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INTRODUCED
May 27, 1999
H. 4118
Introduced by Reps. Robinson, Simrill, Knotts, Haskins, McGee, Law, Allen, Allison, Altman, Barrett, Cato, Easterday, Fleming, Gourdine, Hamilton, Harvin, Inabinett, Kennedy, Lanford, Leach, Loftis, Maddox, Mason, McCraw, McKay, Meacham, Moody-Lawrence, Neilson, Phillips, Rice, Rodgers, Sandifer, Stille, Taylor, Trotter, Vaughn and Webb
S. Printed 5/27/99--S.
Read the first time May 27, 1999.
TO MEMORIALIZE THE PRESIDENT, THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, AND THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO SUPPORT THE BERRY AMENDMENT AND "BUY AMERICAN" LAWS, WHICH REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO PURCHASE GOODS, MATERIALS, AND SUPPLIES MADE IN AMERICA FOR AMERICA'S MILITARY AND DEFENSE NEEDS AND TO DEFEAT ANY MEASURE OR PROPOSAL INTRODUCED IN THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES THAT WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF SUSPENDING OR REPEALING THE BERRY AMENDMENT OR ALLOW THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE TO WAIVE "BUY AMERICAN" LAWS.
Whereas, the Berry Amendment requires the Department of Defense to purchase only United States made textiles, clothing, specialty steel, and food, and for over fifty years, this requirement has ensured that the United States military has a dependable domestic source for these critical goods; and
Whereas, military "readiness" is essential today as always, as there is much political uncertainty around the world. In 1991, the United States textile industry responded with speed, ingenuity, and flexibility when called upon to create new products to meet the unique demands of desert warfare. Our desert camouflage tent fabric, made especially for the Persian Gulf War, would not have been available from a foreign source considering the specifications and quick turn-around necessary; and
Whereas, total quality, innovation, flexibility, and just-in-time delivery are a few of the hallmarks of the United States textile industry and create a "value package" unmet by foreign competitors. Price should not be the defining issue or determining factor when the lives of our fighting men and women and, indeed, our national security are at stake in a malevolent world; and
Whereas, maintaining a strong textile-manufacturing base in the United States assures continued investment in research and development leading to a reliable source for innovative and vital military products and a continued "warm" industrial base that provides a "win-win" proposition for the United States; and
Whereas, the textile-manufacturing base's commitment to military readiness and total product value for our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, combined with executive and congressional commitment to maintaining the integrity of the Berry Amendment language in military procurement policy, will keep America strong economically as well as militarily and lead to a more secure future for all Americans. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, hereby memorialize the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Congress of the United States to support the Berry Amendment and "Buy American" laws which require the Department of Defense to purchase goods and supplies made in America for America's military and defense needs and to defeat any measure or proposal introduced in the Congress of the United States that would have the effect of suspending or repealing the Berry Amendment or allow the Secretary of Defense to waive "Buy American" laws.
Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Honorable Bill Clinton, President of the United States, to the Honorable William S. Cohen, Secretary of Defense, to the Honorable John Warner, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, to the Honorable Floyd Spence, Chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services, and to each member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.
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