(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Congressman Steve Kagen, M.D. was very disappointed
to hear that NewPage Corporation will close their Kimberly paper mill
putting another 470 employees out of work.
“The pain felt throughout the Fox Valley tonight will affect all of us.
As Niagara goes – and as Kimberly goes – so goes our nation,” said
Kagen. “I call upon President Bush to immediately consider imposing a
tariff on all paper imported from Communist China. NAFTA and CAFTA are
nothing more than a free giveaway of our jobs.”
In February, Congressman Kagen hosted a bi-partisan meeting with
Congressmen Bart Stupak and Tom Petri, state officials and the CEO of
the NewPage Corporation to discuss the future of the Niagara and
Kimberly mills. Kagen has worked tirelessly with his colleagues in
Congress to urge the federal government to adopt trade policies that
protect papermaking jobs in Wisconsin.
“How many more jobs will we allow to be stolen overseas by China?” asked
Kagen. “When will this administration, and those who support it, begin
to represent the best interests of every working family in Wisconsin and
across America?”
NewPage also closed its mill in Niagara, WI on July 12 putting 319
people out of work.
