Dowagiac graduates rally for national hike in minimum wage
Published 6:03 am Wednesday, August 10, 2005
By Staff
Ryan Latourette, a 1990 Dowagiac Union High School graduate, and Chris Hodshire, a 1991 DUHS graduate, attended the recent minimum wage increase rally in Lansing.
Special guest speaker and long time advocate for a national minimum wage increase, Sen. John Edwards, was also present at the rally that took place on Wednesday, June 29, at the State Capitol.
One prime goal of the rally is to push Michigan legislators to increase the state's minimum wage, extend employee benefits and to spur job growth for the state of Michigan.
ACORN and AFL-CIO rallied together with labor, faith-based organizations, university students, community organizers and other community allies across the state in support of raising the minimum wage.
Hodshire, who is doing his field placement with City Commissioner of Kalamazoo Don Cooney says, "The whole country has been long overdue for a minimum wage increase.
After the event, Hodshire talked to Senator Edwards and one of Edwards consultants about paying a visit to Western Michigan University for the fall 2005 to discuss with students about the national minimum wage problem and what we as citizen can do to make a change. Edward accepted the offer as long as it can be coordinated into his future-demanding schedule.
For more information about minimum wage and living wage policies please refer to: http://www.acorn.orgr