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Bill 4118

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                      4118
Type of Legislation:              Concurrent Resolution CR
Introducing Body:                 House
Introduced Date:                  19990518
Primary Sponsor:                  Robinson
All Sponsors:                     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-Richardson, Moody-Lawrence, Neilson, 
                                  Phillips, Rice, Rodgers, Sandifer, Stille, 
                                  Taylor, Trotter, Vaughn and Webb
Drafted Document Number:          l:\council\bills\kgh\15683dc99.doc
Date Bill Passed both Bodies:     19990603
Subject:                          Buy American laws, Berry Amendment; 
                                  Congress requests to support; Veterans', 
                                  Defense, Federal Government


                        History

Body    Date      Action Description                     Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  ______________________________________ _______ ____________
House   19990603  Received from Senate
Senate  19990603  Adopted, returned to House
                  with concurrence
Senate  19990527  Introduced, placed on Calendar
                  without reference
House   19990526  Adopted, sent to Senate
House   19990525  Committee report: Favorable            24 HIMR
House   19990518  Introduced, referred to Committee      24 HIMR


                             Versions of This Bill
Revised on May 25, 1999 - Word format
Revised on May 27, 1999 - Word format

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-Richardson, 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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