HOUSE RESOLUTION 14

(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kiss, and Delegates Pettit, Amores, Anderson, Angotti, Armstead, Ashley, Azinger, Beane, Boggs, Border, Butcher, Calvert, Campbell, Cann, Caputo, Coleman, Compton, Dalton, Davis, Dempsey, Douglas, Doyle, Ennis, Evans, Facemyer, Faircloth, Ferrell, Flanigan, Fleischauer, Fletcher, Frederick, Givens, Hall, Harrison, Hatfield, Hines, Houston, Hubbard, Hunt, Hutchins, Johnson, Kelley, Kominar, Kuhn, Laird, Leach, Leggett, Linch, Louisos, Mahan, Manchin, Manuel, Marshall, Martin, Mattaliano, McGraw, Mezzatesta, Michael, Modesitt, Overington, Paxton, Perdue, Pethtel, Pino, Proudfoot, Prunty, Riggs, Romine, Ross, Rowe, Schadler, Shelton, Smirl, J. Smith, Sparks, Stalnaker, Staton, Stemple, Susman, Thompson, Trump, Tucker, Varner, Warner, Webb, C. White, H. White, L. White, Williams, Willison, Wills, Wright and Yeager)





Calling upon the President and the Congress to strengthen and finally enforce our trade laws concerning the importation of steel, steel products and related production.

Whereas, The financial crises in Asia, Russia and other regions resulted in massive depreciation in the currencies of several key steel-producing and steel-consuming countries, and an ensuing collapse occurred in the domestic demand for steel in these countries; and
Whereas, The House of Delegates fully supports the courageous and persistent efforts of West Virginia steel workers in their fight for survival of their industry; and
Whereas, The unfair and unlawful dumping of steel has placed this industry at risk despite their exemplary efforts to modernize, improve productivity and comply with environmental standards; and
Whereas, The House of Delegates recognizes the value of the steel industry to our economy and applauds the efforts of steel workers whose efforts epitomize their American dream; and
Whereas, While the steel crisis may have eased, the continued vigilance of both the steelworkers and public officials is critical to the health of the steel industry and the well-being of the State of West Virginia; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the House of Delegates asks the United States government to be equally as vigilant in enforcing the trade laws of the United States; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the House of Delegates calls upon the President to continue to review all imports of steel products that are entering the customs territory of the United States from any and all steel exporters; and, be it
Further Resolved, If the review establishes that the countries are not abiding by and with any and all applicable international trade agreements, the House of Delegate requests the President and Congress to immediately impose a ban on the imports of all steel products from said countries, until compliance with the applicable trade laws can be assured; and, be it
 Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States and to each member of the congressional delegation representing the people of the State of West Virginia.