Remarks by the President at dinner for Senator Boxer and the DNC, 4/19/10
Museum of Natural History, Los Angeles, California
8:01 P.M. PDT
THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody! Hello, hello, hello! (Applause.) Thank you, everybody. Please have a seat. Have a seat. I’ve got so many good friends in this magnificent setting that I don’t want to single anybody out, but there are a couple of people that I do have to acknowledge. First of all, our two DNC Southern California co-chairs -- John Emerson and Ken Solomon. Thank you for everything that you’ve done to make this evening possible. (Applause.)
I feel bad for the Emersons, though. Apparently they were on their way to Paris and the ash got in the way. So this is a consolation -- (laughter) -- spending time with me. But I’m thrilled to be here. They’ve been longtime supporters ever since I first ran for the United States Senate. And Ken has been just a terrific supporter of Democratic causes and my campaigns as well. So thank you, to all of you.
He started off not only as one of the finest governors in the country, he was also the first person to endorse me outside of the state of Illinois. Now, I have to admit that he was term-limited, so -- (laughter) -- maybe there wasn’t that much of a downside to it. But at a time when nobody could pronounce my name and nobody gave me a chance, this person stood beside me in the seat of the old Confederacy, in Richmond, Virginia. And I am so grateful to him for not only the leadership he showed on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia, but the leadership he’s shown as our DNC chair. Please give Tim Kaine a big round of applause. (Applause.)
Now, I don’t know if he’s still here, but you’ve got an outstanding mayor in Mayor Villaraigosa, so please give him a big round of applause. (Applause.)
And obviously I want everybody to give a bunch of whoops and hollers on behalf of
Presidential Proclamation -- National Equal Pay Day
A PROCLAMATION
Throughout our Nation's history, extraordinary women have broken barriers to achieve their dreams and blazed trails so their daughters would not face similar obstacles. Despite decades of progress, pay inequity still hinders women and their families across our country. National Equal Pay Day symbolizes the day when an average American woman's earnings finally match what an average American man earned in the past year. Today, we renew our commitment to end wage discrimination and celebrate the strength and vibrancy women add to our economy.
Our Nation's workforce includes more women than ever before. In households across the country, many women are the sole breadwinner, or share this role equally with their partner. However, wage discrimination still exists. Nearly half of all working Americans are women, yet they earn only about 80 cents for every dollar men earn. This gap increases among minority women and those with disabilities.
Pay inequity is not just an issue for women; American families, communities, and our entire economy suffer as a result of this disparity. We are still recovering from our economic crisis, and many hardworking Americans are still feeling its effects. Too many families are struggling to pay their bills or put food on the table, and this challenge should not be exacerbated by discrimination. I was proud that the first bill I signed into law, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, helps women achieve wage fairness. This law brings us closer to ending pay disparities based on gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, or disability by allowing more individuals to challenge inequality.
To further highlight the challenges women face and to provide a coordinated Federal response, I established the White House Council on Women and Girls. My Administration also created a National Equal Pay Enforcement
Statement by the President on the Passing of Dr. Dorothy Height
Throughout our Nation's history, extraordinary women have broken barriers to achieve their dreams and blazed trails so their daughters would not face similar obstacles. Despite decades of progress, pay inequity still hinders women and their families across our country. National Equal Pay Day symbolizes the day when an average American woman's earnings finally match what an average American man earned in the past year. Today, we renew our commitment to end wage discrimination and celebrate the strength and vibrancy women add to our economy.
Our Nation's workforce includes more women than ever before. In households across the country, many women are the sole breadwinner, or share this role equally with their partner. However, wage discrimination still exists. Nearly half of all working Americans are women, yet they earn only about 80 cents for every dollar men earn. This gap increases among minority women and those with disabilities.
Pay inequity is not just an issue for women; American families, communities, and our entire economy suffer as a result of this disparity. We are still recovering from our economic crisis, and many hardworking Americans are still feeling its effects. Too many families are struggling to pay their bills or put food on the table, and this challenge should not be exacerbated by discrimination. I was proud that the first bill I signed into law, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, helps women achieve wage fairness. This law brings us closer to ending pay disparities based on gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, or disability by allowing more individuals to challenge inequality.
To further highlight the challenges women face and to provide a coordinated Federal response, I established the White House Council on Women and Girls. My Administration also created a National Equal Pay Enforcement
Statement by the President on the Passing of Dr. Dorothy Height
Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Dorothy Height - the godmother of the Civil Rights Movement and a hero to so many Americans. Ever since she was denied entrance to college because the incoming class had already met its quota of two African American women, Dr. Height devoted her life to those struggling for equality. She led the National Council of Negro Women for 40 years, and served as the only woman at the highest level of the Civil Rights Movement - witnessing every march and milestone along the way. And even in the final weeks of her life – a time when anyone else would have enjoyed their well-earned rest – Dr. Height continued her fight to make our nation a more open and inclusive place for people of every race, gender, background and faith. Michelle and I offer our condolences to all those who knew and loved Dr. Height – and all those whose lives she touched.