Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to the editor of The Baltimore Sun, January 23, 2002

ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE ASSISTANT DEPUTY MAJORITY WHIP Congress of tfie ®niteb States 5?oii6t of «RcpreScntattoeS Mlafifimgton, ®C 20515-2002 January 23, 2002 Letter-to-the-Editor The Baltimore Sun 501 North Calvert Street Baltimore, Maryland 21278 Dear Editor: (410)780-3911 (410) 255-6983 This letter is in response to Mr. John Cirri’s concerns about job loss in the U.S. steel industry ("Bush Administration Sits Idle As Our Steel Industry Erodes," Jan. 17). Since 1995, a bipartisan group of my colleagues and I lobbied President Clinton to no avail to take action to curb unfair steel import practices. As a result, thousands of steelworkers lost their jobs. Therefore, we are heartened by President Bush’s initiation of a Section 201 Trade case shortly after assuming office. The International Trade Commission, after concluding that illegal steel dumping has occurred in the U.S., recommended penalties for countries that dump steel on our shores. More importantly, President Bush is pushing legislative remedies Mid executive measures aimed at strengthening the domestic steel industry, and creating and sustaining jobs. Further, many members of Congress on both sides of the aisle are working with the Bush Administration to find a permanent solution to the legacy costs (retiree health care) issue so important to the long-term viability of Bethlehem Steel and other producers. As the congressional representative for thousands of Beth Steel employees, I will continue working with the President, my colleagues in Congress, and union representatives like Mr. Cirri to protect the long-term interests of Maryland’s steel workers. Very truly yours, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Member of Congress