HI HCR56

Designates the fourth Tuesday in April as Equal Pay Day in Hawaii annually to raise awareness about wage discrimination and pay equity issues.

Urges state and county employees and officials to wear red on Equal Pay Day to demonstrate support for equal pay for all workers.

Calls on Congress to support legislation providing more effective remedies for wage discrimination based on gender, specifically referencing the Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R. 1338).

Highlights that in 2009, women earned only 77 cents for every dollar earned by men, requiring women to work an extra three-and-a-half months to match men's annual earnings.

Notes that pay disparities disproportionately affect women of color and contribute to higher poverty rates among older women who have accumulated less retirement savings over a lifetime of lower wages.