 Dr. Gregory Mankiw
- Chairman, Council of
Economic Advisers
- Executive Office of the President
- Washington, DC 20502
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- Dear Dr. Mankiw:
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- I noticed in the recently released Economic Report of
the President that there was some consternation in the defining of manufacturing.
It could be inferred from your report that the administration is willing
to recognize drink mixing, hamburger garnishing, French/freedom fry cooking,
and milk shake mixing to be vital components of our manufacturing sector.
-
- I am sure the 163,000 factory workers who have lost their
jobs in Michigan will find it heartening to know that a world of opportunity
awaits them in high growth manufacturing careers like spatula operator,
napkin restocking, and lunch tray removal. I do have some questions of
this new policy and I hope you will help me provide answers for my constituents:
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- Will federal student loans and Trade Adjustment Assistance
grants be applied to tuition costs at Burger College1 Will the administration
commit to allowing the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) to fund
cutting edge burger research such as new nugget ingredients or keeping
the hot and cold sides of burgers separate until consumption? Will special
sauce now be counted as a durable good? Do you want fries with that?
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- Finally, at a speech he gave in Michigan this past September,
Secretary Evans announced the creation of a new Assistant Secretary for
Manufacturing. While I understand that it takes a while to find the right
candidate to fill these positions, I am concerned that five months after
the announcement no Assistant Secretary has yet been named. I do, however,
know of a public official who would be perfect for the job. He has over
thirty years of administrative and media experience, has a remarkable record
of working with diverse constituencies, and is extraordinarily well qualified
to understand this emerging manufacturing sector: the Hon. Mayor McCheese.
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- With every good wish,
- John D. Dingell
Member of Congress
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