; Whereas equal pay strengthens the economic security of families and enhances retirement savings; Whereas, when women are paid fairly, families are stronger, businesses prosper, and American values and the economy are strengthened; Whereas, if women in the United States received equal pay comparable with men, poverty for working women would be reduced by more than 40 percent, and the economy would add $541,000,000,000 in wage and salary income annually; and Whereas numerous national organizations have designated Tuesday, March 12, 2024, as Equal Pay Day to represent the additional time that women must work to compensate for the average 16-percent lower wages paid to women working full time, year round last year: Now, therefore, be it