Souder Speaks Out Against Lack Of Scientific Evidence At Hearing

Press Release

At a hearing held today by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, U.S. Rep. Mark Souder expressed strong concern that countless manufacturing jobs in Elkhart County could be threatened by scientifically-unfounded allegations regarding levels of formaldehyde in emergency housing supplied to Gulf Coast residents displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

"At a time of crisis, hardworking Hoosier manufacturers came to the aid of their fellow Americans in Louisiana and Mississippi," Souder said. "And yet they have faced a relentless barrage of attacks from Congress that have largely ignored science, and instead relied on anecdotes that could be as much motivated by lawsuits as anything else. RV manufacturers in Elkhart County are already facing tremendous economic pressure, and the allegations raised at today's hearing can only hurt them further. If Congress isn't careful, these good Hoosier manufacturing jobs will simply move to China."

"Formaldehyde is in the wood and other products in all types of housing," Souder said. "In fact, a scientific study in southern Louisiana conducted by Tulane University found that traditional ‘site-built' homes scored four-times higher for formaldehyde than the FEMA travel trailers. This study suggests that the RV industry has been singled out unfairly."

Testifying at today's hearing were the heads of four Elkhart County-based RV manufacturers: Jim Shea, Chairman, Gulf Stream Coach; Steve Bennett, Past President, Pilgrim International; Ronald Fenech, President, Keystone RV; and Peter Liegl, President and CEO, Forest River.

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