FTC: Made In The USA Comments Concerning Bob Franks--P894219 Congress of the
United States August 8, 1997 The Honorable Robert Pitofsky Dear Mr. Chairman: We are writing to offer comments concerning the proposed guidelines to lower the standard for the use of the "Made in USA” label. We submit the enclosed House Concurrent Resolution 80 and a current list of its 143 Congressional cosponsors. Shortly after the Commission published the proposed guidelines for comment in early May, we and a bipartisan group of our colleagues introduced H. Con. Res. 80 directly opposing the proposed guidelines and opposing any change in the existing standard for the "Made in USA” label that has been in effect for fifty years. In just 10 weeks since the introduction of our legislation, H. Con. Res. 80 has been cosponsored by more than one out of every four Members of Congress. Democrats and Republicans, representing over 85 million Americans in more than 30 states, have cosponsored this legislation, and more are cosponsoring every day. Support for H. Con. Res. 80 has come from Americans throughout the nation. Dozens of national consumer groups, businesses and business associations, agriculture organizations, and labor unions representing working men and women in many different industries all have joined together in support of this legislation and in opposition to a lower "Made in USA” standard. We and our colleagues are committed to fighting on behalf of the American people until we are assured that the truth of the "Made in USA” label will be protected and upheld by the Federal Government. We strongly urge the Commission to listen to the American people, and to the 143 Congressional cosponsors of H. Con. Res. 80, maintain the traditional "all or virtually all" standard for the use of the "Made in USA” label, and withdraw the proposed guidelines. Sincerely,
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER IV
Relating to
maintaining the current standard behind the "Made in
USA” IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MAY 15, 1997 Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. DINGELL, Mr. PAPPAS, Mr. FRELINGIIUYSEN, Mr. LOBIONDO, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, Mr. SAXTON, Mr. ANDREWS, Mr. BROWN of Ohio, Mr. MILLER of California, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. TRAFICANT, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina, and Mrs. ROUKEMA) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce _______________________________ CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Relating to maintaining the current standard behind the "Made in USA" label, in order to protect consumers and jobs in the United States. Whereas for the past several decades the "Made in USA" label has defined a product as having all or virtually all of its parts and labor originating in the United States; Whereas the people of the United States depend upon the integrity of this label when purchasing products; Whereas the label projects a sense of pride for American workmanship and value; Whereas the Federal Trade Commission has promulgated regulations to lower this standard to allow substantial amounts of a product to be of foreign origin; Whereas lowering this standard will be a misrepresentation to consumers in the United States who presently believe products bearing the "Made in USA" label were all or virtually all made in the United States; Whereas consumers in the United States are entitled to purchase products with the understanding that the labels on these products reflect consistent definitions; and Whereas the Federal Trade Commission is responsible for safeguarding the consumer from unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent practices: Now, therefore, be it
·HCON 80 IH Support for H. Con. Res. 80 MEMBERS: (143) AL:Aderholt, Riley, Hilliard, Everett, Bachus, Cramer ATTORNEYS GENERAL: Connecticut Iowa Kansas Maryland Michigan Nevada New Jersey Rhode Island Members to be added in support of H.
Con. Res. 80 David Price (NC) |