SR0673

LRB096 21341 GRL 37430 r





  
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SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
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    WHEREAS, Spartan Light Metal Products has been an industry 
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leader in magnesium custom die castings for the past 4 decades; 
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the company has been owned and operated as a family business 
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since 1961 and employs over 600 people; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Spartan Light Metal Products provides die cast 
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products from magnesium alloys that reduce weight and improve 
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performance of products at competitive costs; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Magnesium die casting, such as Spartan Light Metal 
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Products, are being greatly harmed by the tariffs (731-TA-1071 
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and 731-TA-1072) that have been placed on imported magnesium 
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alloys by the United States International Trade Commission; 
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these tariffs allow the nation's lone magnesium producer to set 
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whatever price it chooses for raw magnesium, driving many die 
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cast companies out of business; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, The tariffs have created an advantage for foreign 
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competitors, who can purchase magnesium at 
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globally-competitive prices and export finished products to 
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U.S. markets free of penalties; this practice replaces U.S. 
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manufacturing jobs and could lead to bankruptcy for the 
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industry; and
  
 
 


 






SR0673
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LRB096 21341 GRL 37430 r




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    WHEREAS, The tariffs have also placed U.S. car 
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manufacturers at a cost and weight disadvantage against foreign 
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carmakers in meeting Corporate Average Fuel Economy 
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requirements; as a result, about 60% of Spartan Light Metal 
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Products' magnesium business for 2011 is disappearing at a time 
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when the demand for magnesium products is growing; therefore, 
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be it
  
 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the U.S. 
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President and Congress to find a creative solution to protect 
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the nation's lone magnesium producer without destroying the 
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U.S. magnesium die casting industry; and be it further
  
 
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    RESOLVED, That we further urge the U.S. President and 
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Congress to lift U.S. tariffs 731-TA-1071 and 731-TA-1072 on 
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die cast magnesium alloys from China and Russia or to create a 
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fair market by placing a similar tariff on imported assemblies 
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and products made from die cast magnesium alloys; and be it 
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further
 
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    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
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presented to the President of the United States and the members 
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of the Illinois congressional delegation.