[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S12423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           METRIC CONVERSION

 Mr. PELL. Mr. President, As my colleagues have heard me say 
many times before, The United States is the only industrialized country 
in the world that has not converted to the metric system of 
measurement. I ask my colleagues to imagine what we are missing by 
being so out of step with the rest of the world.
  The answer is basic: The United States stands to gain untold 
millions--possibly billions--in export trade we are currently losing 
because our non-metric products literally do not fit into international 
markets. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that U.S. exports 
could be increased by up to 20 percent by offering metric-sized goods 
to international markets. In a booklet published by the Small Business 
Administration [SBA] for small businesses considering converting to the 
metric system, the SBA cites three examples of the trade problems 
caused by the production of nonmetric goods.
  Saudi Arabia rejected a shipment of American-made appliances because 
the power cords were 6 feet long rather than the 2 meter length 
required by Saudi law.
  A Middle Eastern company was forced to rewire all electronic 
equipment imported from the United States because standard American 
wire sizes are different from international standards.
  Countries around the world have great difficulty finding American 
lumber companies that will produce lumber in metric lengths for use in 
the construction.
  In that regard, I strongly believe that the Federal Government should 
lead by example and conduct its business, including all procurement, in 
the metric system. By doing business and thereby promoting the metric 
system, our Government would send a very important and badly needed 
signal to American businesses and our trade partners around the world 
that as a nation we are back on track with the conversion process that 
has already taken place in the rest of the modern world.
  During the closing weeks of this Congress, I had the pleasure of 
working with Senator Glenn and Senator Hollings in an effort to 
moderate antimetric legislation that came before the Senate. Senator 
Hollings and I have worked together on this issue for some time--
particularly in the all important area of trade. I am confident he will 
continue this fight in the years to come.
  Senator John Glenn--a pioneer in space exploration--is a man of 
science, a man of the future. During floor debate on unfunded mandates 
legislation a the beginning of the 104th Congress he gave a most 
eloquent defense of the metric system. The metric system is an integral 
part of both science and our future. I hope Senator Glenn will take my 
place and bring his knowledge and experience to the fight.

                          ____________________