IV 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 987 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

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.