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INTRODUCED
April 20, 2005
S. 780
Introduced by Senators Moore, Sheheen, Anderson, Drummond, Elliott, Ford, Hutto, Land, Lourie, Malloy, Matthews, Patterson, Pinckney, Setzler, Short, Williams and Martin
S. Printed 4/20/05--S.
Read the first time April 20, 2005.
TO URGE GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TO TAKE SWIFT AND APPROPRIATE ACTION ON VITAL TRADE MATTERS THAT INFLUENCE THE NATION'S AND THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA'S ABILITY TO COMPETE AND GROW ECONOMICALLY.
Whereas, the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina implore President George W. Bush to take quick and immediate action to make changes to all trade agreements and policies to remedy the trade imbalance that currently exists in the nation; and
Whereas, the President is asked to take any and all necessary steps to save manufacturing jobs for the citizens of our country and for South Carolina in particular; and
Whereas, the United States manufacturing sector alone represents the fifth largest economy in the world, surpassing the economy of China in its entirety. Manufacturing accounts for 11 percent of American jobs and generates over 8 million jobs in other sectors; and
Whereas, in South Carolina, manufacturing is a major employment industry sector, consistently among the top states in the country; and
Whereas, factories are shedding jobs at an alarming rate. Factories employed 265,200 people in February, down 1,000 from January and 1,500 fewer than one year ago; and
Whereas, manufacturing industries provide approximately nineteen percent of all jobs in South Carolina. One in five South Carolinians is employed in the manufacturing industry; and
Whereas, South Carolina has a rich and diverse manufacturing economy producing high-tech electronics, software, plastics, cars, boats, and textiles. Machinery, vehicles, electronic machinery, plastics, and rubber rank among our largest exports; and
Whereas, in January, the state's unemployment rate was 7 percent making it the fifth highest in the nation, and the latest figures show South Carolina's unemployment rate is the third worst in the nation at 7.1 percent; and
Whereas, the South Carolina jobless rate has persisted higher than the United States rate since the recession ended three years ago. The current national rate is 5.4 percent; and
Whereas, the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina respectively requests that President George W. Bush take note of the concerns of South Carolina's leaders and citizens and act to increase exports and level the international playing field for the benefit of United States manufacturing as a whole, our great nation, and the State of South Carolina. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, urge George W. Bush, President of the United States, to take swift and appropriate action on vital trade matters that influence the nation's and the State of South Carolina's ability to compete and grow economically.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to President George W. Bush.
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