George Herbert Walker Bush

“ This year, as we mark the 10th anniversary of National Consumers Week, let us renew our determination to ensure that every American has the basic tools needed to exercise his or her rights as a consumer. Those rights include: the right to be free of unfair monopolies, which limit selection of products and services; the right to healthful and safe products; and the right to be heard when products do not meet acceptable standards. ”

“ The theme for this year's observance of National Consumers Week, "Today's Choices -- Tomorrow's Opportunities," underscores the importance of decisions made by individual consumers. What people buy, where, and how often helps to determine the shape of the marketplace, be it at the local or the international level. Here in the United States, we have traditionally relied on the ability of consumers and private industry to balance each other's needs and interests in the marketplace, with government intervening only to ensure fairness and the safety of goods and services. ”

“ Every American needs to recognize the importance of savings and investment, and all of us must decide carefully when spending our resources. To be responsible and discerning consumers, we must be knowledgeable about available goods and services. Every American must also be able to apply fundamental literacy skills to the day-to-day challenges of participating in our economy. The skills that one uses to compare products or to balance a checkbook are vital to success, not only in the marketplace, but also in the workplace. ”