen to a record low, and among teenagers, African Americans, Hispanic Americans and women, unemployment is down and employment rates are up.

Founded in 1910, the National Urban League remains the premier social service and civil rights organization in America. The League is a non-profit, community-based organization headquartered in New York City, with 115 affiliates in 35 states and the District of Columbia.