House Manufacturing Task Force Set to Meet with Commerce Secretary Donald Evans

New 'Manufacturing Czar,' Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and China to Top Meeting Agenda

Washington, DC- The House Manufacturing Task Force-co-chaired by Reps. Jack Quinn (R-NY) and Marty Meehan (D-MA)-announced today that they will be meeting with Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans Tuesday October 21st, to discuss manufacturing issues. The impetus behind this meeting was a letter sent by the Manufacturing Task Force to Secretary Evans outlining the Manufacturing Task Force's position on a new 'Manufacturing Czar' within the Department of Commerce. (Copies of this letter and a list of cosigners will be provided upon request).

A 4:00pm press availability with members of the Manufacturing Task Force will immediately follow the meeting. Members of the media are asked to convene in the Rayburn Office building outside the 2125 Energy and Commerce Room (Rayburn Horseshoe entrance).

Congressman Jack Quinn (R-NY), Co-chair of the House Manufacturing Task Force said, "I applaud the role Secretary Evans has taken on manufacturing. This meeting represents the Secretary's and the Administration's desire to work with the Congress toward solutions to the manufacturing crisis we're facing."

Congressman Marty Meehan (D-MA), Co-chair of the House Manufacturing Task Force said, "The job losses in the manufacturing sector have reached epidemic proportions. I look forward to hearing the Administration's plan on how they are going to reverse this alarming trend of plant closures and massive layoffs. I've worked with my colleagues in the House to reverse the trend. Without a doubt, the manufacturing sector is the backbone of our economy and we cannot turn our back on it. This meeting between the Manufacturing Task Force and Commerce Secretary Evans marks the first step towards getting something done. Talk can only get us so far. The time has come for action."

Congressman Quinn continued, "I've seen firsthand in my own district that the Manufacturing Industry needs help. People are losing their jobs and my constituents expect action. We can't stand idly by as the heart, the engine of the American economy sputters. That's why we in the Manufacturing Task Force have been working so hard to secure the future of manufacturing in America. We've taken the lead in Congress to acquire funding for programs like the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), which assists America's small manufacturers and helps boost productivity, sales, investment in modernization, and employment. Small and medium sized manufacturers need certain tools to succeed, not additional barriers to hamper them. The Manufacturing Task Force is committed to intellectual property protection, reasonable natural gas prices and supply, and specialized job training. These are the areas we need to look at here and I look forward to sitting down with Commerce Secretary Evans and working with him on solutions."

The House Manufacturing Task Force aggressively supports U.S. manufacturing with a robust policy agenda that promotes an entrepreneurial business climate, invests in innovation, and ensures our citizens' protection and productivity. Addressing tax, trade, and education, the House Manufacturing Task Force's agenda will improve manufacturing competitiveness and create sustainable economic growth.