WINONA LAKE - Despite a chilly wind blowing off the lake, about 20 people stood outside U.S. Rep. Mark Souder's office Thursday hoping to make their voices heard.The group, local members of United Steel Workers and their families, were demonstrating against the rash of unsafe products imported into the United States within the past year. The demonstrators said their goals were to raise awareness of the dangers posed by contaminated products entering the United States and to seek Souder's support for legislation aimed at regulating trade to protect Americans from unsafe products.
"Each week brings a new recall or warning about a toy, tires, toothpaste or other dangerous imports," said Jeff Hooker, president of local USW No. 809. "These cheap goods from countries like China have an expensive price that is threatening the health and safety of our children and families."
In June 2007, 1.5 million Thomas the Tank Engine toys were recalled after it was found the toys contained high levels of lead, which has been found to be a major contributor to numerous health problems. In the United States, most products have been produced without lead since the 1970s. The June recall was the beginning of a series of recalls of other imported toys and products, including food and hygiene items found to be contaminated with harmful materials.
Kara Lemler, Warsaw, attended Thursday's demonstration with her daughters Raven, 8, and Izzy, 7.
"Obviously, being a mother, the toxic toys are a big concern," said Lemler.
Lemler said most disturbing is that contamination was found in such a wide variety of products. She said her family owns a dog and, last year, some of the type of dog food they buy was recalled when it was found to be contaminated.
"A lot of people just aren't aware that it's happening," Lemler said.
The demonstrators held posters with slogans that read, "Protect Our Kids, Stop Toxic Imports." According to USW spokeswoman Robin Rich, similar demonstrations took place Wednesday and Thursday at congressional offices across the country. The event was called National Day of Action on Toxic Trade.
Rod and Abby Spurlin, Warsaw, attended the demonstration with their son, Luke, 5, and daughter, Lily, 3.
"We're just sick of the corporate greed being more important than our safety," said Rod Spurlin. "It's just wrong. They should care about people, our kids, more than that."
"We want the lead out of our paint. No lead," Luke Spurlin added.
Hooker said part of the problem stems from U.S. companies outsourcing their production to countries with labor, safety and environmental standards that are much lower than in the U.S. Hooker said the companies save money by outsourcing, but U.S. consumers lose the assurance that their products are safe.
"These problems stem from corporate greed," Hooker said. "They go after cheap labor."
Nationwide, the USW is petitioning members of Congress to support the U.S. Food and Product Responsibility Act introduced in the Senate by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and in the House by Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-Ind.).
"It puts the responsibility on the backs of the companies that are producing the goods and importers who are importing them," Hooker said.
Souder's Winona Lake office was closed Thursday afternoon during the demonstration, so the group signed one of their posters and left it at the door.
Souder released a statement today indicating he is willing to examine the Food and Product Responsibility Act.
"I am a consistent critic of China's cheating trade policy," said Souder. "I voted against granting Most-Favored Nation status to China every time it came up in Congress, and I've supported tariffs to offset their currency manipulation. I don't think it's fair that Clean Air, Clean Water, CAFE, Davis-Bacon and many other regulations apply to American manufacturers, and yet China is exempted. At the very least, whatever inspection standards apply to U.S. employers should apply to China."
Souder said last month he voted for the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act aimed at boosting the Consumer Products Safety Commission.
"I'm willing to look at all legislation involving China," he said.
The Food and Product Responsibility Act was first introduced last year, but has not yet been scheduled to come before Congress.
