[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 117 (Tuesday, September 19, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H6664-H6666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    WOOL SUIT FABRIC LABELING FAIRNESS AND INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS 
                             CONFORMING ACT

  Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4583) to amend the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 to 
revise the requirements for labeling of certain wool and cashmere 
products, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4583

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Wool Suit Fabric Labeling 
     Fairness and International Standards Conforming Act''.

     SEC. 2. LABELING OF WOOL AND CASHMERE PRODUCTS TO FACILITATE 
                   COMPLIANCE AND PROTECT CONSUMERS.

       (a) In General.--Section 4(a) of the Wool Products Labeling 
     Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. 68b(a)) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(5) In the case of a wool product stamped, tagged, 
     labeled, or otherwise identified as--
       ``(A) `Super 80's' or `80's', if the average diameter of 
     wool fiber of such wool product does not average 19.75 
     microns or finer;
       ``(B) `Super 90's' or `90's', if the average diameter of 
     wool fiber of such wool product does not average 19.25 
     microns or finer;
       ``(C) `Super 100's' or `100's', if the average diameter of 
     wool fiber of such wool product does not average 18.75 
     microns or finer;
       ``(D) `Super 110's' or `110's', if the average diameter of 
     wool fiber of such wool product does not average 18.25 
     microns or finer;

[[Page H6665]]

       ``(E) `Super 120's' or `120's', if the average diameter of 
     wool fiber of such wool product does not average 17.75 
     microns or finer;
       ``(F) `Super 130's' or `130's', if the average diameter of 
     wool fiber of such wool product does not average 17.25 
     microns or finer;
       ``(G) `Super 140's' or `140's', if the average diameter of 
     wool fiber of such wool product does not average 16.75 
     microns or finer;
       ``(H) `Super 150's' or `150's', if the average diameter of 
     wool fiber of such wool product does not average 16.25 
     microns or finer;
       ``(I) `Super 160's' or `160's', if the average diameter of 
     wool fiber of such wool product does not average 15.75 
     microns or finer;
       ``(J) `Super 170's' or `170's', if the average diameter of 
     wool fiber of such wool product does not average 15.25 
     microns or finer;
       ``(K) `Super 180's' or `180's', if the average diameter of 
     wool fiber of such wool product does not average 14.75 
     microns or finer;
       ``(L) `Super 190's' or `190's', if the average diameter of 
     wool fiber of such wool product does not average 14.25 
     microns or finer;
       ``(M) `Super 200's' or `200's', if the average diameter of 
     wool fiber of such wool product does not average 13.75 
     microns or finer;
       ``(N) `Super 210's' or `210's', if the average diameter of 
     wool fiber of such wool product does not average 13.25 
     microns or finer;
       ``(O) `Super 220's' or `220's', if the average diameter of 
     wool fiber of such wool product does not average 12.75 
     microns or finer;
       ``(P) `Super 230's' or `230's', if the average diameter of 
     wool fiber of such wool product does not average 12.25 
     microns or finer;
       ``(Q) `Super 240's' or `240's', if the average diameter of 
     wool fiber of such wool product does not average 11.75 
     microns or finer; and
       ``(R) `Super 250's' or `250's', if the average diameter of 
     wool fiber of such wool product does not average 11.25 
     microns or finer.
     In each such case, the average fiber diameter of such wool 
     product may be subject to such standards or deviations as 
     adopted by regulation by the Commission.
       ``(6) In the case of a wool product stamped, tagged, 
     labeled, or otherwise identified as cashmere, if--
       ``(A) such wool product is not the fine (dehaired) 
     undercoat fibers produced by a cashmere goat (capra hircus 
     laniger);
       ``(B) the average diameter of the fiber of such wool 
     product exceeds 19 microns; or
       ``(C) such wool product contains more than 3 percent (by 
     weight) of cashmere fibers with average diameters that exceed 
     30 microns.
     The average fiber diameter may be subject to a coefficient of 
     variation around the mean that shall not exceed 24 
     percent.''.
       (b) Applicability Date.--The amendments made by this 
     section shall apply to wool products manufactured on or after 
     January 1, 2007.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Stearns) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. 
Schakowsky) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on the legislation and to insert extraneous material on the 
bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4583, the Wool Suit 
Fabric Labeling Fairness and International Standards Conforming Act, 
introduced by my colleague, Mrs. Blackburn of Tennessee, and co-
sponsored by my colleague, the ranking member of our subcommittee, Ms. 
Schakowsky of Illinois.
  This is a simple bill, my colleagues, which is fundamental and has a 
fundamental purpose: to give consumers the information they need to 
make buying decisions about the products they want.
  This bill would amend the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 to make 
specific and standard certain designations of fabric quality for 
certain wool products.
  For years, high-end suits and other expensive wool garments have 
carried the label ``super'' and a number like 120 or 130, to designate 
the fineness of the weave of the wool and thus the quality and cost of 
producing the fabric. It is about time we make certain that there is a 
standard, internationally accepted definition of the ``super'' 
designation to ensure that unscrupulous garment manufacturers don't 
dupe consumers with simple phony labels. We owe that to the American 
consumer and to the great American textile industry that produces these 
fine products.
  H.R. 4583 makes the ``super'' designation a standard designation of 
quality wool products. Likewise, the Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness 
and International Standards Conforming Act creates a specific and 
standard definition of cashmere so that the term cashmere actually 
means a certain thing rather than serving as an nonspecific reference 
to a quality. The end result is a bill that establishes a legal 
standard for labeling ``super'' and cashmere wool products based on 
internationally accepted standards.
  As I said, while these may seem a bit technical, standardizing the 
designation of a certain level of quality, no matter what the products, 
allows consumers and the manufacturers alike to be certain that what 
they are spending their hard-earned dollars on is real and is genuine. 
That is a laudable goal for any piece of legislation.
  I therefore would like to urge my colleagues to join me in supporting 
it on final passage.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4583, 
the Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness and International Standards 
Conforming Act; and I want to thank Representative Blackburn, the lead 
sponsor of H.R. 4583. It was a pleasure to work with her and her staff 
on a bill that would help consumers, American workers, and 
manufacturers in the wool products industry.
  Our bill would update the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 to 
include the internationally recognized standards for wool fiber content 
of the various ``super'' grade fabric, and ensure that any clothing 
labeled as cashmere actually includes hair from the cashmere goat.
  Although quite simple and straightforward, our bill is very important 
to the U.S. wool products industry. With the increase in imports from 
China, the domestic apparel manufacturers and textile mills face 
significant challenges to maintaining employment and production. By 
requiring clothing to be labeled properly, our bill will help level the 
playing field. It will ensure that consumers are better informed about 
the products they are buying, and it will put an end to mislabeled wool 
and cashmere products in the United States. No longer will imported 
suits of a lower quality be able to claim they are the same high 
quality as those bearing the ``made in the U.S.A.'' label. This bill 
updates the outdated law that does not recognize the different levels 
of yarn fineness.
  We have a great tradition of wool suit craftsmanship in the United 
States. By updating the Wool Products Labeling Act, H.R. 4583 will help 
ensure the health and vitality of the U.S. apparel and textile industry 
which includes members of my union, UNITE HERE!, and two Chicago-based 
manufacturers, Hartmarx and Oxxford Clothes.
  The passage of our bill will ensure that the U.S. tailored clothing 
industry can continue to thrive in the international marketplace. H.R. 
4583 is supported both by the wool suit manufacturers and the Garment 
Workers Union, UNITE HERE!, as well as the U.S. textile industry. I 
urge my colleagues to support it as well, and I look forward to the 
passage of this bill today.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the author of the 
bill, the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).
  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I do rise today in support of this 
legislation to update our wool labeling laws. I want to thank Chairman 
Barton, Ranking Member Dingell, as well as Chairman Stearns, for their 
help in bringing the legislation forward. I also want to thank and 
commend my friend from Illinois, the ranking member of the Commerce 
Trade and Consumer Protections Subcommittee, Representative Schakowsky, 
for joining me to sponsor the legislation.
  The Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness and International Standards 
Conforming Act will modernize the Wool Labeling Act by using the 
international definition of ``super'' as an identifier for the quality 
of wool products. We have written this legislation to protect consumers 
and industry participants from the mislabeling of certain suiting 
fabrics.

[[Page H6666]]

  In recent years, many wool products at the wholesale and retail 
level, including worsted wool fabrics and apparel items, are being 
marketed and labeled as ``super 100,'' and ``super 120s,'' and so-
called ``super'' grades. These refer to the fineness of the yarn 
contained in the product. The finer the average yard is in diameter, 
the higher the super's grade.
  Higher super grades reflect products that are supposed to have higher 
yarns and therefore sold at higher prices. The Wool Labeling Act, which 
regulates the labeling of wool products in the United States, has not 
been amended to reflect the current marketing practice of using supers 
as an identifier for quality wool products.
  The International Wool Textile Organization is the international body 
representing the interests of the world's wool textile industry, which 
includes the U.S., oversees the implementation of the International 
Wool Textile Arbitration Agreement. The IWTO has adopted a code of 
practice regarding the use of the term ``super'' on wool products, and 
the exact yarn diameter that each level of ``super'' must contain. 
Woolmark, a company that licenses the use of the Woolmark logo, has 
accepted the identical definition.
  Modernization of the Wool Labeling Act has strong support, as my 
colleague mentioned. It is supported by the National Textile 
Association, Victor Forstman, UNITE, the Cashmere and Camel Hair 
Manufacturers Institute, the American Apparel and Footwear Association, 
Hartmarx, and Hickey Freeman on behalf of the Tailored Clothing 
Association.
  As the domestic tailored clothing industry and wool textile mills 
continue to face significant challenges, this legislation is timely and 
it is vital to the continued health of this important manufacturing 
sector in the U.S. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, let me close by saying this: this is 
really a jobs bill and a truth-in-labeling bill. It is a win-win-win 
situation: good for the consumers, good for the manufacturers, good for 
the garment workers. And I urge its passage.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. STEARNS. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 4583, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________