[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 15, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 15, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                         NATIONAL SEWING MONTH

                                 ______


                          HON. THOMAS E. PETRI

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 15, 1994

  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing legislation to designate the 
month of September as ``National Sewing Month.''
  National Sewing Month was previously designated by the Congress each 
year from 1984 to 1988 to increase interest in home sewing.
  It is estimated that over 30 million Americans sew at home. Many of 
these individuals have used their acquired sewing skills to enter 
fashion design, retail merchandising, interior design, patternmaking, 
and textiles.
  The great majority of these careers had their beginning in seventh or 
eighth grade home economics classes where the enjoyment and pride 
associated with sewing was first encountered. For generations, the 
fundamentals of home sewing have also been learned in the context of 
the family.
  The sewing industry employs thousands of individuals in the 
manufacture, wholesale, retail, and service sectors. The industry 
generates over $3.5 billion in sales annually and each year invests 
millions of dollars in plants and machinery.
  This September will mark a continuation of a industrywide effort to 
revitalize the sewing spirit in America, as the American Home Sewing 
Association conducts an extensive nationwide promotion of National 
Sewing Month.
  A wide variety of civic organizations will be invited to participate, 
including home economics teachers, county extension agents, 4-H clubs, 
the Girl Scouts, American Sewing Guild chapters, Future Home Makers of 
America, and many others.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in this effort to 
cosponsor this joint resolution designating September as ``National 
Sewing Month.''

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