PROCLAMATION 7117—AUG. 25, 1998 112 STAT. 3791 only unfairly limits a woman's ability to provide for her family's economic security, but also diminishes her dignity by belittling the value of her labor. While we have made progress in closing this pay gap in the 35 years since the enactment of the Equal Pay Act, women today continue to make less than men for the same work—earning 76 cents for every dollar paid to a man. As we celebrate the Equal Pay Act's anniversary, we must reaffirm our commitment to making equal pay for equal work a reality in the workplace. My Administration supports new proposed legislation that will close the pay gap completely, strengthen enforcement of the Equal Pay Act, and tou^en penalties for violations. My Administration is striving to ensure women's equality in other areas of our society. We have dramatically increased the funding for research, prevention, and treatment of diseases that predominantly af- fect women. Through the Family and Medical Leave Act that I signed and our proposed child care initiative, we are working to help women balance flieir responsibilities at home and on the job. During the past 5 years, the Small Business Administration has tripled loans to women-owned businesses, and we have strengthened enforcement of Title IX to ensvire that education programs, activities, and institutions receiving Federal funds do not discriminate on the basis of gender. On Women's Equality Day, as we look back on what we have accomplished, we also recognize how far we have to go before we complete the journey that began so long ago. As women continue to distinguish themselves in boardrooms, classrooms, courtrooms, and family rooms across America, we must renew our efforts to empower all women with the rights and opportunities promised by our founders and fought for by the heroic women and men whose achievements we honor today. NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim August 26, 1998, as Women's Equality Day. I call upon the citizens of om- great Nation to observe this day with appropriate programs and activities. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of August, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety- eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-third. WILLIAM J. CUNTON Proclamation 7117 of August 25, 1998 Death of Lewis F. Powell, Jr. By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation As a mark of respect for the memory of Lewis F. Powell, Jr., retired Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff on the day of his interment. On such
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