[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1562 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1562

  Recognizing the importance of trade to job creation and the United 
  States economy and calling for the immediate implementation of the 
United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, United States-Panama 
  Free Trade Agreement, and United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 27, 2010

Mr. Minnick (for himself, Mr. Cuellar, Mr. Moran of Virginia, Mr. Kind, 
Mr. Cao, Mr. Olson, Mr. Boozman, and Mr. Reyes) submitted the following 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Recognizing the importance of trade to job creation and the United 
  States economy and calling for the immediate implementation of the 
United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, United States-Panama 
  Free Trade Agreement, and United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement.

Whereas South Korea is the United States' fourth-largest trading partner;
Whereas Colombia is the United States' largest agricultural market in South 
        America;
Whereas Panama is a center of global commerce and trade between the United 
        States and Panama amounted to $5,500,000,000 in 2008;
Whereas the United States is Panama's largest trading partner;
Whereas the agreement will be a step forward in government procurement 
        mechanisms, especially in light of the Panama Canal expansion;
Whereas the United States International Trade Commission estimates that the 
        United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, United States-Panama 
        Free Trade Agreement, and United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement, once 
        implemented, would increase annual United States exports of goods alone 
        by roughly $12,000,000,000;
Whereas United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk said, the pending agreements 
        with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama, in particular, ``have value, and 
        when we are fighting for every job on the table, we need to get these 
        right so we can reap the benefit'';
Whereas United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk said, ``I believe there is 
        enough value in [the pacts with] Panama and Colombia, particularly since 
        we have already granted duty-free status to goods'' from both countries, 
        ``You just can't make a credible case to deny us the return 
        investment'';
Whereas United States Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said, ``This administration 
        will pursue trade agreements that are balanced [and] ambitious and 
        improve market access for U.S. workers, firms, farmers and ranchers'';
Whereas United States Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said, ``Approving [the] 
        pacts [with Colombia, South Korea, and Panama] are part of the 
        administration's plan for boosting exports'';
Whereas President Barack Obama said, ``We will double our exports over the next 
        five years, an increase that will support two million jobs in America'';
Whereas President Barack Obama said, ``Those who once would oppose any trade 
        agreement now understand that there are new markets and new sectors out 
        there that we need to break into if we want our workers to get ahead'';
Whereas President Barack Obama said, ``In a time when millions of Americans are 
        out of work, boosting our exports is a short-term imperative''; and
Whereas President Barack Obama said, ``We're going to strengthen relations with 
        key partners, specifically South Korea, Panama, and Colombia, with the 
        goal of moving forward with existing agreements in a way that upholds 
        our values'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) the House of Representatives recognizes the importance 
        of reducing trade barriers between the United States and key 
        trade partners in order to increase exports, create jobs, 
        stimulate the economy, and improve relations with international 
        trade partners; and
            (2) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that 
        the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, United 
        States-Panama Free Trade Agreement, and United States-Korea 
        Free Trade Agreement should be implemented immediately.
                                 <all>