Industry seeks action in D.C.

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

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.

"This industry is appealing to the Bush administration to stop China from taking over the world trade in textiles and apparel," said Allen Gant, chairman of the National Council of Textile Organizations. "Unless the administration steps to the plate over the next two years, 75 percent of the 702,000 U.S. textiles and apparel workers, along with 30 million other workers around the world, will lose their jobs. Orders are already shifting — our industries need to see results from their governments."

Textiles leaders also announced an upcoming major media and grassroots campaign in the Carolinas to kickoff on Aug. 17 in North Carolina. The campaign will include print, radio and billboards highlighting the loss of textiles and manufacturing jobs and contend there has been a lack of effective government action.

Another component of the grassroots campaign will seek to reach as many of the 156,500 textiles and apparel employees and their families in the Carolinas as possible. It will use voter registration drives, major rallies, picnics, leaflets and direct mail. A campaign office in North Carolina will also be opened in conjunction with this effort.