A congressman from New York hopes to bolster pride in America, and boost American manufacturers, by pushing legislation that would require gift shops throughout the National Park System to carry items made in America.
“When I walk into one of the gift shops at our monuments or national parks, it’s deeply deflating that nearly every item – from American flag mugs to Theodore Roosevelt teddy bears – comes with a ‘Made in China’ sticker,” said Rep. Steve Israel, D-New York. “If we want American manufacturing to thrive again, then we need to show that we believe in it. That’s why I’m introducing legislation to bring ‘Made in the USA’ back to our nation’s proudest sites.”
The legislation, the American Parks, American Products Act, was introduced last Thursday. It would require that all items sold in gift shops, and visitors centers within the National Park System be made in America.
According to the congressman's staff, a large number of items sold at national parks and monuments are produced abroad, many in China. The current U.S. trade deficit with China, his staff noted, is at a record high with a $273 billion trade gap between what the U.S. imports versus exports from China. The overall U.S. trade deficit is $497 billion and that was projected to grow in 2011.
According to ABC News, “Economists say that if every one of us spent an extra $3.33 on U.S.-made goods every year, it would create nearly 10,000 new jobs in this country.”
Congressman Israel's staff says the Park Service administers more than 500 concessions contracts, with a gross annual valuation of more than $1 billion.
However, his staff could not say Friday what it would cost park concessionaires and cooperating associations to switch from items made abroad to those made in America.
Back on Long Island in the congressman's district, union leaders praised the legislation.
“The Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, would like to thank Congressman Israel for his commitment to promoting American made products. His efforts will support the livelihoods of millions of hard-working Americans, including union members, who are capable of building, maintaining and servicing the American economy," said Roger Clayman, the executive director of the Long Island Federation of Labor. "There are 25 million people in our country who need full-time work, and there is plenty of work to be done."
New York, alone, has 22 units of the National Park System that were visited by more than 17.5 million people in 2010, according to the Democrat's staff.
In 1933, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the “Buy American Act” into law, his staff noted. The legislation created a preference for American goods in government purchases. The American Parks, American Products Act follows the precedent set by FDR of encouraging domestic manufacturing and job creation through government purchases, it added.
Comments
This is excellent. The next step will be to get national park concessions to stop selling food that is bad for the planet and bad for people's health. The National Parks should host climate friendly food in all outlets. These foods prevent disease as well.
During periods of economic hardship we hear more concerns expressed as to why more souvenir products are not “Made in the USA.” It is also common for one to think that if a product is not “Made in the USA” the greater portion of the retail purchase dollar is being exported directly out of the country, which in the case of souvenirs is simply not true.
For nearly all souvenir items, less than $.15 or 15% of every retail dollar leaves the country to foreign suppliers. 85% of each retail dollar remains within our domestic economy providing for quality jobs and visitor services right here in the USA. It is also interesting to note that most souvenir importers and retailers are really net exporters. This is due to the fact that on average 50% or more of most souvenir items are purchased by foreign visitors who take the products home with them when they leave the country.
Due to global specialization in manufacturing there are very few high quality, competitively priced souvenir items that are actually manufactured in the USA; the supply sources simply do not exist in this country. Typically, a “Made in the USA” label means an increase in cost and retail that makes the product far less attractive to the retailers and their customers, thus the lack of domestic supply. People say they want “Made in the USA” souvenirs but are generally not willing to pay for them.
Legislating an absolute “Made in the USA” standard for merchandise retailing would be a disaster. Most of the popular products in the stores would disappear and what was left would see either a downgrade in quality and/or an increase in retail price. This would result in a weaker product offering, fewer sales, lost jobs in both the supply and retail trades, and a reduction in visitor services. In other words, an effort to have only “Made in the USA” labeled product in order to try and capture the remaining $.15 or 15% of the souvenir retail dollar would have a damaging effect on jobs and services much greater than any potential benefit to our domestic economy.
I work in a National Park gift shop. When a guest asks me what items are Made in USA, we gladly point them out. 99 times out of 100, that same guest will look at the price and decline...then they purchase the Made in China item because "it's cheaper."
If you're not willing to pay the higher price for a Made in USA item then don't complain.
Although I applaud Senator Israel and his efforts, it's readily apparent to anyone within this industry that his aspirations at a wholesale change to "Made in America" is pure hogwash.
Where to start? How about with the countless millions of dollars the NPS concessionaires pay yearly through their contracts to operate the facilities within the park system. These millions become but a pittance when the revenues drop drmatically due to the lackluster selection and exorbitant prices that will now be reflected in these facilities.
Lets not forget the thousands of employees of the concessionaires that will not be need, thus not being gainfully employed Americans due to the huge dropoff in revenue.
How about those wonderful Park Rangers who work for a pittance and are much admired. Not much need for them either should attendance wane due to lack of viable souvenirs.
Attendance at NPS hotels. Probably will be none. Linens, paintings, decor, and electronics in these hotels? All foreign made.
Apparently Congressman Israel is blind to the fact that the money we send over to China is a very small portion of the untold dollars we spend to get a product to market. I hope he and his staff understand that these US companies who buy from China employ sales people, clerks, forklift drivers (union by the way), accountants, receptionists, warehouse staff, machinery operators, finishers, truck drivers, and countless other positions. These folks are paid with good old Uncle Sams US dollars. They in turn spend these dollars right here in the good old US of A on the necessities of life. They pay doctors, lawyers, grocery stores, and car dealers for products and services. As a matter of fact, these folks also pay taxes. You know, those taxes that in turn pay for police officers, firemen, ambulances, and infastructure like schools and public utilities. Why don't we put these people out of work so they can collect from the goverments bosom the public dollars we so desperately need elsewhere.
I'm sure Congressman Israel and his staff have no time nor inteterest in viewing a financial picture of the true dollars we keep in the US by still doing business with China. Howe many keychains will the congressman and his family buy when they are $15.00 instead of $5.00? Probably a bunch as his salary and benefits are guaranteed for life. The rest of us will not buy a single piece.
I write this as I sit here typing away on a computer I bought at Best Buy (American company), with parts from China. They call it a Global Economy for a reason. Its not our fault union wages and capitalistic greed keep costs at an all time high for Made in the USA products. Sell a better and cheaper mouse trap and people will buy it.
I've no doubt Congressman Israel is smoking a Cuban cigar, while drinking Irish whiskey, and riding in the back of his German chauffered automobile while the rest of us Americans are out trying to earn a living.
I respect his quest, but he is doomed to destroy more than he'll ever create.
Anon at 5:16, I'm afraid you nailed it.
That's why WalMart exists.
I think this is good idea to institute over time. currently there are not enough competitive vendors making products in the US. It should phase in over 10 years. 10% a year should enable American entrepreneurs to tool up to the demand.
Check a previous article for some background.
/2011/09/reader-participation-day-should-more-american-made-products-be-available-purchase-americas-national-8740
I do recall that some of the cheapest and most basic souvenirs are kitchen magnets. The brand I see most at NPS sites is from Impact Photographics. Their manufacturing is in China, the US, and Korea. From what I can tell, the difference between place of manufacture is imperceptible. I suspect that a good many of the US made items are just assembled from parts made in China, and there lies the rub.
Why pick on the National Parks, why not Wal Mart?