Robert Menendez

Senator Menendez: Keeping Manufacturing Jobs in Jersey a Key to our Future

Tours Local Shirt Factory, Discusses Job Creation with Owner and Workers

February 9, 2011

Newark – Keeping and creating manufacturing jobs in New Jersey is a key to America’s future, said US Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) during a tour today of a local family-owned shirt manufacturing company. Menendez, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, visited Gambert shirts in Newark and discussed efforts to keep good-paying manufacturing jobs in America.

Senator Menendez has been working to fix broken Washington policies that encourage US companies to produce goods overseas – and send jobs there as well.  Menendez plans to introduce  legislation next week that will help to level the playing field for American manufacturing workers by reducing duties paid on imported fabrics so that companies can afford to continue to manufacturing shirts in the Unites States.  Currently may foreign manufacturers enjoy duty free treatment for imports of finished dress shirts, while U.S. dress shirt manufacturers, like Gambert, pay high tariffs on shirting fabrics.

Senator Menendez said, “American workers are the best in the world – especially here in New Jersey. But they’re fighting a losing battle on an uneven playing field. That’s wrong, and it’s time we fix it.  By leveling the playing field we can create and retain jobs right here in Newark, not overseas.”

Gambert Shirts has been locally-owned and operated by the Mel Gambert family for over 75 years. They create “shirts of virtually every conceivable style, fabric, and collar/cuff design; from classic business attire to casual weekend wear.” To learn more about Gambert Shirts, please visit http://www.gambertshirts.com.

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