Lawmakers unite to keep deadly toys out of the hands of American children

L.A. Seals — 06/19/2007 15:21

Rush, Durbin hold Chicago Congressional field hearing on consumer safety and magnetic toys

Lawmakers unite to keep deadly toys out of the hands of American children

CHICAGO—Congressman Bobby L. Rush and Senator Dick Durbin held a Congressional hearing today aimed at keeping deadly toys out of the hands of American children. Rush, as chairman of the Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection has jurisdiction over how the Consumer Product Safety Commission operates. Durbin, as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Finance Services and General Government has oversight authority over CPSC.

The hearing was sparked by the Chicago Tribune articles early last month that exposed incidences where more than a dozen children faced life-threatening injuries from playing with a popular magnetic toy. One child died as a result of the injury. The toy, Magnetix Magnetic Building Sets, uses powerful magnets, which, if dislodged, can be swallowed and attract, causing internal injuries.

“I have held two hearings on children’s safety and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, including one that addressed the Magnetix case. My subcommittee’s jurisdiction is multi-faceted and covers a broad area. But there is nothing more important than our mission to look out for our children,” said Chairman Rush. “I’ve already publicly said that one of my priorities as chairman is to write a reform bill that overhauls the CPSC’s underlying, enabling statute.”

Those who testified included, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan; Nancy A Nord, U.S. CPSC acting chair; Sharon Henry, parent; Kyran Quinlan MD, MPH, FAAP on behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Nancy A. Cowles, Kids in Danger; Carter Keithley, president of Toy Industry Association, Inc.

“I am here as a mother to tell the frightening story of what happened to my little boy, Deron,” said Sharon Henry, Deron’s mother. “I am also here as a concerned consumer to ensure that this tragedy does not happen to anyone else.”

Two years ago, Deron Henry swallowed magnets which had broken off of his Magnetix toy set. After complaining of stomach pains, Deron was rushed to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery for a perforated bowel. Deron survived, but may suffer from bowel obstructions and abdominal pain for the rest of his life.

“Since the Tribune articles hit the newsstands, Chairman Rush has held two hearings on the issue and is currently working on a thorough review of CPSC’s operating statutes. He plans to issue a comprehensive reform package soon.

“If the federal government cannot deliver on this basic responsibility to help parents keep their children away from avoidable hazards, then we are not doing our job,” said Rush. “The Chicago Tribune articles on Magnetix are disturbing—to say the least—and they depict the worst nightmare of any parent come true. Congress must make the necessary reforms at the Consumer Product Safety Commission to prevent future child deaths.”

1 Comments

Congressman Rush introduces gun legislation named after Blair Holt, the Julian High School hero

LA Seals — 06/12/2007 12:38

Congressman Rush introduces gun legislation named after Blair Holt, the Julian High School hero

CHICAGO— U.S. Rep. Rush was joined by Ronald Holt, the father of Blair Holt, Rufus Williams, president of the Chicago Board of Education, law enforcement officials and community activists to introduce Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2007-HR 2666 (Blair’s Bill) aimed at curbing senseless violence by implementing a uniform system for purchasers of certain firearms.

The group gathered at the location where Holt’s son Blair, was elevated from being an honor student attending Julian High School to a hero when he used his body to shield a ultimately save a female friend.

“The proliferation of guns in our community impacts us all. My son lost his life back in 1999 due to senseless gun violence and my nephew sits in jail today, convicted of fatally shooting someone. Like all of you, I am sick and tired of scenes like this being replayed over and over again in our neighborhoods," said Rep. Rush, chairman of the Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

"Since the beginning of this school year alone, over 31 children have lost their life by violence, and the great majority were killed with guns. In response to these tragedies, I am introducing a bill in Congress that would regulate gun trafficking and possession in this country. HR 2666, Blair’s Bill, will implement a nationwide program of licensing all individuals who possess firearms and require all guns to be registered in a national gun registry," he added.

According to police, Michael Pace boarded an eastbound 103rd Street CTA bus at 103rd and Halsted about 3:20 p.m. on May 10 and started shooting, striking two males and three females, all of whom were students at Julian. Kevin Jones is accused of giving Pace the gun, knowing he wanted to use it to try to kill someone he had argued with. Julian High School student Blair Holt used his body to shield and ultimately save a female friend.

The purpose of the Bill is:
(1) to protect the public against the unreasonable risk of injury and death associated with the unrecorded sale or transfer of qualifying firearms to criminals and youth;
(2) to ensure that owners of qualifying firearms are knowledgeable in the safe use, handling, and storage of those firearms;
(3) to restrict the availability of qualifying firearms to criminals, youth, and other persons prohibited by Federal law from receiving firearms; and
(4) to facilitate the tracing of qualifying firearms used in crime by Federal and State law enforcement agencies

29 Comments

Congressman Bobby L. Rush Blog

Lawmakers unite to keep deadly toys out of the hands of American children

Congressman Rush introduces gun legislation named after Blair Holt, the Julian High School hero