Sen. Gillibrand ‘grateful’ to Olympic Committee for uniform pledge

{mosads}Late Friday, following a day of bad press, the committee announced it is “absolutely committed” to ensuring that the uniforms for the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games are manufactured domestically.

The response follows a wave of congressional disapproval over the news that the Ralph Lauren-designed clothing meant to be worn by Team USA during the ceremonies was made in China. The controversy comes just two weeks before the start of the Summer Olympics in London. 

Sens. Gillibrand, Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) all sent letters to the Olympic Committee last week asking it to make sure official Team USA uniforms are made in the United States in the future.

In its statement, the Olympic Committee asked the American people to “rally around Team USA” despite the fact that it is too late to replace the China-made clothing the athletes will be wearing this year.

“I’m extremely grateful to the U.S. Olympic Committee and Ralph Lauren for listening to our concerns and committing to making all future Team USA uniforms, beginning in 2014, right here in America,” Gillibrand said. “I feel strongly that the pride of our Olympic athletics goes hand in hand with the pride of American innovation and manufacturing. So I’m very pleased that when our best athletes are representing our country on the world stage, the best of American-made goods will be represented as well.”