KEEPING AMERICA ON TOP: WHOM YOU KNOW CELEBRATES AMERICAN STYLE INTELLIGENCE and EXCELLENCE with the Mission of the Made in the USA Foundation
The Made in the USA Foundation was created to promote products made in the USA, domestically and overseas, and to promote American values around the world. A part of this mission is to raise standards around the world concerning minimum wages, environmental rules, labor rights and human rights.
What Organizations Support the Made in the USA Foundation?
The Made in the USA Foundation was formed in 1989 with matching grants from the United Auto Works and the Ford Motor Company. The intent was that the Foundation would be neither pro nor anti-union. Major donors to the Foundation have been Allen Edmonds Shoe Company, Anchor Hocking Glass, Anheuser Busch, Annin Flagmakers, American Apparel, Bed Head Pajamas, Bentley Prince Street Carpets, Colt’s Manufacturing Co., Ford Motor Company, Kellex Furniture, Milliken & Co., New Era Cap Company, New Balance Shoes, Oreck Vacuum Cleaner Co., Vitamix, Whirlpool Foundation, United Auto Workers, United Steelworkers Union, Communication Workers of America, Teamsters Union, Laborers International Union, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and many other unions and responsible corporations.
Litigation
The Foundation has brought many cases in its own name, and supported other lawsuits that were consistent with its purposes and has had many victories in the courts. Recently the California Supreme Court, in a landmark decision in a case filed by MUSA generalcounsel against Kwikset Locks, ruled that consumers can file court cases when a manufacturer labels a product as “Made in the USA” and the product is not American-made. California’s highest court ruled: “Simply stated: labels matter. . . .to some consumers, processes and places of origin matter. . . . in particular, to some consumers, the ‘Made in U.S.A.’ label matters.”
The Foundation also created the American Crafts Project in 1999. This project assists Am-erican designers who have their works copied overseas. This project has won 20 cases against Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Kohls and many other U.S. retailers.
Legislation
The Foundation developed and supported two pieces of federal legislation that have been en-acted into law. The first success was passage of the American Automobile Labeling Act. This law requires all new cars and trucks to have a label on the window of the vehicle that states where the vehicle was assembled, the percentage of U.S. and imported content and where the engine and transmission were made.
The Foundation worked for many years on passage of the Country of Origin Labeling Act. This law requires grocery stores to label fresh fruits, vegetables, chicken, fish, beef, lamb and other meats with their country of origin.
What the Foundation Stands For
q The Foundation supports getting tough with China for manipulating its currency, human rights and labor rights violations, allowing theft of intellectual property and other unfair trading practices.q The Foundation supports international environmental standards for power plants, steel mills, and other factories. This will clean the air, reduce global warming and make com-petition fairer.
q The Foundation supports a global min-imum wage for exporting industries. This will raise wages around the world, and prevent companies from continually shopping the globe for cheaper and cheaper labor.
q The Foundation supports strict enforce-ment of the ban on importing products made with child and slave labor.
q The Foundation support fair trade, as opposed to “free trade.” Fair trade means that workers have the right a decent wage, the right to organize, manufacturers must meet strict environental standards, child labor is prohibited, and intellectual property rights (copyrights, patents) are protected.
q The Foundation supports restrictions on outsourcing government work and services in-volving medical records, credit card information and social security card numbers.
q The Foundation is pressuring the U.S. government to buy American-made products for sale at Army, Navy and Air Force exchanges (PXs), National Parks, the Smithsonian and other U.S. government facilities.
Made in the USA Foundation
11950 San Vicente Blvd. #220
Los Angeles, California 90049
(310) MADE-USA
2012 Events:
International Gift & Home Furnishings Market
The Foundation will have a Made in the USA booth at America’s Mart in Atlanta, from January 13-17, 2012. We will publish a guide to American-made gifts and furnishings.
Hospitality Design Show
The Foundation will have a booth at the Hospitality Design Show in Las Vegas from May 15-17, 2011. We will publish the All-American Guide to Hospitality Suppliers and distribute it at the show.
Hall of Fame Awards Dinner
On July 2, 2012 at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, the Foundation will honor nominees for 20 places in the Made in the USA Hall of Fame.
Made in the USA in Qatar
The Foundation will have a booth in Doha, Qatar at Made in the USA Qatar, from September 5-8, 2012.
Publications
The Foundation publishes a monthly newsletter and books, including:
§ 50 Ways to Create Jobs in the USA
§ All American Guide Back to School Guide
§ All American Holiday Gift Guide
Board of DirectorsThe Board of Directors of the Foundation:
· Joel D. Joseph, Chairman
· Jeff Ballinger
· Hon. Andrew Maguire
· Kevin Joseph
