OAKLAND, California -- U.S. Congressman George Miller (D-Martinez) joined students at a rally in Oakland Friday calling on the University of California and other schools to adopt strong anti-sweatshop codes of conduct for university merchandise like sweatshirts and baseball caps. Miller issued the following statement.

"I want to commend all of you for your continued actions to help end sweatshop-production of products bearing your university's logo. It is because of you and many other students around the country that universities have had to confront this issue. It is because of you that some of them have chosen to adopt codes of conduct to reform their licencing agreements. DO NOT BACK DOWN!

"You have already made progress by pressuring UC to adopt a code. Although you believe that the existing code is ineffective, you can successfully change it to ensure student participation, collective bargaining rights, full public disclosure, a living wage and women's rights.

"You are right and you have a lot of support.

"I am here today to show my support for your efforts and to encourage you to continue working to ensure that hats, T-shirts and other products with any of the UC's logos are made under proper working conditions.

"You should know that you have support in Congress.

"I successfully won an amendment in last year's Higher Education Act reauthorization legislation to declare that it is the sense of Congress that all colleges and universities should adopt rigorous codes of conduct for their licencing agreements.

"In February, over 20 other Members of Congress and I -- including the top two Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives and the former student civil rights leader and now Congressman from Atlanta John Lewis -- sent all students an open letter supporting student protests for strong and effective codes of conduct. This letter was reprinted in many school newspapers.

"In March, we wrote to President Clinton urging that he refrain from taking any steps, like pressuring universities to support the Fair Labor Association, that could undercut student efforts to reform university-licencing efforts.

"Also last month, I wrote to UC President Atkinson urging UC to work more closely with students to develop an effective code of conduct. I urged President Atkinson to refrain from joining the Fair Labor Association until issues of full public disclosure, living wages, and transparent, credible monitoring are addressed.

"And just yesterday, I organized other Members of Congress to write with me to President Atkinson and many other schools across the country, urging them not to join the Fair Labor Association until there is a full and fair discussion of the issues and with the full participation of students.

"Creating and enforcing codes of conduct to change the over $2.5 billion university licencing industry will be a significant achievement in the long and difficult fight to eradicate sweatshops. As students you have a powerful influence over your schools and on our country and I strongly support your efforts for a more just society.

"You have started a movement. Your movement is exciting. It has energy. Do not underestimate the power of your movement to change the way America does business.

"Thank You."