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[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 183 (Monday, December 8, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

   SENATE RESOLUTION 722--RECOGNIZING JANUARY 2, 2009 AS ``NATIONAL 
                      ADVERTISING SPECIALTY DAY''

  Mr. SPECTER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 722

       Whereas an advertising specialty is any item imprinted with 
     a logo or slogan and given out to promote a company, 
     organization, product, service, special achievement, or 
     event;
       Whereas the presidential campaign of George Washington 
     first used advertising specialties in the United States in 
     1789, in the form of collectible buttons;
       Whereas there are more than 750,000 varieties of specialty 
     advertising;
       Whereas the advertising specialty industry employs more 
     than 344,000 professionals across the United States, and 85 
     percent of these professionals are employed by small- or 
     medium-sized businesses, some of which gross up to $1,000,000 
     per year;
       Whereas the advertising specialty industry has grown an 
     average of 4 percent each year since 2003 and reached 
     $19,600,000,000 in 2007;
       Whereas advertising specialties accounted for 14 percent of 
     all tracked advertising spending in the United States in 
     2007; and
       Whereas the advertising specialty industry accounts for 
     more than 9,000 jobs in Pennsylvania: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes January 2, 2009 as ``National Advertising 
     Specialty Day''; and
       (2) acknowledges the contributions the specialty 
     advertising industry makes to the economy of the United 
     States.

  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I have sought recognition to introduce a 
resolution recognizing January 2 as National Advertising Specialty Day.
  An advertising specialty is any item imprinted with a logo or slogan 
and given out to promote a company, organization, product, service, 
special achievement or event. The use of advertising specialties has 
historical relevance as the industry dates back to George Washington's 
use of collectible buttons in his presidential campaign in 1789. Today, 
there are over 750,000 varieties of advertising specialties.
  The advertising specialty industry is now a major contributor to the 
United States economy. The industry employs over 344,000 professionals, 
including 9,000 in Pennsylvania. Eighty-five percent of these 
professionals are employed in small or medium-size businesses, some of 
which gross up to one million dollars per year.
  The advertising specialty industry has experienced substantial 
growth. It has grown annually at an average rate of 4 percent since 
2003 making it a 19.6 billion dollar industry in 2007. Advertising 
specialties now account for over 14 percent of all tracked advertising 
spending in the United States.
  It is important to recognize the positive contributions the 
advertising specialty industry has had on the economy by creating jobs 
and small businesses. I urge my colleagues to support this industry by 
designating January 2 as National Advertising Specialty Day.

                          ____________________
```