[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 154 (Thursday, November 6, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H10107-H10108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       PASS FAST TRACK AUTHORITY

  (Mr. DAVIS of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House

[[Page H10108]]

for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow the House is scheduled to 
vote on fast track legislation to provide this President with the same 
negotiating authority that every President has had since 1974 in this 
country. Opponents argue that the debate is about jobs. That is exactly 
what the debate is about. This is a debate about whether we are going 
to continue as a country to enjoy the benefits of further exports that 
provide high-paying jobs in our country.
  Fast track legislation has enabled the Congress and the President to 
work together since 1974 as the public expects us to do, to take 
advantages of opportunities around the world, to use our prowess as a 
country, our competitive spirit, our resources to prevail in the world 
economy. If we do not take advantage of the opportunity to renew fast 
track authority tomorrow, we will lose a very important opportunity.
  Yesterday I met with a worker from my hometown who came up here to 
tell me that his job and the jobs of his sons were at stake unless we 
renewed fast track authority. He was speaking on behalf of countless 
workers around the country who expect us to do the right thing.
  When we go to vote tomorrow, let us keep in mind the jobs around the 
country that are at risk and the future jobs we can provide for our 
children, and let us pass fast track authority.

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