[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 987 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 987

 Recognizing the importance of trade to the United States economy and 
 the importance of passing free trade agreements with Colombia, South 
                           Korea, and Panama.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           December 16, 2009

    Mr. Frelinghuysen submitted the following resolution; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the importance of trade to the United States economy and 
 the importance of passing free trade agreements with Colombia, South 
                           Korea, and Panama.

Whereas trade is an efficient means to create private sector jobs;
Whereas 64 trade pacts have taken effect worldwide;
Whereas the United States is a party to 5 of these pacts, the European Union is 
        a party to 8 of these pacts, and Japan is a party to 9 of these pacts;
Whereas the International Trade Administration has noted that from 2007 to 2008, 
        exports had increased to each and every trading partner with which the 
        United States has a free trade agreement;
Whereas the World Trade Organization's Doha Development Round began on November 
        14, 2001, in Doha, Qatar and is currently ongoing;
Whereas the Trade Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-210) provided the President of the 
        United States with fast track negotiating authority for trade 
        agreements, but such authority expired on July 1, 2007;
Whereas the United States and Colombia signed the United States-Colombia Trade 
        Promotion Agreement on November 22, 2006;
Whereas the United States and Panama signed the United States-Panama Free Trade 
        Agreement on June 28, 2007;
Whereas the United States and South Korea signed the United States-Korea Free 
        Trade Agreement on June 30, 2007;
Whereas these 3 trade agreements have not been ratified by the United States 
        Congress;
Whereas these trade agreements will have profoundly positive diplomatic impacts 
        that will serve to solidify United States relations with rising regional 
        economic powers; and
Whereas the United States must continue to expand its trading relationships to 
        create jobs: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) the House of Representatives recognizes the importance 
        of reduced trade barriers to the United States for promoting 
        economic development, creating jobs, and solidifying relations 
        with trading partners; and
            (2) it is the sense of the House 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.
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