[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 80 (Thursday, May 15, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E940]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    APPOINTMENT OF CONFEREES ON H.R. 4040, CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY 
                           MODERNIZATION ACT

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                               speech of

                           HON. CLIFF STEARNS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 14, 2008

  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to first state that it was a 
pleasure, in my former capacity as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee 
on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, to work with my good friend 
from Illinois, Chairman Rush, in crafting this important legislation. 
H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act, will 
greatly enhance the ability of the CPSC to secure the proper funding 
and sufficient number of employees to ensure that the products we 
import from abroad and manufacture here at home will not harm those who 
purchase them.
  Millions of Americans are concerned with the safety of toys and other 
children's products due to lead contamination found in millions of toys 
imported from China. I commend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle 
for coming together and taking action to safeguard consumers from lead 
exposure, and to provide the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) 
with the tools and funding it needs to safeguard the public.
  The House on December 19, 2007, overwhelmingly approved H.R. 4040, a 
bill that will change current law and add more stringent lead paint and 
lead content standards, making them the toughest in the world. It also 
requires testing of children's products in accredited labs, and 
tracking labels on all children's products.
  Furthermore, the bill authorizes increased funding for the CPSC to 
hire more personnel, creation of a new state-of-the-art laboratory, and 
the institution of an expedited release of information on health safety 
risks to the public. All of which will make the CPSC more effective.
  The House Committee on Energy and Commerce worked tirelessly to 
produce this bipartisan legislation and I now ask my colleagues to vote 
``Yes'' on this Motion to Instruct conferees and support this 
bipartisan House passed legislation and call for this bill to remain 
unchanged through the conference negotiations with the Senate.




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