[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 79 (Friday, May 12, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S6642]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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         CONSUMER PRODUCTS SAFETY COMMISSION CUTBACKS A THREAT

 Mr. BREAUX. Mr. President, on behalf of my colleague, Senator Johnston 
and myself, I ask that an article printed in the New Orleans Times-
Picayune be printed in the Congressional Record.
  We found the discussion of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety 
Commission very interesting and wanted to share these informative 
comments with our colleagues.
  The article follows:

                    Cutbacks to CPSC Threaten Us All

       Today in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Consumer Product Safety 
     Commission is conducting a conference titled ``Safety 
     Sells.'' The one-day event features business executives who 
     will ``highlight product safety as an emerging business 
     trend.''
       In a press release describing the event, the commission 
     said executives from Toys R Us, Hasbro Inc., Proctor & Gamble 
     Co. and Volvo ``will discuss how they have improved their 
     competitive positions by selling safety.''
       In the case of Volvo, that's certainly true. Its promotions 
     appeal to the growing number of car buyers, who intelligently 
     shop for safer cars, armed with Consumer Reports or the ``Car 
     Book,'' by Jack Gillis.
       But toys? There are no books or magazines that list the 
     safe ones and the dangerous ones to avoid. And the steady 
     infusion of imported toys, made in countries that do not have 
     safety standards as rigid as ours, routinely pass undetected 
     through customs, filling the marketplace with unsafe products 
     for children.
       We're talking about toys with excessive amounts of lead or 
     small parts that can choke children, bunk beds that fall 
     apart, etc. Their existence is why a significant portion of 
     this column is routinely given to warning readers about 
     recalls.
       Imported toys can be bought cheaply and sold at huge 
     profits. And even if there's a recall, the companies know 
     that most buyers will never find out about it and, therefore, 
     their profits will remain high.
       One of our best defenses against unsafe products is the 
     U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the only federal 
     agency that identifies and acts on a wide range of product 
     safety hazards, from toys to bikes to household products.
       Unfortunately, the current trend for ``less government 
     interference'' could seriously undermine the commission's 
     much-needed work if it results in additional cutbacks to this 
     important consumer watchdog. If that were to happen, the only 
     beneficiary would be the corporations that profit from unsafe 
     products.
       During the Reagan administration, the commission's budget 
     and staff were cut in half. Then, as now, it operates on a 
     $42-million annual budget--not much for a major federal 
     agency that addresses the hazards in our lives. Consider 
     these facts from the commission:
       Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death among 
     people under 45 years old and is the fourth leading cause of 
     death in the nation.
       More children die from injuries than from diseases.
       There are 21,700 deaths and 28.6 million injuries each year 
     related to consumer products under commission jurisdiction.
       The deaths, injuries and property damage associated with 
     consumer products cost the nation about $200 billion 
     annually. Consumer product injuries account for one out of 
     every six hospital days in this country.
       The commission is the only agency addressing product safety 
     and health hazards for more than 15,000 consumer products.
       What's more, the money used to support the commission gives 
     an excellent return. Every dangerous product removed from the 
     marketplace prevents an increase in the national health care 
     bill.
       On the local level, I have nothing but high praises for 
     Sonny Sturdivant and Sidney Englander, the CPSC field 
     inspectors, who are invaluable sources of help for this 
     column and to the residents in this area.
       If potential cutbacks to the commission worry you, as it 
     does me, you may want to contact your representatives in 
     Washington and let your feelings be known.
     

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