Reps. Steil, Vander Veen, Meyer, Voorhees, Van Regenmorter, Koetje, Shackleton, Lipsey, Caswell, Nofs, Sak, Kooiman, Drolet, Milosch, Shaffer, Stahl, Brandenburg, Bieda, DeRossett, Ehardt, Garfield, Shulman and Taub offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 37.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact legislation that would remove the unfair advantages that Federal Prison Industries has in competition for business.

            Whereas, In 1934, Federal Prison Industries (FPI) was created as a government corporation.  This system operates more than 100 factories, utilizes more than 20,000 inmate workers, and compiles total sales of approximately $500 million annually from over 150 products; and

            Whereas, While the role that FPI plays in promoting the development of marketable skills among inmates has clear merits, this operation enjoys unfair advantages over private sector manufacturers. Even beyond the obvious wages and benefits advantages inmate workers offer, other factors favor FPI.  This is especially true through certain governmental procurement policies, including a "mandatory source" requirement that severely limits competition; and

            Whereas, Michigan is harmed significantly by the advantages FPI has over private manufacturers, especially within the furniture industry.  Thousands of Michigan workers have lost their jobs in recent years, and the favorable policies for FPI are major contributing factors in these job losses; and

            Whereas, In the past, legislation has been considered in Congress to address directly the issue of the preferential treatment afforded FPI in bidding for government contracts.  This unfair situation needs to be corrected to preserve jobs and to restore fairness in the marketplace; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact legislation that would remove the unfair advantages that Federal Prison Industries has in competition for business; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.