Larson: Paid Parental Leave Act Puts Working Families First
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 4, 2009
CONTACT: Emily Barocas/202-225-7295
LARSON: PAIDPARENTAL LEAVE ACT PUTS WORKING FAMILIES FIRST
Congressman authoredone of nation's first family leave laws
Washington, DC - The House of Representativespassed legislation today that will provide federal employees with up to fourweeks of paid leave after the birth or adoption of a child, bringing thefederal government up to the same standards as most private sectoremployees. The Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave Act puts America'sworking families first.
Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), Chairman of theHouse Democratic Caucus, said:
"Twenty years ago, as President Pro Tem of theConnecticut State Senate, I proudly sponsored the nation's first family andmedical leave bill to be signed into law, written with the help of renownedexpert Dr. Edward Zigler of Yale University. The State of Connecticutbecame a laboratory for legislation that provided leave for new parents andcaretakers, and a similar bill was eventually adopted on a nationallevel. I said then, and I still believe, that the family has taken a backseat in many of our social and economic priorities and it is our duty to standup for the American family now. Investing in our families is the best wayto prepare the next generation for the future."
"The legislation that passed the House today once againputs working families first by providing federal employees with four weeks ofpaid leave after the birth or adoption of a child. This means that newparents won't have to choose between their paycheck and spending time withtheir child. It protects the crucial first few weeks of a child's life inthe home - giving parents time to bond with and care for their new child orinfant.
"By passing the Paid Parental Leave Act we will providefederal employees with benefits similar to many private sector employees - andhelp set a new standard for other employers who don't provide this type ofleave. The legislation gives the federal government the tools it needs torecruit and retain a topnotch workforce and save money by reducing the costs ofturnover and lost employees.
"Preserving the American family should be one of our toppriorities. In 1990 I wrote that the ‘days of the traditional male breadwinnerand the stay-at home mother are gone for many people.' That is even truertoday. Things have changed and rather than pretend they haven't, we mustadapt the workplace to accommodate the progress our nation has made. Thislegislation does just that."
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