Secretary Pritzer's Response Letter

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
The Secretary of Commerce
Washington, D.C. 20230

October 8, 2015

The Honorable Richard C. Shelby
Chairman, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Shelby:
Thank you for your September 10, 2015, letter requesting that the Department of
Commerce conduct a comprehensive survey and assessment on the health, competitiveness, and
contribution ofthe U.S. textile, apparel, and footwear industry to the U.S. economy. As you are
aware, the Department's Bureau ofIndustry and Security (BIS) conducted a similar study for
Congress in 2003.
I agree that conducting a new survey and assessment at this time will provide the
Department of Commerce and your subcommittee with a comprehensive set of statistics and
findings on this important defense-related industry. An assessment would be useful for
providing data to monitor trends, benchmark industry performance, and raise awareness of
potential issues of concern.
With that in mind, I have asked BIS to initiate a new survey and assessment of the U.S.
textile, apparel, and footwear industrial base. BIS is responsible for conducting industry-wide
surveys and assessments for the Department under the authority of the Defense Production Act
ofl950.
If you have further concerns or questions, please contact Jim Stowers, Acting Assistant
Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, at (202) 482-3663.
I appreciate your confidence in BIS and look forward to working with you on this
important effort.
Sincerely,

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