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GLYPTIS INVITES BUSH TO VISIT WEIRTON Weirton, W.Va. -- ISU President Mark Glyptis has asked President Bush to travel to Weirton so he can see firsthand how important the steel industry is to the local community. Glyptis, who sent a letter to the president earlier this week, hopes to meet with members of the Bush administration in the near future to discuss the state of the domestic industry. The discussion is expected to center around the industry-wide consolidation which has been recommended by Bush and large steelmakers like U.S. Steel. ``I want to make sure the president knows how important it is to include domestic producers like Weirton Steel in the consolidation talks,'' said Glyptis. ``The administration has recommended the industry reduce its current capacity, but I believe there is enough demand that we need to maintain our capacity. I agree that some consolidation is necessary, but it's important to preserve jobs, protect our pensions and maintain the benefits of retirees and active employees.'' Glyptis has requested that Bush visit Weirton prior to making his decision on what type of remedy will be implemented to ease the import burden. Bush, who is expected to render his decision in early March, can support a recommendation that was given to him by the International Trade Commission in December or he can fashion his own remedy. Industry leaders like Glyptis testified before the ITC, urging the commissioners to recommend tariffs as high as 50 percent for four years. Instead, the ITC offered a disjointed proposal calling for tariffs ranging from 8 to 40 percent. ``President Bush needs to visit the Ohio Valley to get the full impact of how important his decision is to the entire industry and especially to companies like Weirton Steel,'' said Glyptis. ``The continued viability of our industry hinges on the president's decision and I want him to meet the people who stand to lose the most if he does not impose the highest tariffs possible.'' Glyptis sent a second letter to Bush this week thanking him for the efforts he has already made to help the industry. The ITC, which ruled in October that domestic companies have been harmed by imports, began its investigation at the president's request. ``I also want to thank Sen. Ed Bowman and Delegate Gil White who were instrumental in making sure the second letter got to the president when he made a stop downstate on Tuesday,'' said Glyptis. ``The entire Northern Panhandle legislative delegation has been very supportive of our efforts and have worked hard to do their part in protecting the local steelmakers.''
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