[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 60 (Saturday, April 12, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E782-E783]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF THE ``STICK A CORK IN THE CORK TARIFF ACT OF 2003''

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB SIMMONS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Saturday, April 12, 2003

  Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to introduce my 
``Stick A Cork In The Cork Tariff Act of 2003,'' a bill that will 
assist small business and sportsmen by reducing the unfairly high 
import duty on cork.
  Makers of fishing rods, and particularly fly-fishing rods, are under 
pressure to significantly increase the price of their equipment because 
of prohibitively high duties on cork. Cork is the primary component of 
a fishing pole's grip. It is not available domestically and must be 
imported. While the tariff on already-finished cork is 6 percent and 
lower, unfinished cork is subject to a 14 percent duty. Such unfinished 
cork is imported and subsequently handcrafted by

[[Page E783]]

American workers onto the custom-made fly fishing rods that so many 
sportsmen enjoy. Mr. Speaker, it just doesn't make sense that Customs 
would charge a 6 percent tariff on a pre-finished product while levying 
a much-higher 14 percent duty on a good that is finished with American 
hands.
  In my own district, REC Components of Enfield (CT) employs more than 
twenty highly skilled individuals to create such fly fishing rods. Mr. 
Speaker, REC Components and the working men and women at the company 
are dependent upon imported cork. The current duty being levied upon 
such cork jeopardizes this company and these jobs. Other manufacturers 
in this industry face the same problem. Whether in Wisconsin, 
Washington, Montana, or Georgia, small businesses are being made to 
bear this unfair burden for no good reason.
  This is why my legislation has such bipartisan, national support, 
including the American Sportfishing Association, the American Fly 
Fishing Trade Association, and the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus.
  Mr. Speaker, It has always been my understanding that Customs duties 
were established to protect American industry. If cork is not available 
in the United States and it is the only product that can be used to 
manufacture the grips on fly fishing rods, I fail to see why we are 
charging such a duty.
  At a time when many Americans are still experiencing economic 
insecurity, it is critical that we take steps in the Congress to create 
more jobs and strengthen the ones we have. While Congress is working to 
craft a jobs and growth package, we also must consider other measures 
that, although less comprehensive, similarly take steps to boost our 
economy.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in support of 
small businesses, American workers, outdoor retailers, sportsmen 
everywhere. Support the ``Stick A Cork In The Cork Tariff Act of 
2003.''

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