Federal Trade Commission
Received Documents
P894219
Dec 14 1995
B18354900013
Secretary

18 Carue Drive
Scituate Rhode Island 02857
November 28, 1995

Federal Trade Commission
Made in the U.S.A.
Room 159
6th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue
Northwest, Washington, D.C. 20580

Dear Sirs,
     Buying products that are made in the U.S.A. is important to me as a consumer.  I have
found that most American made products are of better quality than foreign merchandise.  For
example, pencils manufactured in China are less durable than those made in America.  These
foreign pencils break easily, the tips fall apart in the pencil sharpener, and the erasers fall out and
leave a red trace on the page when used.  For this reason, I look for the "Made in the U.S.A."
label.  These labels should be restricted to products made entirely in the United States.
     Restricting the label protects the consumer from false advertising.  Truth in advertising is
important to the consumers, and companies should not be allowed to misrepresent their products. 
The buyer has a right to know if part of a product is not made in the United States.  If
manufacturers are allowed to use the label despite the truth, then the label becomes ambiguous.
     Some manufacturers will argue that having their products made entirely in the United
States is impossible.  Nothing is impossible.  Many companies make it happen by finding
innovative solutions to the problem.  An example of this is the Converse shoe company.  They
 make a Chuck Taylor All Star, and it is manufactured entirely in the United States.  These
companies should be rewarded, not ignored.  By restricting the label, companies are encouraged
to explore ways to manufacture 100% of their product in the U.S..
         The label "Made in the U.S.A." benefits those companies that do make their product in the
United States.  Some buyers prefer products that are labeled "Made in the U.S.A.", if
misrepresentation is allowed, then this exclusive market is taken away.  Limiting the label,
safeguards the company that makes their product entirely in the U.S. from their competitor who
might seek cheap labor or materials outside the U.S..
         Do not allow the "Made in the U.S.A." label to be corrupted.  Trust in a company and its
product is dependent upon this label.  The integrity of the label, the product, and the United
States of America must be upheld.
                                  Your concerned consumer,
                                  Jesse F. Bromley