[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 30, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H8670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                GIVE FLORIDA TOMATO FARMERS SOME JUSTICE

  (Mr. TRAFICANT asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, Florida tomato farmers used to supply 50 
percent of all our tomatoes. They lost $1 billion last year. The 
reason: Mexico is literally throwing tomatoes at Uncle Sam. Mexican 
tomatoes are so low they could roll under a closed door with a top hat 
on.
  Check this out. A 25-pound box of Mexican tomatoes sells for $2, 
while it costs Florida tomato farmers $6 just to grow them. If that is 
not enough to stew your homegrown, check this out. The International 
Trade Commission ruled that Mexico's illegal dumping of tomatoes is not 
injuring Florida tomato farmers. Unbelievable. Who is on this 
Commission, the Three Amigos?
  Let us tell it like it is. After NAFTA, GATT, and WTO, we have gone 
from a Nation that cannot spell potato to a Nation that cannot sell 
tomatoes. Beam me up, Mr. Speaker, and give these Florida tomato 
farmers some justice.

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