We take this responsibility very seriously at both main Treasury and at the Customs Bureau. We shall rely of course on the expertise and the vast experience the Customs Service has in enforcing trade laws. Commissioner Kelly and Assistant Secretary Bresee are giving this issue a high priority in their enforcement work. The fact that Lis Bresee and Sam Banks are here shows how much we want to reach out to all the affected constituencies for your ideas and your support. In selecting the members of the Committee, we tried to achieve balance and diversity of background and viewpoint.
All opinions are welcome here.
But, we also wanted people committed to deal with this issue as an important national priority. You are all agreed on the importance of eliminating the abuses of child labor. If not, you would not be here. That you may have principled differences over means or strategy is no indication of lack of commitment on the issue. It is, indeed, important to your mission.