[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 20668-20669]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             JEWELERS OF AMERICA REACHES 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 2006

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker; 2006 marks the 100th anniversary of 
Jewelers of America (JA), the oldest national association for retail 
jewelers. Founded in 1906 in Rochester, N.Y. and now headquartered in 
New York City, Jewelers of America is both a center of knowledge for 
the retail jeweler and an advocate for professionalism and high social, 
ethical and environmental standards in the jewelry trade.
  In the past century, Jewelers of America has established itself as a 
leader in the educational, social and political support of retail 
jewelers. Today, the association represents 11,000 member stores and 
has 42 state and regional affiliates.
  Throughout its existence, the association has provided meaningful and 
relevant educational programs that reflect the changing technologies 
available to jewelers. Jewelers of America believes that recognizing 
members' knowledge and skills benefits consumers and the entire jewelry 
industry. To that end, JA has established certifications that evaluate 
jewelry

[[Page 20669]]

sales associates, store managers and bench jewelers by a set of 
national skills standards. JA also provides educational scholarships 
for its members.
  As a leader in the jewelry industry, Jewelers of America has worked 
with non-governmental organizations, fellow industry trade 
organizations and political leaders to establish responsible business 
practices for the national jewelry industry. JA was centrally involved 
in the 2002 adoption of the international Kimberley Process 
Certification Scheme, the landmark initiative aimed at stopping the 
trade of conflict diamonds.
  Realizing that trust is a key component to the jewelry industry's 
growth, Jewelers of America created a standardized code of ethics in 
1997 to reinforce consumer confidence in the professional jeweler. 
According to the code, JA members must maintain the highest possible 
ethical standards in their business dealings.
  As Jewelers of America enters its second century, it remains 
committed to independent jewelers and the tradition of honest and fair 
business practices they uphold. Conscious that it represents retailers 
who help their customers celebrate love and commitment, Jewelers of 
America rededicates itself to these noble aims.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 100th anniversary 
of Jewelers of America.

                          ____________________