[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 117 (Thursday, August 2, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S5968]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           CPSIA ANNIVERSARY

  Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, few states appreciate the importance of 
outdoor recreation the way we do in Minnesota--whether it is cross-
country skiing, snowmobiling, fishing, hiking or off-roading, these 
activities are more than just hobbies for us--they are a way of life 
and they are woven into the fabric of our economy. That is why today I 
rise to commemorate the 1-year anniversary of the passage of the lead 
standard exemptions for youth all-terrain vehicles.
  Minnesota is home to many strong recreational product manufacturers 
that provide jobs and have helped move our economy forward during these 
difficult times. Our economy doesn't hinge on churning money around 
Wall Street, it hinges on building things and the motorcycle and all-
terrain vehicle industry is a shining example of that. This industry is 
not just about recreation--it is about jobs, it is about manufacturing, 
and it is about preserving a key part of our culture and economy.
  I supported the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act when it 
passed in 2008 because it addressed serious safety concerns about lead 
in children's toys. But when we have legislation as detailed and 
sweeping as the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, certain 
adjustments and clarifications sometimes need to be made, as we saw 
with the lead limits for youth all-terrain vehicles. Simply put, 
children's off-road vehicles were never supposed to be subject to 
requirements in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.
  The law was designed to protect our kids, but by banning youth-sized 
all-terrain vehicles children were put at risk because they started 
riding oversized adult vehicles that don't take the same considerations 
as a model meant to accommodate children. Once it became clear that the 
Consumer Product Safety Commission was going to hold youth all-terrain 
vehicles to the new lead requirements, I began working to find a 
solution to the problem.
  That is why I pushed to pass the amendments to the Consumer Product 
Safety Improvement Act last year to exempt youth all-terrain vehicles 
from lead standards. August 12th will be the 1-year anniversary of 
enactment of these amendments to Consumer Product Safety Improvement 
Act into law.
  I would like to commemorate the 1-year anniversary of passage of 
these amendments to Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act that help 
protect our children and ensure they enjoy the outdoors for many years 
to come.

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