congressional_record: CREC-1996-10-21-pt1-PgS12423
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| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
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| CREC-1996-10-21-pt1-PgS12423 | 1996-10-21 | 104 | 2 | METRIC CONVERSION | SENATE | SENATE | ALLOTHER | S12423 | S12423 | [{"name": "Claiborne Pell", "role": "speaking"}] | 142 Cong. Rec. S12423 | Congressional Record, Volume 142 Issue 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996) [Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996)] [Senate] [Page S12423] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] METRIC CONVERSION Mr. PELL. Mr. President, As my colleagues have heard me say many times before, The United States is the only industrialized country in the world that has not converted to the metric system of measurement. I ask my colleagues to imagine what we are missing by being so out of step with the rest of the world. The answer is basic: The United States stands to gain untold millions--possibly billions--in export trade we are currently losing because our non-metric products literally do not fit into international markets. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that U.S. exports could be increased by up to 20 percent by offering metric-sized goods to international markets. In a booklet published by the Small Business Administration [SBA] for small businesses considering converting to the metric system, the SBA cites three examples of the trade problems caused by the production of nonmetric goods. Saudi Arabia rejected a shipment of American-made appliances because the power cords were 6 feet long rather than the 2 meter length required by Saudi law. A Middle Eastern company was forced to rewire all electronic equipment imported from the United States because standard American wire sizes are different from international standards. Countries around the world have great difficulty finding American lumber companies that will produce lumber in metric lengths for use in the construction. In that regard, I strongly believe that the Federal Government should lead by example and conduct its business, including all procurement, in the metric system. By doing business and thereby promoting the metric system, our Government would send a very important and badly needed signal to American businesses and our trade partners around the world that as a nation we are back on track with the conversion process that has already taken place in the rest of the modern world. During the closing weeks of this Congress, I had the pleasure of working with Senator Glenn and Senator Hollings in an effort to moderate antimetric legislation that came before the Senate. Senator Hollings and I have worked together on this issue for some time-- particularly in the all important area of trade. I am confident he will continue this fight in the years to come. Senator John Glenn--a pioneer in space exploration--is a man of science, a man of the future. During floor debate on unfunded mandates legislation a the beginning of the 104th Congress he gave a most eloquent defense of the metric system. The metric system is an integral part of both science and our future. I hope Senator Glenn will take my place and bring his knowledge and experience to the fight. ____________________ |