Rhode Island. where It all began. can well be considered the prime case study of the decline of the textile Industry in the face of a tidal wave of economic change. one of the principal elements of which was a deluge of foreign competition. Since 1985. I am advised. over 3.000 Rhode Island Jobs have been lost in the textile. apparel and shoe industries. And here. as elsewhere across the country. those who are thrown out of work are often the most vulnerable. Some 75 percent of the workers in apparel and shoe industries are women and almost onethird are minority workers. And very often these are the industries that provide first employment for new immigrants to the United States. So once again. I am happy to be listed as a cosponsor of the Senate version of the Textile.
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immigrants