Congressman Rush's Blog

Lawmakers unite to keep deadly toys out of the hands of American children
Posted by: L.A. Seals (06-19-2007, 03:21 PM)

Rush, Durbin hold Chicago Congressional field hearing on consumer safety and magnetic toys   Lawmakers unite to keep deadly toys out of the hands of American children   CHICAGO—Congressman Bobby L. Rush and Senator Dick Durbin held a Congressional hearing today aimed at keeping deadly toys out of the hands of American children. Rush, as chairman of the Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection has jurisdiction over how the Consumer Product Safety Commission operates. Durbin, as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Finance Services and General Government has oversight authority over CPSC.   The hearing was sparked by the Chicago Tribune articles early last month that exposed incidences where more than a dozen children faced life-threatening injuries from playing with a popular magnetic toy. One child died as a result of the injury. The toy, Magnetix Magnetic Building Sets, uses powerful magnets, which, if dislodged, can be swallowed and attract, causing internal injuries.   “I have held two hearings on children’s safety and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, including one that addressed the Magnetix case. My subcommittee’s jurisdiction is multi-faceted and covers a broad area.  But there is nothing more important than our mission to look out for our children,” said Chairman Rush. “I’ve already publicly said that one of my priorities as chairman is to write a reform bill that overhauls the CPSC’s underlying, enabling statute.”   Those who testified included, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan; Nancy A Nord, U.S. CPSC acting chair; Sharon Henry, parent; Kyran Quinlan MD, MPH, FAAP on behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Nancy A. Cowles, Kids in Danger; Carter Keithley, president  of Toy Industry Association, Inc.   “I am here as a mother to tell the frightening story of what happened to my little boy, Deron,” said Sharon Henry, Deron’s mother. “I am also here as a concerned consumer to ensure that this tragedy does not happen to anyone else.”   Two years ago, Deron Henry swallowed magnets which had broken off of his Magnetix toy set. After complaining of stomach pains, Deron was rushed to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery for a perforated bowel. Deron survived, but may suffer from bowel obstructions and abdominal pain for the rest of his life.   “Since the Tribune articles hit the newsstands, Chairman Rush has held two hearings on the issue and is currently working on a thorough review of CPSC’s operating statutes. He plans to issue a comprehensive reform package soon.   “If the federal government cannot deliver on this basic responsibility to help parents keep their children away from avoidable hazards, then we are not doing our job,” said Rush. “The Chicago Tribune articles on Magnetix are disturbing—to say the least—and they depict the worst nightmare of any parent come true. Congress must make the necessary reforms at the Consumer Product Safety Commission to prevent future child deaths.”      

Posted in Consumer Protection | 1 Comments | View Full Posting


Congressman Rush introduces gun legislation named after Blair Holt, the Julian High School hero
Posted by: LA Seals (06-12-2007, 12:38 PM)

Congressman Rush introduces gun legislation named after Blair Holt, the Julian High School hero

Posted in Unspecified | 29 Comments | View Full Posting


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(i.e., H.R. 251)