[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 145 (Friday, October 7, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 THE EQUITABLE TRANSPORTATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES INTO THE UNITED STATES

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                            HON. JACK FIELDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 7, 1994

  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I am please to join with 
Chairman Lipinski in introducing a concurrent resolution calling on the 
Clinton administration to do everything in its power to open the 
international car carrier trade to U.S.-flag vessels, owned, operated, 
and crewed by citizens of the United States. We must urge other 
countries to eliminate their restrictive practices which unfairly 
exclude U.S.-flag carriers from the carriage of automobiles into the 
United States. If appropriate steps have not been taken to open this 
market by the time Congress reconvenes next year, I intend to work with 
the chairman next year on legislation that would provide equitable 
access to the vitally important car carrier trade for U.S.-flag 
carriers.
  Each year, millions of cars and trucks are shipped into the United 
States from overseas on foreign-flag vessels, owned, operated, and 
controlled by foreign companies and crewed by foreign seafarers. 
Foreign shipping companies and foreign automobile manufacturers are 
clearly engaging in unfair trading practices--condoned and facilitated 
by foreign governments--which have the effect of eliminating or 
minimizing the participation of U.S.-flag vessels and U.S. seafarers in 
the transportation of motor vehicles in the foreign commerce of the 
United States. These unfair and unjustified practices must end. U.S.-
flag vessels must be given the opportunity to compete in this trade on 
a fair and equitable basis.
  Mr. Speaker, this resolution enjoys bipartisan support because both 
Democrats and Republicans understand the importance of opening markets 
for American industry. Our concurrent resolution simply asks the 
President, the U.S. Trade Representative, the Secretary of 
Transportation and the Secretary of Commerce to take all necessary and 
appropriate steps to eliminate the unfair and anticompetitive practices 
in the automobile transportation trade. I urge all Members to lend 
their support to this resolution. Should favorable action not be taken 
on this matter in the near future, I look forward to working with my 
committee and the Congress to address this issue early next year.

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