Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness and International Standards Conforming Act

WOOL SUIT FABRIC LABELING FAIRNESS AND INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS CONFORMING ACT -- (House of Representatives - September 19, 2006)

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Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4583, the Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness and International Standards Conforming Act; and I want to thank Representative Blackburn, the lead sponsor of H.R. 4583. It was a pleasure to work with her and her staff on a bill that would help consumers, American workers, and manufacturers in the wool products industry.

Our bill would update the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 to include the internationally recognized standards for wool fiber content of the various ``super'' grade fabric, and ensure that any clothing labeled as cashmere actually includes hair from the cashmere goat.

Although quite simple and straightforward, our bill is very important to the U.S. wool products industry. With the increase in imports from China, the domestic apparel manufacturers and textile mills face significant challenges to maintaining employment and production. By requiring clothing to be labeled properly, our bill will help level the playing field. It will ensure that consumers are better informed about the products they are buying, and it will put an end to mislabeled wool and cashmere products in the United States. No longer will imported suits of a lower quality be able to claim they are the same high quality as those bearing the ``made in the U.S.A.'' label. This bill updates the outdated law that does not recognize the different levels of yarn fineness.

We have a great tradition of wool suit craftsmanship in the United States. By updating the Wool Products Labeling Act, H.R. 4583 will help ensure the health and vitality of the U.S. apparel and textile industry which includes members of my union, UNITE HERE!, and two Chicago-based manufacturers, Hartmarx and Oxxford Clothes.

The passage of our bill will ensure that the U.S. tailored clothing industry can continue to thrive in the international marketplace. H.R. 4583 is supported both by the wool suit manufacturers and the Garment Workers Union, UNITE HERE!, as well as the U.S. textile industry. I urge my colleagues to support it as well, and I look forward to the passage of this bill today.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, let me close by saying this: this is really a jobs bill and a truth-in-labeling bill. It is a win-win-win situation: good for the consumers, good for the manufacturers, good for the garment workers. And I urge its passage.

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