Industry seeks action in D.C., launches media campaign

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 7/22/2004 12:00:00 AM

WASHINGTON — In the largest lobbying effort by the textiles industry in 15-plus years, more than 100 textiles executives lobbied 48 House and Senate offices for more than 25 states yesterday.

The objective was to seek congressional backing in persuading the Bush administration to keep Chinese imports from flooding the United States after quotas are removed.

Textiles leaders also announced an upcoming major media and grassroots campaign in the Carolinas to kick off on Aug. 17 in North Carolina. The campaign will include print, radio and billboards highlighting the loss of textiles and manufacturing jobs and will attempt to persuade voters that there has been a lack of effective government action on the issue. The effort to reach 156,500 textiles and apparel employees will also employ voter registration drives, major rallies, picnics, leaflets and direct mail.