[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 AMERICAN LEADERSHIP IN GOLF CLUB MANUFACTURING NEEDS FAIRNESS IN NEW 
                           TRADE REGULATIONS

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                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 1996

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM, Mr. Speaker, golf was not invented in the United 
States. But the United States leads the world in the manufacturing of 
quality golf clubs. Golfers know that most of these manufacturers are 
headquartered in California, predominantly in Carlsbad in my 
congressional district. They dominate this $2 billion industry because 
they lead in research and development of new materials that improve the 
performance, durability, and appearance of golf clubs. Major American 
investment have been made in the research, development, design, and 
manufacture of golf clubs, components, and their materials.
  To remain competitive, these companies at times source components, 
such as golf club heads, offshore. Their high-paying research and 
design and final manufacturing operations remain here in the United 
States. Modern quality domestic golf clubs undergo precision operations 
involving many skilled U.S. technicians, using leading edge assembly 
and test equipment here in the United States.
  Unfortunately, the prosperity of American employer is threatened and 
disrupted by country of origin marking rules and regulations. These 
have been adopted and proposed by the U.S. Customs Service. They 
include the NAFTA marking regulations, the proposed marking 
regulations, and ultimately the Uruguay round country of origin changes 
scheduled for implementation in several years. The U.S. golf club 
industry has been able to cope with U.S. Customs regulations prior to 
implementation of the NAFTA marking rules. But the new country of 
origin marking requirements have become real trade and economic 
barriers. Contrary to their stated purpose, the new requirements are 
less understandable, more subjective, and more burdensome that previous 
marking requirements.
  The marking problems can be resolved by recognizing that the process 
of final manufacturing of golf clubs in the United States is clearly a 
substantial transformation. Unlike golf clubs of the past, the final 
manufacturing of modern golf clubs is a high-precision, multi-step 
process by skilled U.S. technicians requiring significant attention to 
detail. They use laser guided equipment and highly sensitive scales to 
determine the weights of individual components and final clubs. Any 
slight variance causes the rejection of a club that does not meet 
company of industry swingweight standards.
  The U.S. golf club manufacturing industry is a significant domestic 
employer that deserves to be treated fairly by trade laws. New and 
proposed country of origin marking requirements simply fail to 
recognize the technological progress this industry has made, at the 
demand of golfers everywhere. By enacting legislation that reflects 
current industry practices, we restore trade fairness to the U.S. golf 
club industry, preserve good American jobs, and enhance our trade 
competitiveness.

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