I also want to personally wish you all a safe and happy Labor Day on Monday.  

As you know, throughout our nation's history, the American workforce has been stronger, better trained and more reliable than any other in the world.  It is these qualities that have lead the world to look to us for world leadership.

However in a time when it has become fashionable to use words like free trade and globalization, the American workforce is being threatened by individuals who are more concerned with corporate profits than the hard working men and women who work for them.  Due to free trade agreements and corporate mergers the American Industrial Worker is slowly becoming extinct.

This is not acceptable.  Congress and the Administration must begin taking steps to ensure that the United States does not become completely reliant on the importation of foreign goods.   Both our nation's economy and job force depend on the jobs which are created by our agricultural and industrial base.

As many of you here today know first hand, a simple agreement between two companies, nonetheless two nations, can cost hundreds of jobs.
 
For the last several months, I have been actively working to defend all of the jobs at Green Tree Chemical Technologies in Parlin.  As you are well aware, due to a joint venture between General Dynamics and Alliant Techsystems to produce Nitrocellulose at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant, the Green Tree plant may be forced to close its door.

After sending several letters to both the Department of Defense and the Federal Trade Commission, asking that they investigate this joint venture, I was forced to call Under-secretary of Defense Pete Aldridge to show him how important this issue is to me and my constituents.

I stressed my belief to both the DOD and the FTC that it is in our nation's best interest to have two independent sources of Nitrocellulose.  If Green Tree is allowed to go under, not only will we lose hundreds of jobs in Middlesex County but we will immediately threaten our national defense.  Since Nitrocellulose is used in almost all Army munitions and is highly explosive, it is only logical that there are two different sources of production.

Both Senator Torricelli and I have been in constant contact with the Department of Defense.  Our staffs speak almost daily to ensure that Green Tree and their employees receive the attention at the DOD and FTC that they deserve.  Unfortunately, without a little push these agencies seem to forget who they are really representing, the American people, rather than big business interests in Washington.

Please be assured that I will continue to fight on your behalf in Washington.  Green Tree is an important resource to both New Jersey and the United States.  I will continue to make sure the big bureaucrats at the FTC and DOD are hearing your voices.
 
Once again I want to wish you all a very happy Labor Day and thank you for all your hard work in making America great.