[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF A BILL TO SUSPEND THE DUTY ON CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL TOYS 
                              AND DEVICES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WALLY HERGER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2004

  Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill to suspend 
the duty on electronic educational toys for children. This duty is, in 
fact, an educational tax on the consumer.
  At a time when we as policymakers are focusing on ways to enhance 
education for our children, it is important to aggressively promote 
tools that are valuable in teaching fundamental skills. Penalizing the 
consumer for buying educational toys is contrary to the country's 
educational goals.
  Currently, computers and toys enter the United States duty free. But 
electronic educational toys have a duty. This duty is inevitably passed 
on to the consumer. We do not want to create a situation where a 
consumer may be less inclined to buy an educational toy versus a 
regular toy, which has not had to absorb the cost of the duty.
  The company leading the fight to eliminate the tax on electronic 
educational toys is a California company, LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. 
LeapFrog is an innovative company and a leading developer of 
educational products, currently employing 1,000 people in my state.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in this effort to end an unwise tax 
on education.

                          ____________________