Introducing the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act of 2005

INTRODUCING THE PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT OF 2005 -- (Extensions of Remarks - July 01, 2005)

SPEECH OF HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2005

* Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with Representative GEORGE MILLER to introduce the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act of 2005.

* More than a decade ago, the momentous and highly successful Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) became law. With the FMLA, Congress required large companies to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid family and medical leave to its employees. And while no one will argue with FMLA's success, there remains room for improvement.

* On July 1, 2004, California became one of five states to improve FMLA by providing 6 weeks of paid leave. A study found that by providing wages during periods of leave, the new program worked even better than the original. A higher percentage of workers returned to their jobs after taking paid leave, and businesses were having no trouble shifting the workload absent employees left behind.

* Prudently, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act introduced today builds on the successes of both FMLA and the California paid-leave program. This new bill provides workers nationwide with up to 55 percent of their wages for as long as 12 weeks. This leave can be used to care for a newborn or adopted child, disabled family members, or to take care of their own short-term disability.

* Since unpaid leave has worked well to reduce worker turnover and improve workers productivity, there is every reason to believe that paid leave would improve the lives of families and increase the profits of companies further.

* In addition, the Harvard School for Public Health reports that the education and health of children improves when their parents have paid sick leave and work flexibility. Of children whose math and reading scores are in the bottom 25 percent, more than half have parents who lack paid sick leave and work flexibility. These same children were more likely to suffer from sickness, infection, chronic illness and under-immunization.

* A Canadian government study demonstrated that extended time off for parents with their newborn child is directly associated with the successful social and cognitive growth of the child.

* I'm pleased to have worked closely with a wide range of worker and consumer organizations to develop this bill. The legislation is endorsed by the AFL-CIO, United Auto Workers, National Partnership for Women and Families, and others.

* With continued rhetoric focusing on ``family values,'' this bill gives Congress a concrete opportunity to strengthen both families and businesses.

* I urge my colleagues to cosponsor the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, and look forward to enacting this bill to strengthen families, make businesses more competitive and create a stronger America for the future.

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