Labor Secretary Thomas Perez will discuss the economy at a National Press Club Luncheon on Oct. 20

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Oct 02, 2014, 11:20 ET

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez will discuss the U.S. economy and labor situation in a speech entitled "Shared Prosperity: Building an Economy that Works for Everyone," at a National Press Club luncheon on Oct. 20.

Perez has been an advocate for boosting the federal minimum wage to $10.10, and has been meeting with business leaders across the country to argue that higher wages can improve the economy.

The economy has added about 1.8 million jobs in the last year and the unemployment rate has declined from 7.2 percent to 6.1 percent in that time. Still, there remain more than 3 million people who have been out of work for more than six months.

Perez has encouraged employers to give long-term unemployed workers a shot at a job.

The Press Club luncheon will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. Remarks will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session ending at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchase by going to the following link. The cost of luncheon admission is $22 for National Press Club members (NPC members may purchase two tickets at this price) and $36 for all other non-members. Tickets must be purchased at time of reservation.

National Press Club Luncheons are webcast live on press.org. Follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #NPCLunch, or on Facebook at (facebook.com/PressClubDC) and Twitter (@PressClubDC). Submit questions for speakers in advance and during the live event by sending them to @QNPCLunch on Twitter. Or email a question in advance, type PEREZ in the subject line and send to [email protected] before 10 a.m. on the day of event.

The Press Club is on the 13th floor, 529 14th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. Credentialed press may cover this event with ID.

About the National Press Club
The National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists with more than 3,300 members worldwide representing every major news organization. More than 250,000 people visit the Club each year to attend more than 2,000 events. The Club was founded in 1908 and is on the web at press.org.

For More Information
Melinda Cooke: 202- 662-7516
[email protected]

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SOURCE National Press Club