Washington, D.C. ---- Thank you, Madame Speaker.  I rise in support of this resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Consumer Protection Week.  Starting yesterday, Sunday, February 4^th, through this Saturday, February 10^th, National Consumer Protection Week has the purpose of highlighting consumer protection and education efforts around the nation.  This is a worthy goal that Congress should enthusiastically support.

        An informed consumer is a powerful consumer.  Too often, the average citizen is unaware of the litany of scams and con-jobs that infest the marketplace.  Moreover, a lot of these crooks prey on consumers who have fallen on hard financial times, promising them snake-oils and quick-fixes that can magically solve all of their economic problems.  These scams have real consequences on real people, and the effects can be devastating to an individual or family. 

However, if consumers are well-informed and armed with knowledge, they can better navigate the marketplace and avoid these financial pitfalls.  National Consumer Protection Week can help in this regard.  Sponsored by the Federal Trade Commission, the Better Business Bureau, AARP, Consumer Federation of America, and many other government and non-profit organizations, community leaders can access a website with an “outreach toolkit” to help them educate their citizens and spread the word. 

That web-site is www.consumer.gov/ncpw.  Furthermore, on the website, consumers can get a lot of information on how to protect themselves from fraud; and it gives them tips on how to recognize a rip-off when they see one.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not quickly mention that as the new Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, it is my intent to make this 110^th Congress the “National Consumer Protection Congress”.  This week in February is National Consumer Protection Week, but we can do so much more in the coming months ahead.  By working with my partner on the other side of the aisle, Ranking Member Stearns – as well as Chairman Dingell and Ranking Member Barton – I believe that we can instigate many reforms to empower consumers and improve the lives of everyday Americans.  Our committee is prepared to aggressively examine a whole host of basic, consumer protect, pocketbook issues, and I look forward to working with my Republican friends in the 110^th Congress.

With that, I reserve the balance of my time.