FTC: Made In The USA Comments Concerning Terence McHugh Shea--P894219 THE WHITE HOUSE
MEMORANDUM FOR FTC (11) FROM: SUE J. SMITH SUBJECT: REFERRAL OF WHITE HOUSE BULK MAIL AND RECENT CHANGES IN PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING OF THE BULK MAIL Thank you for your continued hard work in ensuring responses to the Presidential letters and inquiries forwarded to your agency. The volume of mail that President and Mrs. Clinton receive still remains unprecedented. As stated in my February 14, 1996 memorandum, we are continuing to refine our procedures and have instituted a change regarding bulk mail. It is no longer necessary for you to return this mail with a copy of your response. Please keep the original incoming letter along with a copy of any written or telephone response at your agency. Return any misreferrals to me at the following address:
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at 202/456-7486. From nobody@Whitehouse.GOV Mon May 5 17:52:26 1997 Date: Mon, 05 May 1997 17:50:09 -0400 [Connection Information] CLIENT:199.217.137.194[199.217.137.194] PERSONAL-NAME: Terence McHugh Shea [Message Information] PURPOSE: Offer neutral commentary, advice, or a
suggestion [Message] Dear Mr. Clinton, It has come to my attention that the Federal Trade Commission today announced a proposed rules change that would be a weakening of the requirements for a product to wear the "Made in the USA" label. I think these changes are wrong. These changes are bad for American workers such as myself, that repeatedly go out of our way to purchase as much of our products from American sources as possible. These changes set a very dangerous precedent when it comes to trade issues. The FTC release mentions something to the effect of "changing global marketplace," and reasons that consumers understand this situation. I agree that consumers understand this situation, but I am convinced that is why many of us try to buy American - because we care about American business and American jobs and we are specifically not interested in buying products that are manufactured in countries that exploit their workers. Please, do what you can to stop these changes, and encourage businesses to respect the current rule, even as they attempt to take more and American manufacturing offshore. Products that bear the label “Made in the USA” should be made entirely in the United States, not partially or subject to any convoluted, freely interpreted rules. These changes are wrong and a President who leads with the best interest of American workers should know it, too. I would like to know your position on the FTC proposal. Thank you. Terence McHugh Shea |