Asked to Testify

[#1]

I'm excited! My congressman is on the Small Business Committee in congress, and I went to visit with him a few weeks ago. The meeting went well, and I've kept up with him through his legislative director via email.

Well, they contacted me and asked me if I'd like to come to DC and testify before the Small Business Committee when they have their hearing! :D Waxman has canceled the hearing three times previously, but I'm optimistic that they'll be able to get a hearing.

I'm going to talk about my business and how the law as-is will put me out of business. I'm going to talk about my testing costs for phthalates and lead, and how the materials I use for my toys are not known to have either of those things in them.

I'm excited about this opportunity, and curious to see what kinds of doors this opens for me personally and professionally.

If you were testifying, what would you say to the committee? I want to take some ideas from vendors here as examples of the tens of thousands of businesses this will affect if left as-is.

[Former_Member]

TheBeehive says:
That's wonderful! It's nice to know there will be someone like you to represent the cause. I don't make baby things but I think it's a sad sad thing the government is doing and I hope you can help turn it around! Good luck!
~~~~~~~~~~~

StarBrightBaby....I agree with The Beehive. Obviously your contact with your congressman was impressive, otherwise he wouldn't have asked you. Stand tall!

[Former_Member]

wow great oportunity to save your bis and help others, good luck and blessings..

[Former_Member]

A list of problems that need to be brought up:

1 Cost of Testing
2 Availability of labs
3 Redundant testing of Products
4 Retroactive clause in this law
5 Permanent Labeling of products, not everything is made of cloth or even large enough to attach a label
6 They need to look into more items that fall under exempt portion of this law
7 Allow components that have already been tested by the manufactures for lead and phylates to be used and exempted from further testing
8 Look into mouthing issue of older children verses younger children that place everything into their mouths
9 All paper made books regardless of age
10 Look into the issue of allowing all State Attorney Generals from pressing charges
11 Real exemptions for all used, consignment and garage sellers
12 Clarify the meaning of the One Year Stay on the CPSIA LAW, it is not a real stay if we are still liable right now for the lead and phylate potions of this law

There are probably a lot more issues that should to be raised about the CPSIA LAW, maybe others can think of more issues we should add to this list.

[Former_Member]

Hallelujah!
Testify Girlfriend!

(sorry, I just HAD to.)
Be sure to get frillip's brochure to bring along.

[Former_Member]

and be sure to remember consumer impact... particularly consumers who NEED specialty items. (like scientific/educational toys made in small runs, or things for kids with disabilities that are often One of A Kind.)

[Former_Member]

that is so great...you go in there and make them listen!
I particularly like trinlayk's iea bout the consumer impact. Particularly having a grandson with Down's Syndrome, it's hard to find good toys for a developmentally delayed child that can be close to age appropriate and yet, meet his special needs.

Good luck with it all.

[Former_Member]

StarBrighBaby, I'm no end impressed with you going to testify. Many very fine points have already been made, to which I can add nothing. My prayers are with you.

[Former_Member]

I wonder how the world will be affected when people in the US can no longer donate handmade charitable items. For instance, Guideposts readers knit or crochet more than 85,000 sweaters every year for distribution across the US and the world. I crochet baby booties for the unwed mothers' home as well as make Presents for Patients. If no one were allowed to donate handmade items or used winter coats anymore, what sort of impact would it have?

[Former_Member]

Wow! That is so wonderful! YOU GO GIRL!!!
I hope that whatever you chose to say make an impact on those stuffed shirts in D.C. (Ooops! LOL I spelled "shirts", "shits" before I corrected it. Oh well, not much difference. :D ) I wish you the best of luck!!!

[jstinson]

Congratulations on your opportunity. I am sure you will do well or your Congressman would not have asked you! Know that you have the support of many Etsy sellers!

[rakubuttons]

Will you bring samples of your items, so they can see how harmless they are and how ridiculous the testing idea is?
One of my main gripes as a consumer is that this law is dictating what will be availble for me to purchase (at the big box store) and taking away my choice to buy quality handmade, wholesome goods and limiting my ability to support local independeant business. America is about freedom.

I am so glad you have this opportunity. Best of luck to you and us.

[Former_Member]

Write bulet points on a notecard so you stay on track. You will be filmed, so don't let it make you nervous. Wear a suit, look extremely professional. Also, We need to get you a giant poster- a lady gave me a great idea in another thread: Show an old grandma knitting behind bars, with a caption that says "Thanks to CPSIA, She will die on the streets, or die in prison." Something strong like that.

Wish I lived near you so I could speak with you, I have such a strong backgbround in this kind of stuff. If you don't mind, I could send you an emailwith some pointers. Good luck!

[Former_Member]

marking

[rakubuttons]

I hope you get some more ideas.

[ara133photography]

HI!!! That's awesome, good luck!!! Btw, I heard you're in Spela! :) me too!!! :)

[Former_Member]

There is a great visual on the availability of testing facilities here:

http://ceska.typepad.com/little_ida/2009/01/cpsia-locations-of-us-accredited-testing-labs-for-lead-i...

[Former_Member]

Thanks for all the great information everyone! I never even thought of having a poster behind me. That's an awesome idea!

Keep those ideas coming! I am going to be visiting this thread many times while I prepare!

:)

[Former_Member]

I am not sure how valuable this would be but many hospitals have volunteers who knit or crotchet blankets for preemies.

Other hospitals have volunteers do the same for patients in different wards.

I found out we have a local group who make beanies, scarfs etc for the homeless.

This really affects everyone

[Former_Member]

Congratulations StarbrightBaby! Thanks for representing us!

I haven't read through the entire thread, but here's what I'd talk about (in addition to what you're already planning to discuss):

• The difficulty you will have in complying with the labeling requirements come August. It's going to be very costly to create labels for OOAK items and items made in small batches.
• Request that we be able to rely on the GCCs of our suppliers. All craft supplies manufacturers should be testing for lead/phthalates. This eliminates redundant testing and ensures that people making things for their own children (not for sale) have safe materials to use.

Good luck to you!

[comfyhome]

marking to see how it goes!

[Former_Member]

You have gone above and beyond!!!! GREAT JOB!!!
(Love your giraffes btw)

[Former_Member]

Good luck, I know a lot of Etsian's are behind you 100% percent.

Just some tips, stay focused on the top issues. Have someone go over what you are going to say (know any English teachers?) so that everything is perfect. Watch a few hearings CSPAN so you are familiar with the procedures.

and stay calm, stay cool and stay collected - you'll be great!

[Former_Member]

I just want to thank you for being willing to do this!

[Former_Member]

I'm really excited about it! I just called to confirm today. I'll be writing up my remarks soon!

[jetflair]

I've testified before state legislative bodies on other matters. You need to research how long you will be allowed to speak, and how many copies of any written materials you will need to bring.

Be prepared for them to cut you short - even if the guidelines say you have three minutes to speak, they may cut that down if they are in a hurry or more people show up than expected.

Be prepared for the fact that you will be speaking into a microphone at a normal speaking voice. You won't hear your voice echoing through the room but they *can* hear you. You will be audio and video recorded; know that ahead of time so it doesn't fluster you at the time of the hearing.

Make it plain that you are a citizen and not a lobbyist; this will give you some more credibility with some members.

Good luck!