[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 117 (Friday, July 20, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1585]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE BIPARTISAN IMPORT SAFETY ACT OF 2007

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                         HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 19, 2007

  Mr. KIRK. Madam Speaker, last month, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety 
Commission and toy company RC2 announced a recall of 1.5 million 
various Thomas & Friends wooden railway toys because they might contain 
dangerous amounts of lead.
  Lead poisoning causes vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, anemia, loss 
of appetite, abdominal pain, irritability, fatigue, constipation, 
difficulty sleeping, headaches and coma. It can even be fatal.
  The toys on recall are made in China and are retailed throughout the 
United States.
  In March, a wave of pet deaths revealed toxic chemicals in Chinese-
manufactured pet food. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration 
investigated and nearly 100 brands of pet food made with the ingredient 
were ordered recalled.
  A few weeks ago, consumers were advised to discard all toothpaste 
made in China after federal health officials found toothpaste 
containing a poison used in antifreeze.
  Then it was Thomas the Tank Engine. Just about every family with 
young kids in America knows Thomas the Tank Engine well.
  On Tuesday, about 40 tubes of potentially toxic toothpaste 
fraudulently labeled Colgate ``Triple Action'' were pulled from the 
shelf of a discount store in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
  Congress needs to send a clear notice to importers that goods which 
threaten the safety of kids will be left to rot on America's docks.
  That is why I am introducing H.R. 3100, the bipartisan Import Safety 
Act of 2007, to increase penalties for willful violators of federal 
regulations on imported goods and increase our commitment to overseas 
inspections by the FDA and the Commission. This will increase the 
ability of the U.S. Government to halt the importation of pet food, 
toothpaste or children's goods that could present a danger to 
Americans.

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