[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 95 (Tuesday, July 8, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H4846]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          FREE MARKETS PROMOTE PROSPERITY AND POLITICAL REFORM

  (Mr. DREIER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, in November 1979, when he announced his 
candidacy for President of the United States, Ronald Reagan called for 
the creation of the world's largest free trade zone, the North American 
accord. His vision of the United States, Canada, and Mexico working 
together as friends in peace and prosperity was more than fanciful 
conjecture. He understood that spreading free markets and free trade 
promoted prosperity and political reform. It was good for America. 
Across the world, the past 18 years have proven Ronald Reagan's views 
correct.
  This weekend Mexico held national elections. For the first time in 
decades three parties, led by the ruling Institutional Revolutionary 
Party, split the seats in the Mexican Parliament. A non-PRI candidate 
won the mayoralty in Mexico City.
  Mr. Speaker, the American people must recognize that great and 
positive political change is proceeding in Mexico under the leadership 
of President Ernesto Zedillo. It is not that we applaud who is winning 
the elections, but that a full-fledged multiparty democracy is emerging 
on our doorstep.
  Cooperation on all fronts, from trade, immigration to crime and 
corruption, is the only way to continue to build the United States-
Mexico relationship on a foundation of mutual respect, cooperation and 
friendship befitting two great nations. NAFTA, Ronald Reagan's North 
American accord, certainly promotes that process.

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