DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-53,072

CONGRESS INDUSTRIES, INC.
HAWTHORNE, NEW JERSEY

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of
1974 (19 USC 2273), as amended, the Department of Labor
herein presents the results of its investigation regarding
certification of eligibility to apply for worker adjustment
assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and
issue a certification of eligibility to apply for Trade
Adjustment Assistance, the group eligibility requirements
in either paragraph (a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222
of the Trade Act must be met. It is determined in this case
that the requirements of (a)(2)(A) of Section 222 have been
met.
The investigation was initiated on October 1, 2003, in
response to a petition filed by the Union of Needletraders,
Industrial and Textile Employees; Local 1733 on behalf of
workers of Congress Industries, Inc., Hawthorne, New
Jersey. The workers produce textile prints.
The investigation revealed sales, production and
employment at the subject firm declined from 2001 to 2002
and also declined from January through July 2003 when
compared to the same time in 2002.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that there
were substantial and increasing aggregate United States
imports of textile prints from 2001 to 2002 and also from
January through July 2003 when compared to the same time in
2002.
In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974
(26 USC 2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein
presents the results of its investigation regarding
certification of eligibility to apply for alternative trade
adjustment assistance (ATAA) for older workers.
In order for the Department to issue a certification
of eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility
requirements of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met.
The Department has determined in this case that the
requirements of Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50
or over and possess skills that are not easily
transferable. Competitive conditions within the industry
are adverse.

Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that increases of imports of
articles like or directly competitive with textile prints
produced at Congress Industries, Inc., Hawthorne, New
Jersey contributed importantly to the total or partial
separation of workers and to the decline in sales or
production at that firm or subdivision. In accordance with
the provisions of the Act, I make the following
certification:
"All workers of Congress Industries, Inc., Hawthorne,
New Jersey who became totally or partially separated
from employment on or after September 4, 2002 through
two years from the date of certification are eligible
to apply for adjustment assistance under Section 223
of the Trade Act of 1974 and are also eligible to
apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."
Signed in Washington, D.C. this 12th day of November, 2003.

/s/ Linda G. Poole

______________________________
LINDA G. POOLE
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance