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Press Release: Statement Of LULAC National President Rosa Rosales On Signing Of Historic Equal Pay Bill. January 29, 2009 For more information contact: Washington, DC – The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National President Rosa Rosales issued the following statement following President Barack Obama signing of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act ensuring that paycheck equality continues to break down barriers for Latinos: “President Obama in signing this historic first bill said in a ceremony in the White House today that ‘If we stay focused, as Lilly did, and keep standing for what's right, as Lilly did, we will close that pay gap and ensure that our daughters have the same rights, the same chances, and the same freedom to pursue their dreams as our sons.’ As a representative of the Hispanic community, this has been long overdue. Minority women, especially Latinas, fare significantly worse in comparison to white men. African American women earned just 69 cents for every dollar earned by a man, while a Hispanic woman earned only 59 cents on the dollar compared to a male counterpart. It is a great day in America. Equal pay for equal work will mean a stimulated economy and the ability for Latino families to be self-sufficient. For Latinas this literally means a difference between living in poverty and living the American dream of economic stability.” The League of United Latin American Citizens, the oldest and largest Hispanic membership organization in the country, advances the economic conditions, educational attainment, political influence, health and civil rights of Hispanic Americans through community-based programs operating at more than 700 LULAC councils nationwide. # # # |