HR0390 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0390 LRB096 12704 GRL 26363 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In an effort to protect the health and safety of children from the excessive amounts of lead found in toys made in China, the United States Congress enacted a law which banned the sale of products from foreign counties aimed at children if they contained more than 600 parts per million of lead; and

WHEREAS, Lead is found in steel and other metal alloys on the dune, motor, and multiple parts of off-road motorcycles and recreational vehicles built for young riders; and

WHEREAS, While most motorcycles and recreational vehicles are made overseas, there are tens of thousands of jobs attached to the industry in the United States; and

WHEREAS, More than 13,000 power sports dealers sell products in the United States, employing an estimated 124,000 people; and

WHEREAS, Industry estimates the retail market value for all off-road motorcycles and other recreational vehicles in the United States to be approximately $14 billion a year, including sales, service, parts, accessories, and payroll; and

WHEREAS, An industry trade publication estimates that the value of inventory at United States dealers that can no longer be sold probably exceeds $100 million and that the industry has millions of dollars worth of parts now in production that cannot be sold; and

WHEREAS, While every effort should be taken to protect the health and safety of our young children, we should also consider the effect such legislation will also have on an industry that is unrelated to toys; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge Congress to reexamine the federal law that has seriously affected the sales of off-road motorcycles and other recreational vehicles designed for children; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we state our belief that, in this time of financial crisis, every effort should be made to preserve every facet of our business community in order to help preserve jobs and stabilize our economy; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate.