Congressional Record, Volume 146 Issue 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)

[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H2572-H2589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 434, TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2000

Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I
call up House Resolution 489 and ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

H. Res. 489

Resolved, That upon adoption of this resolution it shall be
in order to consider the conference report to accompany the
bill (H.R. 434) to authorize a new trade and investment
policy for sub-Sahara Africa. All points of order against the
conference report and against its consideration are waived.
The conference report shall be considered as read.

The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Upton). The gentleman from New York (Mr.
Reynolds) is recognized for 1 hour.
(Mr. REYNOLDS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks, and include extraneous material.)
Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, for the purposes of debate only, I yield
the customary 30 minutes to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr.
Moakley), the distinguished ranking member of the Committee on Rules,
pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During
consideration of the resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of
debate only.
Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 489 provides for consideration of the
conference report to accompany H.R. 434, the Trade and Development Act
of 2000. The rule waives all points of order against the conference
report and its consideration. Additionally, the rule provides that the
conference report shall be considered as read.
The Trade and Development Act of 2000 conference report offers
opportunities for the United States to enhance trade with diverse
nations in both sub-Saharan Africa and Caribbean Basin countries.
Mr. Speaker, the end of the Cold War has opened up sub-Saharan Africa
to the world as never before. Only now are so many African nations able
to start making the necessary reforms to become part of the global
economy.
The new economic realities of sub-Saharan Africa must be met and
encouraged by the United States. Indeed, improving the lives of the
people in sub-Saharan Africa can best be accomplished by advancing the
development of free market economies and representative democracies.

{time} 1330

H.R. 434 is a vehicle for that economic and social progression.
The Trade and Development Act of 2000 will provide sub-Saharan
countries with the tools needed to raise the standard of living in
African nations, while simultaneously benefiting the United States by
opening new trade and investment opportunities for U.S. firms and
workers.
Additionally, the bill preserves the United States' commitment to the
Caribbean Basin beneficiary countries by promoting growth and free
enterprise and economic opportunity in these neighboring countries. By
promoting economic opportunity in the Caribbean countries, the United
States enhances our own national security interests.
The bill includes strict and effective customs procedures to guard
against transshipment. Under a ``one strike and you are out''
provision, if an exporter is determined to have engaged in illegal
transshipment of textile and apparel products from a CBI country, the
President is required to deny all benefits under the bill to that
exporter for a period of 2 years.
The conference report also focuses on eliminating certain human
rights abuses by requiring all countries participating in trade with
the United States under this bill to implement commitments to eliminate
the worst forms of child labor in order to receive benefits.
There is no question that the creation of an investment-friendly
environment in Africa and enhancing the Caribbean Basin will benefit
all countries involved by attracting the capital needed to provide and
promote the needed job creation and economic growth.
I would like to commend the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman),
chairman of the Committee on International Relations; the gentleman
from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson), the ranking member; along with the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Archer), the chairman of the Committee on
Ways and Means; the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Crane), chairman of
the Subcommittee on Trade; the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel),
the ranking member of the Committee on Ways and Means; and the
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), chairman of the Subcommittee on
Africa.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the
underlying bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Reynolds), my colleague and my dear friend, for yielding me the this
time; and I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, this rule was only reported out of the Committee on
Rules less than 3 hours ago. But because my Republican colleagues just
enacted martial law, we are considering this rule the same day it was
reported, without the typical two-thirds vote that is required for the
same-day consideration.
It is not as if there is much activity on the House floor these days,
Mr. Speaker. It is not as if we are working late into the night 6 days
a week and we have to rush to finish. The real reason for the quick
consideration is that this bill was so quickly put together that my
Republican colleagues are worried that close analysis will prove fatal,
and they are probably right.
Although this bill is hot off the presses, we have some idea what is
in it; and, Mr. Speaker, so far it does not look too good. This bill
includes an African trade bill that will neither help African workers
nor American workers. It will allow the transfer of goods from China
through Africa, goods that are made in unsafe conditions by workers who
are drastically underpaid.
It will hurt the African environment by failing to put protections in
the proper place. And it does nothing to provide serious debt relief to
African countries, debt relief we have already granted to countries on
other continents.
Mr. Speaker, this bill removes, removes some very strong provisions
designed to stop the spread of AIDS in Africa, provisions that would
have saved many, many lives.
But, Mr. Speaker, this bill does not stop at Africa. It includes a
NAFTA expansion to the Caribbean countries, despite the problems that
we are having with NAFTA in Mexico. And despite this devastating job
loss and the environmental degradation that we have seen under NAFTA,
this bill creates duty-free, quota-free access to American markets for
textile and apparel assembled in Central America and also in the
Caribbean islands. That is 24 countries which will be given
unparalleled access to American markets and asked to provide nothing in
return.
Mr. Speaker, by creating this access, we will be violating our
agreement to treat all World Trade Organization countries the same. The
last time this idea came up, it lost resoundingly. This time it is
being shoved into a conference report along with a lot of other
unrelated proposals that will put American garment workers at further
risk of losing their jobs.
This bill contains trade favors for Albania. It offers normal trade
relations to Kyrgyzstan, a country that did not even exist 10 years
ago. The bill restores trade benefits for Israeli yarn. And another
section of this bill, known as the ``carousel provision,'' was really
written to please the banana growers and beef producers in their
disputes with the European Union.

[[Page H2573]]

So, Mr. Speaker, in short, this bill is like a dozen other Republican
bills before it. It is a grab bag of benefits for the very rich, for
the very powerful; and it hurts everyone else.
So I urge my colleagues to oppose this rule and oppose the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier), the distinguished chairman of
the Committee on Rules.
Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Reynolds) for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the House for its
perspicacity in casting an overwhelming vote, 300 Members supported the
last rule. And I suspect we will have a similar vote on this rule and I
hope on the conference report itself. It is a very good and important
piece of legislation.
We as a Nation have stood for promoting economic reform and global
prosperity and leadership. And leadership is a very important quality
that we need to make sure we do not in any way jeopardize. People who
vote against this conference report will be undermining our future
economic prosperity and undermining the very important role that we
play as global leader.
When we think about the issue of trade, it is obviously a very tough
one. It is tough because protectionism is an easy thing to engage in.
In fact, protectionism thrives on anxiety. I find that the moment
people become anxious about any issue, the response is to pull up the
draw bridge and say: Oh, no, we cannot proceed with this.
The other thing that I often find when we engage in these debates is
that the most strident protectionists always stand up here in the well
and say: I am a free trader, but not this agreement.
Mr. Speaker, I will tell my colleagues there are things in this
package about which I am not absolutely ecstatic, but I do know that
when we think about those 48 nations in sub-Saharan Africa; when we
think about the millions of people in the Caribbean; the 700 million
people in sub-Saharan Africa; and what obviously is our top priority,
when we think about that single mother here in the United States of
America who is struggling to make ends meet and is going to a store to
buy clothing for her children, we want to make sure that the quality of
life for that single mother is enhanced. That is what this is all
about.
It is a win/win/win all the way around. A win for the United States
of America. It is a win for those people struggling to emerge in
developing nations in sub-Saharan Africa to the economic prosperity
about which they dream. And it is a win for the people in the
Caribbean.
So I believe, again, that we today are going to be laying the
groundwork with this vote for an even more important vote that will
take place the week of May 22 when we decide whether or not the United
States of America is going to maintain its role as the paramount global
leader, or whether or not we are going to cede that to other countries
throughout the world.
So, I compliment, again, the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce),
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), the gentleman from Illinois
(Mr. Crane), and so many others who have been involved in fashioning
this very important piece of legislation; and I urge support of the
rule and the conference report itself.
Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Rangel), the ranking member of the Committee on Ways and
Means and the author of this African trade bill.
(Mr. RANGEL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts
(Mr. Moakley) for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, for those that have problems with how the bill is being
expedited or the process in which the conference was held, I sure can
understand those criticisms. The reason that I support the rule and
support the underlying bills is because of the long wait it has taken
even for this country to recognize that we should have equity in
dealing with people of color in the Caribbean, in Africa. And in
Africa, we never had any open agreement at all.
For those who are against trade, for those who said I feel the same
way about NAFTA and will vote against China, and feel the same way
about the Caribbean and Africa, I can understand that. But for those
people who say that we did not do enough for Africa, I ask why do you
not ask the 48 African leaders and trade ministers that have been
begging for these types of encouragement for investment so that they
can get out of poverty and have disposable income and can become truly
partners with the United States of America.
For those who say that outsiders and rich people are the ones that
are going to benefit, while they are there looking at the sand and
enjoying the sun in the Caribbean, they should also see the poverty.
Those people want to have more than just tourism. They want to be
anchored in commerce. We can do it. We promised. We got agreements with
the people in the Caribbean. They were undercut when we gave a better
deal to Mexico. It is called the Caribbean Basin Initiative Parity
Bill. Just make it equal with what we have given to Mexico so that we
do not take away what is given to them.
So my colleagues may not like the procedure. We waited a long time. I
do not know when this would come back if we did not have the bill here
now. I know one thing, I feel more secure in arguing the merits of
these two bills now than I would if we mixed it up with arguing the
bill as to whether or not we should give permanent trade recognition to
China.
Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce), the chair of the Subcommittee on Africa of the
Committee on International Relations, and an integral part of making
this legislation the crafted conference report that is before us.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I am one of the cosponsors of this
legislation, along with the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) and
the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott) and the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Crane).
Let me just say that I think that this bipartisan legislation,
frankly, will not solve all of Africa's problems, but it is a big step
in the right direction. It will help Africa. It will help the United
States.
Mr. Speaker, what this bill will do is to grant greater access to the
U.S. market to those African countries that are lowering barriers to
American goods and investment, that are lowering their tariffs, that
are reducing their red tape, that are promoting private property
rights.
This legislation, in other words, treats trade as a two-way street
between the African subcontinent and the United States. And this is why
the African Growth and Opportunity Act has received such strong support
from American exporters, particularly those already in Africa and aware
of the many opportunities.
America's exports to Africa total some $6 billion per year, but we at
this point are less than 5 percent of that market. U.S. trade with
Africa, which is greater than our trade with Eastern Europe, which is
greater than our trade with Russia, supports 100,000 American jobs now.
Passage of this bill would likely shift to Africa textile and apparel
orders currently being filled by China and other Asian producers. This
means that the African Growth and Opportunity Act bears no threat to
American jobs.
While modest from the American perspective, this bill promises
tangible benefits as well as a psychological boost to African countries
wanting to become economic partners with the United States.
Realistically, the U.S. could not isolate itself from a 21st-century
Africa suffering from war or environmental degradation or terrorism and
drug trafficking.

{time} 1345

Increasing economic opportunities for Africans is an antidote to this
scenario, translating into improved educational and health services,
better environmental protections, and greater social stability. I
recall President Museveni saying the only way we are going to increase
the tax base here is by moving toward free enterprise. That

[[Page H2574]]

is what they are doing in Uganda and Botswana and other countries in
Africa.
Africa, much of Africa, frankly, is in dire economic straits. But,
fortunately, a number of African countries have changed course. They
have liberalized their economies by lifting restrictions and reducing
taxes on commercial activity, permitting private ownership of assets,
and becoming more welcoming of foreign investment.
This bill's passage and that of the Caribbean Basin Initiative that
is now part of this bill would demonstrate that the world's most
powerful economy has serious interests in Africa's economic
development. This is a win for the United States. It is a win for
Africa. I urge an ``aye'' vote on this rule and on final passage of the
bill.
Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Wynn).
Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for
yielding me the time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the underlying bill. I, like
many of my colleagues, am not exactly enamored by the procedural pass
that brought us to this point, but I think the underlying bill has
tremendous merit; and, therefore, we should move forward.
This is an opportunity for us to chart a transition path from
providing economic assistance to providing trade assistance to Africa,
to help Africa move from economic dependence to economic self-reliance
by providing a modest, and it is not a big step, but it is the right
step, a modest improvement in our trade relations, modest trade
opportunities for Africa.
We are going to enable them to add many of their own concerns. It
goes without saying this is a regional world that has been struck by
both tremendous droughts and economic hardships as well as the health
problems associated with the AIDS epidemic. They need help. This bill
will help them help themselves.
This is also an opportunity for the United States because we are not
talking about international welfare. We are talking about benefiting
the United States as well. This is a market of 700 million people in
sub-Saharan Africa. To the extent that they are able to generate an
engine of economic growth on their own soil, it creates opportunities
and jobs for Americans. We need to pursue this specific course.
Now, my colleagues will hear people talk about transshipment and the
fact that Asian countries will merely use this as a means to evade
existing trade regulations and restrictions. Not true. This bill
contains very tough and stringent protections against transshipment. It
is movement in a right direction in another front, and that has to do
with workers' rights.
In fact, unlike the China bill that we will be spending a lot of time
on, this bill puts a lot of emphasis on the importance of workers'
rights: The right of association, the right to organize and bargain,
the right to be free of compulsory and forced labor, and minimum wage
standards, things that we believe in this country, workers' rights, are
an integral part of this bill. So it is a good bill on that ground.
Finally, I would like to comment on the Caribbean Basin Initiative
parity because it is a question of parity. It seems to me that the
Caribbean nations ought to have the same parity, be on the same
economic footing as Mexico. It is not a perfect arrangement, but
certainly if it is an imperfect arrangement that works for Mexico, it
ought to be an imperfect arrangement that works for the Caribbean
countries.
Again, we are in a situation where we are trying to help countries
who are poor, considered ``Third World countries'' move forward in a
noble economy. Certainly the Caribbean initiative provisions of this
bill makes sense on those grounds.
So at the end of the day what we have is a bill that is not a giant
step, but is a correct step that we ought to take to improve conditions
in poor Third World countries by providing them trade opportunities. I
believe we ought to vote for this bill, and I strongly support it.
Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Kolbe).
Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Chairman, this is an historic day. Today we are
sending a message to the nations of sub-Saharan Africa and to our
partners in Central America and the Caribbean. Today we open our arms
and embrace those nations in a new partnership, the hallmarks of which
are economic freedom, growth, and opportunity.
By passing this legislation, we renew the hope of prosperity for
millions of impoverished souls throughout the world. Under the
leadership of the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Crane), the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Archer), the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), the
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), the gentleman from Washington
(Mr. McDermott), the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Jefferson) among
many, we have successfully sailed through some dangerous holes to bring
forth a balanced bill with substantial benefits for some of the poorest
Nations in the world.
The people of these Nations have been wracked by civil war, by ethnic
conflict, by economic stagnation, every type of natural disaster that
is known. We all know this is true. When tragedy occurs, we know that
Americans respond generously.
But today, for the first time, we are doing something more. We are
knocking down quotas to the poor. We are taking active steps to help
build the strong economies and vibrant civil societies needed to
overcome instability, poverty, repression.
As we enter the 21st century, we must do all we can to bring
stability and growth to those parts of the world too often left behind
in the economic miracle that free markets and globalism have brought
elsewhere.
By passing this legislation, we are opening the door to the future.
We are giving hope to those who seek jobs, those who seek a better
life, those who seek freedom. In my mind, there can be no greater gift
we can give.
I urge my colleagues to join with us today, help these Nations and
these people to help themselves, and vote ``yes'' on H.R. 434. Let us
keep the light of hope alive.
Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
(Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise
and extend her remarks.)
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley), the ranking member of the Committee on
Rules for yielding me this time, and I thank those who have had the
vision to bring this series of legislative initiatives to the floor.
It was 1997 that I had the pleasure of joining the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Rangel), the ranking member of the Committee on Ways and
Means, and I thank his committee and the leadership of the committee,
to go to Africa and look leaders of respective African Nations in the
eye and tell them distinctly and directly that we, too, in America are
friends of Africa. We, too, in America recognize that Africa supports
the rule of law, that Africa recognizes the importance of
appropriations and foreign assistance, but they also recognize the
value and importance of what they have to offer on the international
trade stage.
Africa is a Nation or a continent with 53 Nations of 700 million plus
consumers and as well exporters. They are friends. I believe this bill,
which offers to America and the continent of Africa a reasoned
opportunity and a stage upon which to posture itself for the 21st
century, that we can begin to exchange and interchange. We can begin to
promote the very great cultural aspects of the continent as well as
what we have done before with as many, many resources.
I am gratified that an amendment that I had that included the
promotion of small and women-owned businesses to interact between the
United States and the continent has been included. I am delighted that
we also have challenged those businesses that will be doing trade with
the continent to as well develop a fund that will help in the
devastation of HIV/AIDS.
Am I disappointed that we did not get the vaccine language in that
would have helped us? Yes. Am I disappointed that we, in fact, have not
dealt with the issue of prescription drugs or HIV/AIDS? Yes.
I ask the Speaker of the House to help us move legislation dealing
with the devastation of AIDS in the continent and in India and China
along.

[[Page H2575]]

But this bill is about trade with people who want to do trade.
This bill has been long in coming, not like some bills that we are
getting ready to do in the month of May that has just popped up on us.
This bill has been worked by the corporate community, the African
continent, the nations, the presidents, the ambassadors, small
businesses, medium-size businesses.
Mr. Speaker, let me say it compliments the concept of the Caribbean
Basin Initiative which also includes friends of ours who have worked to
bring down the devastation of drugs.
These two bills give equal footing and equal standing to friends who
have long been our supporters and who have a strong nexus to this
country. Why not do business with friends? Why not say to our small
businesses that the culture of the Caribbean, the culture of the
African continent is to do business with small- and medium-sized
businesses? Why not say to the large corporations who have been
benefitting through diamonds and through gold and oil and gas, why not
say to them be a stakeholder in the continent and provide them with a
true trade relation and real investment to help them build schools and
hospitals and improve their quality of life.
This is a good bill. I ask my colleagues to support the rule, and I
thank those who have been in the leadership role on this bill. Let us
move forward and ensure that we develop and submit, Mr. Speaker, the
friendship that is long, long overdue. I ask support for the underlying
bill and the rule.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the passage of the Africa Growth
and Opportunity Act Conference Report. The time has come for this
historic legislation to become a reality. The legislation is good for
America and it is good for Africa.
For the first time in this country's history, this Congress will have
a structured framework for America to use trade and investment as an
economic development tool throughout Africa and the Caribbean.
Through this legislation, the United States seeks to facilitate
market-led economics in order to stimulate significant social and
economic development within the countries of sub-Saharan Africa. The
governments of Africa have articulated their eagerness to become fully
integrated into the global marketplace, as a means of economic
empowerment toward wealth creation.
I am pleased the House-Senate conference report includes amendments
which I offered during last year's consideration of the House bill. The
first provision encourages the development of small businesses in sub-
Saharan Africa, including the promotion of trade between the small
businesses in the United States and sub-Saharan Africa. This is an
important victory for small business enterprises in America that are
looking to expand remarkable trade opportunities in Africa.
Sixty percent of those that have died from AIDS are in sub-Saharan
Africa. It is staggering number. An estimated 16 million have died
since the 1980s. For these reasons, I am pleased that an additional
amendment I offered was incorporated included into the conference
report. The provision encourages U.S. businesses to provide assistance
to sub-Saharan African nations to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS and
consider the establishment of a Response Fund to coordinate such
efforts.
This is important because HIV/AIDS has now been declared a national
security threat. This provision reflects a national and international
consensus that we must do everything we can to eliminate the HIV/AIDS
disease.
Simply put, the bill changes how America does business with Africa.
It seeks to enhance U.S.-Africa policy to increase trade, investment
and economic independence. It seeks to move away from antiquated trade
policies between the United States and African nations.
The passage of this bill will usher in a new era of cooperation
between Americans and Africans working together as business partners.
Indeed, it will provide Africa a platform to integrate more fully into
the global economy.
Although this is the first such bill to specifically target the sub-
Saharan Africa, the market access provisions of this bill are sensible
and reasonable. The Africa trade initiative limits U.S. imports of
African apparel for eight years, starting the cap at 1.5 percent of
total U.S. imports and rising to 3.5 percent. This agreement is the
product of meaningful negotiations over a considerable period of time.
We should support this bipartisan effort.
Mr. Speaker, none of us can deny that trade and investment helped
rebuild Europe after World War II. Similarly, by opening U.S. markets
and encouraging receptive conditions for U.S. investments and exporters
abroad, we were able to assist Asia in diversifying their export bases.
As a result, they became prosperous consumers of American products. We
have trade relationships with many regions of the world. The time has
come to include Africa.
Elected leaders govern more than half of the sub-Saharan nations.
Many sub-Saharan countries have fully embraced open government and open
markets. Many are recording strong economic growth. This truly provides
a wonderful opportunity to have a true trade partnership with the
United States. Africa is seeking global recognition of its potential as
a trading power and welcomes our cooperative role in this process.
In addition, the Caribbean portion of the trade bill provides duty-
free and quota-free treatment to imports of apparel made from U.S.
fabric. The 25 Caribbean Basin nations will be permitted to send a
limited amount of apparel made from U.S. fabric produced in the region.
This aspect of the bill will allow the countries of Central America and
the Caribbean to compete effectively in the global economy. I should
not hasten to add that this is an important part of the conference
report that is also noteworthy in its own regard.
I salute my colleagues for their efforts in helping bring this
reasonable compromise to fruition. With an estimated 700 million
people--and consumers--the African market simply cannot be ignored. The
Africa Growth and Opportunity Act Conference Report will provide the
incentives for U.S. companies to create new infrastructures, projects,
power plants.
I thank my colleagues and I urge them to support the conference
report.

Announcement By The Speaker Pro Tempore

The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Upton). The gentleman will suspend. The
Chair notes the disturbance in the gallery in contravention of the laws
and the rules of the House.
The Sergeant At Arms will remove those persons responsible for the
disturbance and restore order to the gallery.
Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair would note that both sides have 18
minutes remaining.
Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Indiana (Mr. Roemer).
(Mr. ROEMER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, not as a free trader, but as a
fair trader in support of this agreement for the United States, for
Africa, and for the Caribbean nations. I did so for three simple
reasons. First of all, because, with the 48 Nations of sub-Saharan
Africa, all united behind this, we now do more trade with those 48
Nations in sub-Saharan Africa than we do with all the former Soviet
Union block nations combined. So it benefits the United States.
Secondly, as a fair trader, I am concerned about trade deficits and
trying to get trade surpluses. Before 1984, we had a trade deficit with
the Caribbean nations. Today in the year 2000, the United States of
America has a $2 billion trade surplus with the Caribbean nations, and
this will further benefit that surplus with fair trade.
Thirdly, I support this because there are 700 million to 800 million
people in sub-Saharan Africa that can buy U.S.-made products. That
means this agreement will support our goods made in our factories by
our workers and support our jobs.
So I think, Mr. Speaker, this is a good fair trade agreement, opening
up trade opportunities, doing more to increase our trade surplus and
providing American jobs.
Finally, the principal architect, a hero of mine, the Reverend Leon
Sullivan, the architect of the Sullivan Principles in South Africa
supports this trade agreement. He said in the speech at the University
of Notre Dame, let us give, and I paraphrase, give a hand. Let us give
a hand, not with a hammer, but for a carrot, to help other nations. But
primarily let us help our jobs right here in America support free
trade, support fair trade, support this agreement.
Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve my time.
Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).
Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the courtesy of the
gentleman from Massachusetts.
Mr. Speaker, as an American and a Member of Congress, I am troubled
by

[[Page H2576]]

our lack of support too often on the issues and problems of Africa.
Rising today to support the conference report for H.R. 434, the African
Growth and Opportunity Act, is a small but important step toward
strengthening the economies of Africa, the world's poorest continent,
and the Caribbean Basin.
I commend the leadership of the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel),
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Archer), the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Crane), the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott), and the
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Jefferson). There are a number of heroes
on both sides of the aisle moving this legislation forward. They are
concerned and have focused, not on the areas of the greatest wealth,
but on the areas of the greatest need.

{time} 1400

This bill will have negligible effect on American industries, as
trade with sub-Saharan Africa represents only 1 percent of total United
States exports and imports; and most of these were oil and natural
resources. However, this bill holds a huge potential upside for
American involvement, opportunity and engagement in countries that have
struggled for decades to overcome poverty.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act directs the creation of the
United States sub-Saharan Africa Free Trade Area, which will increase
trade between the United States and African countries. It also carries
with it powerful incentives for countries to fully comply with
international labor and transshipment standards.
Mr. Speaker, Africa is at a critical turning point in its social and
economic development. More than half the countries in sub-Saharan
Africa today are now governed by elected leaders.
This bill will provide much-needed economic growth and help all
African countries to raise their living standards. This bill will aid
those democratic governments by providing a solid foundation on which
they can build for the future.
Our Nation's ability or perhaps our will to provide direct economic
aide to Africa is limited; and this bill, however, in the long run is a
better alternative to those options. There is no real short cut to
prosperity and democratic society. Free markets and economic activity
are the key.
This bill allows us to directly participate with and help strengthen
these African and Caribbean Basin countries through global trade.
I believe it will ultimately be the best long-term investment for the
American taxpayer. I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the
conference report.
Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick).
(Ms. KILPATRICK asked and was given permission to revise and extend
her remarks.)
Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, today is a great day. As my colleagues
will remember in the 105th Congress, this House did pass this bill. The
Senate did not. I am happy that in the 106th Congress the Senate and
the House has now acted on the African Growth bill, and I commend the
gentleman from Illinois (Chairman Crane), the gentleman from Michigan
(Mr. Dingell), the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), and the other
leaders for making sure that this is brought to the House floor.
We all are a bit disturbed about the process that it did move
quickly; but if my colleagues will remember, it has been on the House
calendar in some form over the last couple of years. I was a cosponsor
then, and I am a cosponsor today of both the African Growth bill and
the Caribbean Initiative bill.
It is time. And I applaud this Congress and its leadership for making
it a reality and bringing it to the House floor. I visited Africa on
several occasions, as many of my Members know, many of us have. It is
trade that our countries need so the children can prosper in those
countries, so that the families can take care of themselves, and so
that, again, we grow American's jobs on this side of the Atlantic.
Mr. Speaker, over 300,000 jobs will be created with the signing of
this law in our country. Many more children in Africa and in the
Caribbean nations will find housing, health care, education services
that they do not now have because of the stimulation of the business
opportunities that this bill will provide.
It is a wonderful opportunity to grow not only in this country, not
only to satisfy and fortify our own communities and grow businesses,
but to do the same across the Atlantic and in the Caribbean.
I applaud the leadership. It is the right step to take. The bill, the
underlying bill must be passed. I urge my colleagues to pass the rule.
Yes, we could have spend more time on it, but pass the rule and then
vote for the underlying bill.
Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Massachusetts (Mr. Olver), a member from the Committee on
Appropriations.
Mr. OLVER. Mr. Speaker, everyone here recognizes that sustained
economic development in sub-Saharan Africa depends upon successful
trade with and foreign assistance to sub-Saharan Africa, but there is a
crisis in sub-Saharan Africa. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan
Africa now has close to 30 million men, women and children testing
positive with HIV/AIDS.
Mr. Speaker, the HIV/AIDS crisis threatens the whole workforce in
sub-Saharan Africa. Mr. Speaker, to have a successful trading
relationship with sub-Saharan Africa, it requires urgent and expedited
action to meet the HIV/AIDS crisis.
Less than 10 months ago when we debated this bill, the House added
language, which I am very pleased that was added, to place emphasis on
that, that addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis must be a major component of
our foreign policy in all of Africa; that significant progress in
preventing and treating HIV/AIDS is necessary to sustain a mutually-
beneficial trade arrangement there; and that that HIV/AIDS crisis is a
global threat that merits further attention through expanded public,
private, and joint efforts and through appropriate American
legislation. And, as I say, I am very pleased that that language was
retained.
When the bill went to the other side of the Capitol, language that
strengthened the capacity for individual countries to have the ability
to negotiate and determine the availability of pharmaceuticals and
health care for their citizens and, particularly, with respect to the
HIV/AIDS epidemic was added, and that language unfortunately has been
lost from the legislation.
Mr. Speaker, some 50 Members of the House supported that language and
asked that it be retained. I am very disappointed that the language is
not there, because it would have greatly expanded our capacity to deal
with AIDS in Africa, which dealing with that is critical if there is to
be a beneficial trading relationship.
Mr. Speaker, I do intend, in spite of the disappointment that we have
lost that strengthening language, the weakening of the bill in the
conference, to support the bill and the conference report today. I
simply want to remind my colleagues that as a sense of Congress we did
recognize a year ago that the HIV/AIDS crisis in sub-Sahara Africa is a
global threat and that we must greatly expand public, private, and
joint public-private efforts through and beyond legislation passed by
this House.
Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, how much time is remaining?
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Upton). The gentleman from Massachusetts
(Mr. Moakley) has 9 minutes remaining, and the gentleman from New York
(Mr. Reynolds) has 18 minutes remaining.
Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Dooley).
Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this
conference report.
For the past decade, the United States has been an island of economic
prosperity. We have seen the greatest amount of job creation, the
greatest growth in our GDP, and we have seen real wages growing twice
the rate of inflation. Times do not get much better than this.
When we are in this time of economic prosperity, it is important for
this country to reach out with a policy of economic engagement with
many countries throughout the world who are struggling. The bill we are
voting on today is clearly that policy.

[[Page H2577]]

We are reaching out to our neighbors in the Caribbean Basin, we are
reaching out to some countries and citizens of the world who are being
left behind in sub-Sahara Africa. It is this policy of economic
engagement which offers them some hope.
I had the chance to visit Africa late last year, and it was
distressing to see the human conditions in Africa and sub-Sahara
Africa. In almost every country in Africa and sub-Sahara Africa, with
the exception of one, their average life expectancy is declining
because of the ravages of AIDS.
When we see average per capita GDP, annual per capita GDP that is
only a few hundred dollars a year, we can understand the quality of
life these folks are being denied. The policy we are voting on today is
one which is going to be an improvement in that. We are going to be
engaging economically, which is going to help to accelerate and enhance
the development of their economy and improve their standard of living.
I would say, though, I think we came up short. We should have done
more in terms of Africa, and I would also even say in the Caribbean
nation initiative. It is time for us to set aside a failed policy of
isolating Cuba for the last 40 years and welcome them in as we do every
other Caribbean basin. It is time for us to embrace a policy of
economic engagement with Cuba, as we are doing in Africa, as we are
doing in China, as we are doing in Vietnam; and we will make greater
progress in all those areas with advancing not only the economic
interests of the working men and women in this country but advancing
the cause of human rights and democracy throughout the world.
Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Ohio (Mrs. Jones).
(Mrs. JONES of Ohio asked and was given permission to revise and
extend her remarks.)
Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise this afternoon in support of
H.R. 434.
I come from the State of Ohio, the great State of Ohio, the city of
Cleveland; and I am proud to rise in support of this piece of
legislation. It is time that we allow the African countries, sub-
Saharan, and Caribbean countries the opportunity to engage in trade
with our own country.
Now is the time, when our country enjoys a strong economy. Now is the
time, as we open our global markets to others that we open it to Africa
and the Caribbean. Now is the time, when our children travel across the
world, and I think about my son Mervyn, who is 16 years old, who has
been to South Africa and had a chance to ride along the Zambezi River,
to visit Victoria Falls, for us to engage in a trade opportunity for
Africa. Now is the time, because our children, as we think about our
country and we say we are diverse and the color of the faces are black
and brown and yellow and red and white, that our children have the
opportunity to engage in business with those who are black and brown
and yellow and white as well.
But, more importantly, now is the time, since we have had the
opportunity to vacation in the Caribbean, to go on safaris in Africa,
to enjoy the fruits of all of their labor, that we give them an
opportunity to enjoy the trade that can come about as a result of trade
agreements with Africa and this country and the Caribbean and this
country. Now is the time. We cannot wait.
As our economy is strong, and everyone is willing to open their
doors, let us say to Africa, let us say to the Caribbean, we are ready.
We have been doing all these other things together, but now is the time
to engage in a real trade agreement.
I thank the gentleman for the opportunity to be heard, and I ask my
colleagues to support the rule and the underlying bill.
Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume
to close.
We have had an opportunity to bring before this House two rules that
really bring the bottom line, and that is that the will of the House in
its last vote said, at 301 to 114, let us move through consideration of
the rule today and, ultimately, let us get under way with the debate of
this legislation.
So as we look at where we are, we have Republicans and Democrats,
liberals and conservatives, rural and urban America coming together in
this House to put together legislation that has taken a great deal of
time. All of the authors deserve a great deal of credit. The next hour
of debate will finalize the debate on this legislation, and I urge
passage of this rule.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the
previous question on the resolution.
The previous question was ordered.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

{time} 1415

Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 489, I call up
the conference report on the bill (H.R. 434) to authorize a new trade
and investment policy for sub-Sahara Africa, and ask for its immediate
consideration.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Upton). Pursuant to House Resolution
489, the conference report is considered as having been read.
(For conference report and statement, see prior proceedings of the
House of today.)
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) and
the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson) each will control 30
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman).
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the time for
debate on this conference report be equally divided among and
controlled by the chairman and ranking minority members of the
Committee on International Relations and the Committee on Ways and
Means.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.

General Leave

Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
on the conference report now pending.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that at the close of
my remarks the balance of my time be yielded to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, and
that he be permitted to yield that time to other Members.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the conference
report on the Trade and Development Act of 2000, H.R. 434, which
expands trade and investment with the countries of sub-Saharan Africa
and the Caribbean.
First reported out of the Committee on International Relations in
February of last year, it was then approved by the House on July 16 on
a vote of 234-163.
I take pleasure in joining the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr.
Gejdenson); the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), the subcommittee
chairman; the gentleman from Texas (Chairman Archer) of the Committee
on Ways and Means; and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), the
ranking member of that committee, in supporting this measure, the first
major trade bill that we will be sending to the President since
Congress approved U.S. participation in the World Trade Organization.
While I would have preferred more public debate and a slower, more
orderly process than the one being used to bring this legislation to
the House floor today, it is important to our national interests that
this measure be enacted to meet the long-term development needs of the
sub-Saharan African region and to put our overall relationship with
those countries on a solid, long-term foundation.

[[Page H2578]]

The Committee on International Relations has taken a leading role
regarding the investment and development aspects of this bill. I am
pleased that agreement has now been reached with the Senate on how we
can best promote the activities of the Overseas Private Investment
Corporation and the Export-Import Bank in sub-Saharan Africa and that
we can ensure the full participation of all of those nations which have
taken steps to reform their economies and to promote private sector
activities.
The trade provisions in this measure, Mr. Speaker, have only recently
been finalized, and I will let the gentleman from Texas (Chairman
Archer) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Crane), the subcommittee
chairman, fully explain those provisions.
I would only observe that very careful monitoring and oversight will
be needed by the Congress to make certain that preferential trade
treatment for apparel imports from the Caribbean does not further
displace our American workers.
And toward this same goal, I will work with my colleagues on the
Committee on Ways and Means to make certain that before any benefit is
granted under this act a beneficiary country is enforcing all the
relevant standards of the International Labor Organization's Convention
for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor.
This conference report is, however, worthy of the support of my
colleagues insofar as it provides essential support to many African
nations who are only now starting to make the economic reforms that are
so sorely needed for them to become part of the global economy.
Barriers to foreign investment are coming down, and investor-friendly
laws are being written.
It is my understanding that two-thirds of the African nations have
adopted significant macroeconomic policy reforms. Enactment of this
measure will make certain that trade and investment will grow between
us and that these reforms can be enhanced and protected.
In brief, this measure encourages trade, not aid. It will bolster
American economies. It will minimize the need for humanitarian and
disaster assistance and will stimulate the private sector throughout
sub-Saharan Africa.
In the final hours of the conference proceedings, a number of Senate
amendments were dropped, including an AIDS drugs provision, trade
adjustment assistance for farmers, and the provision regarding sugar
imports.
On the other hand, I am pleased that a number of issues in contention
between the two bodies were retained, including a provision regarding
the so-called carousel retaliation trade provision, a special
agriculture negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative,
as well as a provision that retains the preferential trade rights of
firms in Israel to ship their products into the U.S. through CBI
eligible countries.
In sum, Mr. Speaker, this bill is good for us, for our neighbors, and
for our friends in Africa. Our Nation is the largest recipient of
Africa's exports but is only the fifth largest exporter to Africa.
Enactment of this measure will help to make certain that the new
economic realities of Africa are going to be reflected in a new U.S.
Government approach to that continent.
In the words of the dean of the African diplomatic community, ``This
legislation is designed to help African countries gradually shift from
dependence on foreign assistance to an approach based more on the
private sector and market initiatives. The vast majority of African
countries have undertaken political and economic reforms on their own
in recent years. As such,'' the dean stated, ``this bill merely
continues an approach that has been initiated by Africans themselves.''
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that my time be controlled by
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), who has done so much in this
area and so many others in our committee.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Connecticut?
There was no objection.
Mr. GEJDENSON. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to commend the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman), the chairman of my committee; the
gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), the subcommittee chairman; the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Archer); the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Crane); the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Jefferson); the gentleman
from Michigan (Mr. Levin); and the gentleman from Washington (Mr.
McDermott), but particularly the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel)
who has played such an enormous role in this effort and has been
particularly, I think, focused on the needs of every Member.
We all represent districts with our own issues before us. The
gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) has done an incredible job pulling
this bill through. He has also paid attention to the rank and file
Members on both sides of the aisle, and I want to express publicly my
appreciation for him and for what his staff has done.
America has led the world in so many areas, but for lots of reasons
historically we have failed to do what we have to do in Africa.
America responded proudly in Kosovo and other places, in former
Yugoslavia. But in Africa, 600,000 to 800,000 people in almost a blink
of an eye were annihilated in Africa without any response.
Maybe we were waiting for the colonial powers to take the lead as
they have claimed they would take for so long. And maybe it was because
we did not have a NATO and other assets to respond to. But we are
running out of excuses. And this is a very important, maybe not as
large a step as many of us had hoped for, but this is a very important
step of America for fulfilling its leadership globally.
The almost half a billion people who live in sub-Saharan Africa live
in some of the most difficult circumstances on our planet. It is
irresponsible for us to spend so much time on almost every other
continent and not face up to the realities from health care, from war,
from economic deprivation that occur in Africa.
Today we take one small step. Because we all live on this planet, we
all share the same inner-human responsibilities. I am proud to have
played a very small role in this effort.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that the House today is considering the
conference agreement on H.R. 434, the Trade and Development Act of
2000.
This legislation represents the culmination of better than 5 years of
bipartisan work to strengthen U.S. trade relations with the sub-Saharan
African countries and with our Caribbean Basin neighbors.
Sub-Saharan Africa is home to more than 10 percent of the world's
population, and yet it has undergone, while a quiet and persistent
evolution towards democracy and free markets, it is still de minimus
virtually in terms of its access to our market and our exports to South
Africa.
It provides a whale of an opportunity, over 700 million population in
48 countries. Twenty-six of those 48 countries, incidentally, have held
democratic elections, and 31 of them have embarked on significant
economic reforms.
Our conference agreement encourages the development of an African
textile and apparel industry and regional integration through the
provision of duty-free and quota-free treatment of up to 3.5 percent of
the U.S. apparel imports over the 8 years of the bill for apparel
articles wholly assembled in Africa and from regional fabric or fabric
from any country in the case of lesser developed countries.
As the sponsor of the African Growth and Opportunity Act in the
House, I believe that its enactment will establish sub-Saharan Africa
as a priority in U.S. trade policy but, more importantly, will
encourage countries in that region to redouble their economic and
political reforms.
The first piece of legislation that I introduced when I became
chairman of the trade subcommittee back in 1995 was the Caribbean Basin
Trade Partnership Act, and that is an essential component of this
package, too.
I think we are all aware now that when we passed NAFTA, while it was
a

[[Page H2579]]

decided positive initiative in the right direction, one of the
unforeseen consequences was handicapping our Caribbean trading
partners.
In 1983, Ronald Reagan was the one that provided the initiative to
try to give those Caribbean countries the opportunity for economic
access here, and it was with the objective that if we promote that kind
of economic growth and development, it helps to advance democratic
institutions. And it worked. It was absolutely correct.
But we did, with NAFTA, we did handicap our Caribbean trading
partners. Purchasing about 70 percent of their imports from the U.S.,
or roughly $18.5 billion annually, the Caribbean Basin countries
already represent a larger export market for U.S. goods than all of
China, with one-fifth of the world's population.
We are following through on our commitment to CBI region to make up
for the disruptions those countries have experienced under NAFTA and
also as a result of the devastating hurricanes that they suffered.
In the end, we are going to be successful in moving forward on trade
when we hit this good, solid, bipartisan stride. And it is so pleasing,
because Republicans cannot claim the highest priority with regard to
the commitment of free trade, it was Democrats that historically were
the free traders until after World War II, and Republicans were the
protectionists who started lifting the blinders after World War II.
But we do have good bipartisan support and it is advancing American
interests and it is in the interest of Republicans, Democrats,
Independents, all of us combined.
I cannot thank my good colleagues on both sides of the aisle enough.
I am talking specifically of my distinguished ranking minority member
on the committee, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel); but the
gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott); the gentleman from Louisiana
(Mr. Jefferson); and on our side, the gentleman from California (Mr.
Royce); the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman); the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Kolbe); the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Archer); and
especially the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hastert), our Speaker.
We have moved our country forward into a new, more peaceful and
secure relationship with neighboring countries in this hemisphere and
with nations in Africa, and many of whom are facing enormous obstacles
to a better life. But they are headed in the right direction with the
advancement of this legislation.
I urge all of my colleagues to cast an aye vote.
The first piece of legislation I introduced when I became Chairman of
the Trade Subcommittee in 1995, the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership
Act, is an essential element of this package. This bill is aimed at
promoting sustainable, trade solutions to the problems facing poor
nations on our hemisphere.
When Congress implemented NAFTA in 1994, there was the totally
unintentional result that the CBI region was put at a disadvantage with
respect to Mexico, particularly in the all-important textile and
apparel sector, where Mexico began siphoning off business and
investment from our CBI neighbors.
Purchasing about 70 percent of their imports from the United States,
or about $18.5 billion annually, Caribbean Basin countries already
represent a larger export market for U.S. goods and services than
China! H.R. 984 will accelerate the growth in U.S. exports to CBI
countries by building on the highly successful Caribbean Basin
Initiative, which has tripled exports to the region since it was passed
in 1983.
Economic dislocation and distress in these small countries on our
borders means only one thing for U.S. cities and towns--declining
export markets, mounting illegal immigration and intensified drug
trafficking. The United States has poured $19 billion in foreign
assistance into the Caribbean Basin region since 1980, in order to stem
the forces of Civil War and political instability in our own backyard.
We are following through on our commitment to CBI region to make up
for the disruptions these countries experienced under NAFTA and as a
result of devastating hurricanes.
In the end House conferees came to a meeting of minds with our Senate
colleagues who had pushed for years for a protectionist, U.S. fabric
only bill. While the House would have favored uniform rules for trade
in North America, consistent with the NAFTA agreement, the bill does
vary from this model. But our core objective of promoting trade
expansion and helping to create a dynamic market in the CBI for U.S.
exports was preserved. The bill looks toward the day when we can embark
on mutually advantageous free trade agreements with these countries.
It is my firm belief that the couple of isolated, protectionist rules
insisted on by my Senate colleagues in order to have a bill will not
stand the test of time. When the initial success of this bill begins to
be felt, and the large scale export opportunities for U.S. industry and
workers become obvious, we will back asking for your support to go
further. But this is a good start and at the same time Members can be
assured we're not opening up any flood gates.
I am convinced this bill will lay the ground work for returning to an
ambitious trade policy under a new President who can help us bridge our
differences in the House on trade negotiating authority.
For in the end, we are only successful moving forward on trade when
we hit a bipartisan stride. And as I look across the aisle at my good
friends Charlie Rangel, Bill Jefferson, and Jim McDermott, and on this
side to Ed Royce and Jim Kolbe, I want to say we put together a
historic coalition on this one. Speaker Hastert played a key role.
We've moved our country forward, into a new, more peaceful and secure
relationship with neighboring countries in this hemisphere and with
nations in Africa, many of whom are facing enormous obstacles to a
better life.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I was listening to my friend, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Crane), and I am reminded that not only was this a
bipartisan issue in this session of the Congress, but at first hearings
that we had, Speaker Newt Gingrich testified with Jack Kemp and Andrew
Young and Leon Sullivan and so many people came, fine Americans,
Republicans and Democrats and liberals and conservatives, in support of
opening up trade relationships with Africa.
It must make all of us feel proud today, as Members of the Congress,
to be able to say that we were part of this initiative so that these
smaller countries that are striving for better democracies, for
improvement in the quality of health and education of their children,
that have met with famine and drought, that know and see and face
poverty and disease, that America is not treating them just as a basket
case but reaching out and trying to transfer technology, create an
atmosphere for investment, and to be able to say, commercially
speaking, that we treat each other with the mutual respect that is so
necessary for great nations, big or small, to work together for their
constituencies and, indeed, for a better world.

{time} 1430

To have this coupled with the Caribbean Basin bill, that it was
Ronald Reagan, as the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Crane) pointed out,
that worked with Democrats to fashion a package so that we would not
just consider the Caribbean as a bunch of just exciting songs but that
we could see that these were people with struggling democracies that
were throwing off the yoke of colonialism, that they wanted so badly to
be treated with respect from their giant sister nation, the United
States of America, and as a result of this to be able to see the
industry that was starting there and the tremendous setbacks that they
had as a result of us going into the North American Free Trade
Agreement.
So President Clinton made a commitment that we would give them parity
and Republicans and Democrats on the Committee on Ways and Means, the
Committee on International Relations, working together and having
Speaker Hastert to come across the other side of the Capitol and
meeting with the leader on that side, and coming together to keep this
fragile package together, like most Members I wish we did not have to
expedite this. I wish we had had more time with the rule. I wish we had
had more time in the conference and certainly more time for Members to
truly understand that they are playing a very, very important role, a
historic role, in cementing the relationship that this country will
have with these developing countries. I am proud to be an American, so
proud to be a Member of this Congress, and proud to be working with
Members on both sides of the aisle.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H2580]]

Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this conference report. Last
summer, in July, the House understood the importance of doing what we
can to encourage greater trade between the United States and Africa. We
acted by passing this historic Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. We
now have a chance to send this bill to the President's desk for his
signature and open a long overdue era of new relations between the
United States and Africa, one that recognizes the strong economic
potential of a continent of 800 million people.
What this bill does is to build a partnership between America and
those African nations which are committed to reforming their economies
in a way that allows for America to sell more goods and services. In
short, this legislation treats trade as a two-way street. Already the
United States exports some $6 billion of goods and services to Africa
each year. Some 100,000 American jobs depend on this trade, which
should grow under this legislation.
Few Americans probably realize that West Africa is approaching the
Persian Gulf as a source of oil for the United States. This is but one
example of Africa's growing economic significance to the U.S.
Fortunately, many African countries have been moving toward greater
economic openness over the last decade, ditching the African socialism
that wreaked economic havoc. With this bill we will be encouraging this
trend and trade. The trade that occurs with America should expand and
should expand significantly.
I think if we can get beyond the headlines, Africa has the potential.
I have seen dynamic entrepreneurs in Africa. I have seen vibrant and
prosperous African businesses, businesses which want to do business
with America. That is their message. They say we are tired of doing
business with the Europeans. We want to do business with Americans.
Let us take advantage of that. Let us get America into the African
economic game. This legislation is good for America, and it is good for
Africa.
This is not as powerful a bill in some ways as we passed through the
House last July. In conference, the Senate demanded additional
restrictions on trade with Africa; and in my view, this is unfortunate.
We would have liked trade with Africa to be regulated more by markets
and less by bureaucrats, especially when we are dealing with the
world's poorest continent. That would have been better for American
consumers. American exporters would have been advantaged more by that
and Africa would have been advantaged more by that.
This conference report is a clear and important step in the right
direction toward greater trade between the United States and Africa,
and it moves us away from the odd policy of giving aid to Africa with
one hand and shutting out what it manages to produce with the other.
Let us move Africa away from aid to economic self-sufficiency. That is
the spirit of this bill.
We need to be frank. There are many Members of Congress who have
worked on this legislation, and I want to thank the chairman of the
Committee on International Relations, the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Gilman); as well as the Speaker of the House, the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Hastert); the chairman of the Committee on Ways and
Means, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Archer). I want to also thank my
cosponsors of this legislation, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Crane), the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), and the gentleman
from Washington (Mr. McDermott). We want to thank the ranking member on
the Subcommittee on Africa, the gentleman from New Jersey, (Mr. Payne)
as well. We have done this work frankly with a sense of urgency,
urgency because Africa is on the brink of permanent economic
marginalization.
The global economy is changing in dizzying ways. Unless we help bring
Africa into the world economy and do it now, Africa will never develop.
It will be hopelessly left behind, and Americans are fooling themselves
if we think we could ignore an undeveloped Africa in which war and
disease were commonplace.
These problems have come to America already. Let us do something to
help Africa help itself and help America.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 434, the Africa
Growth and Opportunity Act. I join with the rest of my colleagues who
are original cosponsors of this bill and appreciate their support, the
persons involved from the Committee on International Relations and the
Committee on Ways and Means.
We have been dealing with this bill for some time. Last summer it was
passed as H.R. 1432. We have been talking about this issue.
Finally, I am pleased that this initiative is finally moving through
the House. As the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Africa and as a
member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, let me first
assure the colleagues of mine who are concerned about labor that this
bill will cause no American worker to lose their jobs. This is a
bipartisan bill which the conferees have been meeting with and
discussing on a regular basis.
I am pleased also to mention that certain labor standards which our
committee dealt with, including the right to organize and the right to
bargain collectively, the right to set minimum wages and the minimum
work hour requirements, are in this bill; and so many people who felt
that there would be an open end we have put in safeguards for those
folks in the region.
This is a stark and exciting occasion. Today, I stand before Members
to say that the Africa trade bill will improve the lives of many of the
African people on the continent. Imagine that as we approach the new
millennium a partnership has been forged, a partnership that is not
based on dependency; but it is a partnership that possesses great
opportunities for both the United States and for Africa.
I must also applaud the Africa diplomatic corps for their constant
and unwavering faith, that they kept coming and standing together
united as a real force. I think that they have now become an effective
force here on Capitol Hill to hear the problems of sub-Sarahan Africa
discussed here, and I would like to compliment them.
This bill will make improvements in the telecommunications sector,
providing enhanced satellite and educational and scientific
opportunities. Currently it takes an average of 4.6 years to get a
phone in Africa, and almost double that time in some parts of sub-
Sarahan Africa. This bill, H.R. 434, will help sub-Sarahan African
countries by reinforcing the positive development taking place in
Africa. Among other things, it will enhance market access for African
goods and services. It will provide duty-free, quota-free benefits to
apparel made in Africa from U.S. yarn; duty-free benefits to apparel
made in Africa; promote multilateral debt relief for the poorest of the
poor countries in Africa, the HIPC countries; open free markets which
would otherwise be closed in Africa. It also directs the Overseas
Private Investment Corporation, OPIC, to create a $150 million equity
fund to assist in overseas private investment and also a $500 million
infrastructure fund which will assist these countries in developing
their infrastructure.
It increases authority and flexibility to provide assistance under
the Development Fund for Africa, the DFA bill. So there are so many
benefits that this bill has in it. It will continually go on, and it
will move countries ahead. It also will establish a U.S.-African
economic forum to facilitate annual high-level discussions about
bilateral and multilateral trade opportunities. So this bill is very
important.
President Clinton mentioned it in his State of the Union address in
his partnership for growth and opportunity as he talked about a new era
for Africa.
So as I conclude my remarks, let me just say that I become disturbed
when we say that there are no national interests of the U.S. in Africa.
A foreign trade policy that ignores a sub-Sarahan Africa with its many
countries is really a distorted policy. This bill recognizes that U.S.
trade, aid, and investment are all important foreign policy goals. The
countries in sub-Sarahan Africa have joined the new World Trade
Organization, and we are helping them to share its benefits and to meet
their requirements. So, therefore, once again, I ask for unanimous
support for this.

[[Page H2581]]

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to our distinguished
colleague, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Ballenger).
Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, I want today to support H.R. 434. The
Caribbean Basin Initiative was proposed in 1982 by President Reagan as
a way of promoting economic revitalization and trade expansion
opportunities for countries in the Caribbean Basin after peace had
arrived. Now, more so than ever, economic revitalization is needed, and
this is particularly true of the many countries that were ravaged by
Hurricanes Mitch and George a little more than a year ago.
As many of my colleagues know, my wife and I have been involved with
various humanitarian and charitable activities in Central America and
the Caribbean for the better part of 30 years; and during this time it
has become increasingly clear to me that what these countries need most
in the way of economic stabilization is investment in free trading
opportunities. Providing more open trade access to our markets would
not only aid the ailing economies of these countries but would help
ensure greater political stability as well.
Mr. Speaker, the most controversial aspect of H.R. 434 has revolved
around textiles and apparel. Being from North Carolina, these
industries are particularly important to me, as are the jobs that make
up these industries. My particular concern regarding this legislation
has been to ensure that textiles and apparel produced in countries in
Africa and the Caribbean Basin region are made of U.S. materials, if
they are to receive favorable trade benefits. Without these
protections, I voted against this bill last summer.
According to most textile and fiber manufacturers that I have heard
from, the conference report on H.R. 434 takes necessary steps to ensure
that U.S. fiber, yarn, and cotton manufacturing industries are
sufficiently protected.
Mr. Speaker, I believe this bill would greatly benefit the economies
of the Caribbean Basin and Africa while protecting domestic jobs, and I
urge its passage.
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Levin), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Trade
of the Committee on Ways and Means.
(Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Rangel) for yielding me this time and for being unyielding when it
comes to this legislation, with many other colleagues, and I look at
all of them.
There are core labor standards in this new preferential trade
program. They are built into the structure of the generalized system of
preferences, GSP. The present provisions of GSP are strengthened in the
language as it applies to African nations. In order for them to receive
the benefits under this bill, the U.S. executive must assess in
providing benefits for any African country whether it, and I quote,
``has established or is making considerable progress towards
establishing,'' end of quotes, protection of core labor standards,
including the right to organize and bargain collectively, as the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) has mentioned.

{time} 1445

As to the enhanced benefits granted under CBI, the GSP provisions are
strengthened still further. As a result of an amendment in the Senate,
our executive must use, in deciding whether to grant enhanced benefits
to any CBI country, the same standard as applied, for example, to
intellectual property rights, that is, the extent to which a nation is
adhering to internationally recognized core worker rights.
Further, as not provided in the original House bill, the enhanced
benefits may be eliminated or revoked in the event a country retreats
in these vital areas. It is also noteworthy that added to the GSP
system is the Harkin amendment, requiring that countries implement
their commitments to eliminate the worst forms of child labor.
The present GSP system, and it is not well understood, I am afraid,
has been used, suspending GSP benefits due to worker rights violations
in Burma, Liberia, Maldives, Mauritania, Sudan, Syria and Pakistan. The
benefits of four other nations have been suspended, then reinstated
once labor reforms have been made. GSP has been used in the CBI region
to bring about improvements in protection of core labor standards.
Some will argue, and they do most sincerely, that these provisions
are not strong enough because compliance should be immediate and it
should be complete. I believe that a reasonable transition period makes
good sense, and there is no way to mathematically define what is
complete. The executive in our country will always have some
discretion, and it is up to those of us who care about this issue in
the public and the private sector to vigorously pursue efforts to
implement these provisions.
Today, the administration has sent a letter to several of us
indicating ``a series of steps to ensure effective implementation of
existing labor-related provisions of CBI, as well as of the enhanced
provisions.'' Included is an important step of directing the USTR to
create a new Office of Trade and Labor headed by an assistant trade
representative. Mr. Speaker, I will include for the Record that letter.
Building labor provisions into rules of trade and competition between
nations is something that I believe in passionately. It is necessarily
a step-by-step activist process, tailoring those efforts to the
particular circumstances at hand.
In NAFTA there were no enforcement provisions covering the
commitments on core labor standards. I opposed it. In this case,
importantly, as to Africa and as to CBI, there is enforcement, the
power of unilateral action by the United States, whether to grant these
benefits, and, if granted, whether to suspend enhanced benefits.
These are important steps forward on this vital issue, as part, and I
deeply share the beliefs of the sponsors, of a necessary effort to
increase trade, and, yes, competition, with African and Caribbean
nations in the U.S., and to trying, and this is so important, to
increase the partnership between the U.S. and these nations, always
keeping in sharp focus the best interests of American workers and
producers.
There has been indeed a long and diligent effort to follow that path
in this legislation. It strives to expand trade and to pay attention to
the expanded issues of trade. As a result, I rise in support.

The White House,

Washington, May 3, 2000.
Hon. Sander M. Levin,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Representative Levin: Thank you for your recent letter
to the President regarding the African Growth and Opportunity
Act and Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) Enhancement
legislation, H.R. 434. The Administration strongly supports
enactment of this bill, which will strengthen our partnership
with these two important regions and provide mutual economic
benefits for years to come. We appreciate your efforts to
expedite agreement on the remaining outstanding issues in the
legislation, and hope Congress will conclude its work and
pass a final version of the bill soon.
A closer relationship with the CBI countries should be
accompanied by progress in other trade-related areas. In
particular, we hope to see CBI countries make continued
progress in implementing internationally-recognized worker
rights, and we are prepared to undertake a series of steps to
ensure effective implementation of existing labor-related
provisions of CBI as well as the enhanced provisions of H.R.
434.
First, to underscore the importance of trade and labor
issues and to improve policy formation and coordination with
respect to them, the President is directing the United States
Trade Representative (USTR), contingent upon necessary
appropriations, to create a new Office of Trade and Labor.
Headed by the newly-created position of Assistant United
States Trade Representative for Trade and Labor, the office
will be responsible for aspects of trade policy-making that
involve core labor standards considerations. It will endeavor
to handle these complex, interdisciplinary issues in an
integrated fashion.
Second, we will work to increase the resources available to
this office to fulfill its mission. In the President's FY
2001 Budget, funds were requested to hire a Labor Specialist
in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to work on
issues involving the relationship between trade and labor. A
major responsibility of this staff member would be to analyze
information on worker rights developed in connection with the
expanded reporting described below. This information would
help to form the basis, under

[[Page H2582]]

various trade statutes, for the development of
recommendations to continue, suspend, or withdraw benefits in
response to the labor rights situation in particular
industries and countries.
Third, also as part of the FY 2001 Budget, the President
requested additional resources to strengthen our capacity to
monitor worker rights and working conditions overseas as well
as provide capacity building assistance to countries seeking
to implement and enforce core labor standards. We anticipate
assigning additional labor attaches to the CBI region and
Africa as part of this broader initiative to assess the
institutional capacity of countries to implement core labor
standards and provide them with technical assistance suited
to their needs. These officers would also serve as a point of
contact for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative for
the purpose of assessing compliance with the standards
required to receive and maintain benefits under our trade
laws.
Fourth, the President is instructing that reporting on
compliance with the worker rights provisions of the GSP
program be expanded. Section 504 of the Trade Act of 1974
requires the President to submit an annual report to Congress
on the status of internationally-recognized worker rights
within GSP beneficiary countries. It has been our practice to
include this report in the State Department's annual human
rights report. To give this reporting greater emphasis, the
President is directing the State Department, in collaboration
with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the
Department of Labor, to undertake an expanded analysis of the
legal framework and implementation in GSP beneficiary
countries of internationally-recognized worker rights,
including the right of association, the right to organize and
bargain collectively, the prohibition against any form of
forced or compulsory labor, a minimum age for the employment
of children, and acceptable working conditions.
The FY 2001 Budget includes a request for additional staff
members for the Department of State and the Department of
Labor for the purpose of improving reporting on worker rights
conditions and, in particular, institutional capacity
problems for which additional technical assistance might be
appropriate. Among the issues the expanded reports could
address are; whether the rights are recognized in the
country's constitution laws, or regulations; whether the
union registration procedures are fair and expeditious;
whether there is a minimum wage law and laws or regulations
governing occupational health and safety (with regard to
workers generally or minors specifically), whether any
persons or industries are excluded from any of these rights;
whether child labor exists and what is being done to
eliminate it; and what means exist for implementation and
enforcement. Other issues relating to implementation that
could be addressed include: the procedures for obtaining
authorization to organize; the number of unions and unionized
workers; whether and how workers are informed of their rights
and employers of their obligations; whether and how the
government assists workers to exercise their rights; whether
and how the government investigates allegations of
infringement of worker rights and penalizes violators;
whether the government can prohibit strikes under certain
conditions; and whether there are government inspections of
workplaces to ensure compliance with labor laws such as those
related to health and safety, minimum wages, and child labor.
Fifth, the Administration has used its authority to
partially withdraw a country's GSP benefits in instances in
which the country does not meet the criteria set out in 19
USC Sec. Sec. 2461 and 2462, but a complete withdrawal of
benefits is not deemed appropriate. This approach has two
benefits: (1) it enables the U.S. Trade Representative to
focus on sectors in which there are particularly
serious enforcement problems; and (2) it serves to
encourage the country involved to improve its compliance
by not unduly penalizing the country for its problems. The
Administration intends to continue to use this approach
when necessary to enforce the GSP program and promote
compliance. Partial revocation can penalize sectors that
have failed to meet their obligations while recognizing a
government's good faith attempts to meet its commitments
in general. It should also be emphasized that flexibility
in this matter makes it possible to avoid unnecessarily
penalizing firms that meet or exceed the standards set out
for extension and maintenance of benefits. It is our
expectation that with the additional reporting
requirements and personnel available to handle these
issues, we will have more information and greater
flexibility to respond even more effectively to any
problems that arise in a particular workplace, sector or
country. At this time, any interested party may submit a
request to the GSP Subcommittee of the Trade Policy Staff
Committee that additional articles be granted GSP benefits
or that GSP benefits be withdrawn, suspended or limited.
Under USTR regulations, any person may request to have a
country's GSP status reviewed. The information required by
federal regulations will be amended specifically to
include compliance with labor rights in the beneficiary
country.
Finally, we stand prepared to expand our assistance to
countries wishing to improve their institutional capacity to
implement core labor standards. Last year, in response to the
Administration's request, Congress approved $20 million for
the creation of a new arm of the International Labor
Organization (ILO) to provide technical assistance to
countries seeking to implement the ILO's landmark Declaration
of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. In addition,
the President's $10 million request for the Department of
Labor to provide technical assistance on the design and
implementation of labor standards and social safety net
programs in developing countries. These activities are an
essential component of a larger strategy to ensure that the
benefits of expanded international trade and investment are
shared as broadly as possible within and among nations. We
are prepared to apply a share of these resources to the
development of cooperative programs with our Caribbean and
African partners as a means of helping them to comply with
the requirements of our trade preference programs and their
ILO commitments. This year, in addition to requesting a
continuation of funding for the ILO's new arm, we have
proposed doubling the Department of Labor's technical
assistance program from $10 million to $20 million and
increasing by $100 million our efforts to eliminate abusive
child labor through the ILO and direct bilateral assistance.
We urge you and your colleagues to support these requests as
a key part of our efforts to expand trade and investment
while improving respect for worker rights around the world.
And, thank you for your letter. I hope that these thoughts
are responsive to the issues you raised.
Sincerely,
John Podesta,
Chief of Staff to the President.

Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), the distinguished vice chairman of the
Committee on International Relations, who also serves as the Chairman
of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
(Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, this Member rises in strong support of
this legislation. It consists of four core bills, all of which are
incorporated here, and I am pleased and proud to be an original sponsor
of those four bills.
Mr. Speaker, with regard to Africa, this Member believes that
expanding trade and foreign investment in Africa is the most effective
way to promote sustainable economic development on that continent. By
providing African nations incentives and opportunities to compete in
the global economy, and by reinforcing African nations' own efforts to
institute market-oriented economic reforms, this legislation will help
African countries create jobs, opportunities, and futures for their
citizens. Only through trade and investment will Africans fully develop
the skills, institutions, and infrastructure to successfully
participate in the global marketplace and significantly raise their
standard of living.
However, it is true that trade liberalization alone cannot remedy all
of Africa's woes. That is why our overall strategy for sub-Saharan
Africa is a combination of trade and aid working together. It those who
in the past have criticized the Africa Growth and Development Act,
charging it does not provide sufficient and immediate aid to Africa's
poor or for protecting Africa's environment, this Member would remind
those colleagues that just over a year and a half ago the Congress
enacted and the President signed into law the bill entitled The Africa:
Seeds of Hope bill.
This food security initiative, which this Member introduced,
refocused U.S. resources on African agriculture and rural development,
and is aimed at helping the 76 percent of sub-Saharan African people
who are small farmers. This law, along with other current U.S. aid
programs, such as the Development Fund for Africa, are the aid
components of our African development strategy. With the passage of
this conference report, which includes the provisions of the Africa
Growth and Opportunity Act, the needed complimentary trade components
of our Africa development strategy, then we will indeed have a balanced
trade and aid program.
The Trade and Development Act of 2000 also includes another important
trade measure promoting further sustainable economic development for
America's neighbors to the south in the Caribbean Basin. The impact of
the first Caribbean Basin initiative enacted in the 1980s has, indeed,
been very positive. However, this earlier initiative is just the first
step. Its success naturally warrants the further investment and trade
expansion included in the CBI II to ensure the continuation of
responsible economic growth and stability in this region so close to
our southern borders.

[[Page H2583]]

This conference report also authorizes the use of carousel or
rotating retaliatory tariffs as a means of increasing the pressure on
trade competitors and partners, like the European Union, which failed
to comply with World Trade Organization rules and discriminate against
American products and services. This is an important tool for the U.S.
Trade Representative when addressing trade disputes involving American
agriculture in particular, given that of nearly 50 complaints filed by
the U.S. in the WTO, almost 30 percent involve agriculture.
This Member also supports the inclusion of H.R. 3173, the legislation
that would establish the permanent position of Chief Agriculture
Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative into this
comprehensive bill. In 1997, a temporary position of U.S. Special Trade
Ambassador for Agriculture was created, and it has proven to be an
effective representative of America's agriculture interests in
bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations. But this is a step
forward, and that is important, given the impact agriculture has on our
economy.
Mr. Speaker, the Trade and Development Act of 2000 is a balanced and
responsible bipartisan trade initiative. I want to thank all of my
colleagues on both sides of the aisle, certainly the Committee on Ways
and Means people, for their contributions. In my own committee, I want
to particularly focus appreciation on the gentleman from California
(Mr. Royce), who has been unfailing, unrelenting, in moving this bill
to its passage. I thank the gentleman for that special effort.
What this bill opens is a new mutually beneficial opportunity for
trade and investment in Africa and in the Caribbean Basin. It also
strengthens our ability to more effectively resolve unfair trade
disputes. Accordingly, this Member urges his colleagues to support the
conference report.
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Becerra).
Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Africa Growth and
Opportunity Act, H.R. 434, and its conference report.
First let me begin by acknowledging the men who made this bill
possible. Certainly this is a bill that was born of sheer determination
on the part of a number of individuals. Principally those that I know
of, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), who did not allow this
bill to ever see anything but light; and certainly the chairman, the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Crane); the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Archer); and, of course, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin), who I
know worked tremendously on this bill as well. I would like to applaud
their effort, because for many moments many did not believe this bill
would ever get to the President's desk. Certainly here we see that
sheer will can get you there.
H.R. 434 left the House in a troubled state. There were legitimate
concerns raised over the rights of workers, the misuse of African
nations as mere stopping points in the transshipment of textiles from
other countries trying to dump their products in America.
But I am very pleased to say that H.R. 434 has come to this floor
prepared for signature by the President of the of the United States.
The transshipment language is the best we have seen to date, the
textile provisions are improved from what came out of committee, and
the labor provisions certainly face us in the direction we need to be
heading with all of our trade agreements.
Our partners in Africa and the Caribbean deserve to know we are
serious about our partnerships with them and that we are serious about
building relationships that are meaningful and that they will work in
the future. They are ready in Africa and the Caribbean, they are
willing, and now they are simply waiting.
Mr. Speaker, I will support this legislation because it recognizes
that it is time for us to treat the African nations and the Caribbean
the way we would treat some of our partners we have negotiated with for
many years, and let them know we are with them in partnership, to have
them advance and become solid, meaningful trading partners with
America. It is time for this bill to become law. I am pleased to be
able to support this legislation.
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Moran).
Mr. PAYNE. I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from Virginia.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Upton). The gentleman from Virginia is
recognized for 1\1/2\ minutes.
Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friends for yielding
me time.
Mr. Speaker, the United States has always had a very special
relationship with the continent of Africa, and, with few exceptions, it
has been a relationship of exploitation. The African people, with few
exceptions, were the only people who were brought to this country, who
did not come to this country of their own volition. Most people did.
They were brought here to be used, and, in fact, much of our
agricultural economy was built on the backs of black people.
Many of the most menial jobs that the middle and upper classes in
America wanted performed were performed by people that were brought
here from Africa. But, despite the obstacles, many people of African
descent have risen to positions of prominence and stature and
leadership. Two such people are the floor managers today, the gentleman
from New York (Mr. Rangel) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Payne), and many of our most respected colleagues. But if you listen to
them, and they will tell you that what the continent of Africa needs
and deserves is mutual respect. Mutual respect. They do not need
paternalism and direct aid as much as they need the ability to sit down
at the table with us as peers in an atmosphere of equanimity, to deal
with Africa as a people and as a continent that we need as much as they
need us, and that is what this bill does.
This bill establishes a trade policy with Africa that will be, yes,
in our best interests, but will also enable the continent of Africa to
develop its human and natural resources. This is a bill we need as a
country. This is in our national interests. It should be a unanimous
vote in favor of this bill.

{time} 1500

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
California (Ms. Millender-McDonald).
Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the
gentleman from New Jersey for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 434, the African
Growth and Opportunity Act. This is a great day for America; this is a
great day for Africa. I am honored to say that today the vast majority
of American civic, religious, and business leaders strongly support
this bill. More important, all 43 nations of sub-Saharan Africa have
voiced unanimous support for this bold step towards stronger economic
ties between the United States and Africa.
As we speak this afternoon, Mr. Speaker, trade ministers from 13
African countries and 3 regional cooperative communities are visiting
Washington to press the urgency of this bill. They are the new African
leaders who will lead that continent into the global economy as equal
partners with other world regions.
I am proud to say that the United States is poised not only to
support them, but to build enduring partnerships between our businesses
and commercial enterprises.
Africa is rich with natural resources, but its most important
resource is the ingenuity and inventiveness of its people. Africa and
American entrepreneurs can now partner to strengthen businesses on both
sides of the Atlantic Ocean. While trade barriers have prevented Africa
from strengthening its imports to the United States, American consumers
purchase Kenya bags and Kente cloth from competing world regions. The
African growth and Opportunity Act now will let American businesses
travel to Africa to build infrastructure, expand access to technology,
and make good use of its natural resources. In return, Mr. Speaker,
African businesses will have access to this vast market where the sky
is the limit on consumer goods.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all of my colleagues who have
supported this bill every mile of the way, but a special kudos to my
friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), and my colleague, the
gentleman

[[Page H2584]]

from Los Angeles, California (Mr. Royce).
We have never suggested that this bill would be a panacea for Africa;
however, it will put Africa on the road to economic growth and
prosperity for its people.
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Weller).
Mr. WELLER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank and commend the gentleman
from Illinois (Mr. Crane), my friend, the chairman of the Subcommittee
on Trade for his good work and for yielding me some time. I also want
to commend the chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from Texas
(Mr. Archer), and the ranking Democrat, the gentleman from New York
(Mr. Rangel), for their leadership on this legislation, this bipartisan
effort.
If we believe in free enterprise, if we believe in democracy, we
should support this legislation. This legislation is good for America,
it is good for Africa, it is good for the Caribbean, for our friends in
those nations as well as our friends here at home. It is a win/win for
all of us. It is an agreement between the House and Senate; it is an
agreement that will increase investment in Africa and in the Caribbean,
as well as increase investment here in the United States.
I would note that these statistics I think really illustrate why this
initiative is so important.
Let me note that 1998, the Caribbean Basin, the nations of the
Caribbean Basin represent our 6th largest export market for American
goods. The United States maintains a large and growing surplus in its
trade with this region. In fact, in 1998, just 2 years ago, this trade
surplus was almost $3 billion, up 73 percent from the previous year.
Exports to the Caribbean Basin region alone support over 400,000
American export-related jobs, creating great opportunities for
businesses as well as workers in Chicago as well as the south suburbs.
I would also note that trade with Africa supports 200,000 American
jobs. In 1998, U.S. exports to Africa totaled over $6.7 billion
supporting those 200,000 American workers. That same year, 15 States in
our Union reported exports over $100 million each to sub-Saharan
African nations.
This initiative is good for Africa, it is good for the Caribbean, but
most of all, it is good for American workers and American business. It
deserves an aye vote; it deserves a strong bipartisan show of support.
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Stenholm).
(Mr. STENHOLM asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this
legislation today.
From an agricultural perspective, the Carousel Retaliation provision
will strengthen the enforcement mechanisms in the WTO dispute
resolutions, such as the recent beef hormone and banana disputes. The
achievement of permanent status for the U.S. Trade Representative
agricultural ambassador so that agriculture will remain high on USTR's
agenda is a very positive aspect of this legislation.
From a textile standpoint, one of the controversies that has been
worked out, it is now supported by the National Cotton Council, the
American Apparel Manufacturers Association, the National Retailers
Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Central American and
Caribbean Textiles and Apparel Council, and the countries of the
affected region.
The CBI parity portion of the conference report will increase demand
for U.S. cotton and textile competitiveness. It enables the U.S. cotton
industry to partner with Caribbean countries to produce more
competitive apparel products, thus increasing demand for U.S. cotton
fabric and yarn. This partnership will allow the U.S. cotton industry
to compete with imports from Asia as import quotas are phased out over
the next 5 years, and it is truly a partnership between Africa and the
Caribbean nations, which is one of the strengths of this bill. Only
apparel products that contain fabric formed with U.S.-manufactured yarn
or are knit in the region using U.S. yarn are eligible for the
treatment under the CBI provision.
The Africa portion under the conference report caps trade preferences
on apparel from Africa and protects against import surges and
transshipment, one of the strengths of the upcoming PNTR agreement with
China.
In general, this promotes economic and political stability in Africa
and the Caribbean nations through trade instead of aid, making the most
of scarce Federal resources. It is a good bill.
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee).
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New
Jersey for yielding me this time.
I rise again, first of all, Mr. Speaker, to indicate that this is a
historic day, and I have advocated for this bill in an earlier
statement on the floor of the House. But I thought it was appropriate
to come this time to particularly thank those who had an enormous
impact on where we are today. I would like to thank the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Crane) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), the
ranking member, for putting their heads and hearts together and not
allowing the road of divisiveness to keep us from this day. I would
like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce), who has put
many miles in front of him and behind him in visiting the heads of
state of African nations and understanding what this legislation would
mean. And then the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) for his long
years of steadfastness and independence on the question of Africa and
its importance in our foreign policy and his leadership on this
legislation. I thank him.
Mr. Speaker, we have come to this day primarily because this bill has
had a long journey, very distinctive from many of the trade bills that
we have brought to this floor. I think it is important for the American
people to understand that this is a bill that helps our large
businesses, our friends in corporate America; but it is a bill that
makes a very profound statement for the poorest countries in the
continent of Africa. Countries that earn less than $1,500 per capita
are included in participating in this particular legislation. They are
given particular incentives to be involved in a trade relationship with
the United States.
Mr. Speaker, do my colleagues know what that means? It means the
market women in Nigeria and Botswana, in Cote-d'Ivoire, in Ghana, in
Benin can be engaged in this concept of trade. It means that the
Caribbean Basin initiative gives our friends parity. It means that we
answer the question of dumping and transshipment.
So for all of those who think we have fastly gotten to this floor or
that we have undercut others, Mr. Speaker, let me say it has been a
long journey. We can thank many people, but this does help the people
of the continent of Africa; and it does help the people of the
Caribbean Basin. I would hope that my colleagues will see the value of
it, and I hope that they will vote for this legislation
enthusiastically.
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Matsui), a senior member of the Committee on Ways and
Means.
Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Rangel) for yielding me this time.
There are a number of Members here in this room in the House today
that have played a significant role. Obviously, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Royce) and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Jefferson)
and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott), but two people
should be really singled out for their outstanding role and their
tenaciousness and their leadership in making sure this bill came to the
floor of the House and soon to be sent to the President, and that is
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Crane), the chairman of the
Subcommittee on Trade of the Committee on Ways and Means, and certainly
my leader on the Democratic side, the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Rangel). Without their singular leadership and without their
inspiration in terms of sub-Saharan Africa, we would not have this bill
before us today.
Mr. Speaker, I am going to be very brief. I just want to make a
couple of

[[Page H2585]]

observations. One, there is 600 million people in 48 countries in sub-
Saharan Africa. This is one of the areas of the world in which we have
so much poverty, so much disease, AIDS; and we need to do much as a
Nation, as people of the world to help these 600 million people to
become consumers of the world as well as people that are living in
poverty.
Just 3 weeks ago, there were many people, thousands of people that
were at the steps of the Capitol demonstrating against the
International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. They were saying that
we should give debt relief; we should actually help these 600 million
people and other people that live in poverty throughout the world.
The way to do that is to pass this legislation, to make sure that we
give these 600 million people a marketplace-based type economy, so that
over time they are going to want to get up like we get up as American
citizens and say we want to work to earn a workable wage.
So the way to do that is to pass this bill. Those that refuse to look
at this really are not sincere when they go to the steps of the Capitol
and talk about debt relief. Handouts internationally do not work. It is
creating a marketplace economy to give people an opportunity and a
vision to be part of the world economy as we know it today.
So I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), and I thank the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Crane).
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North
Carolina (Mr. Hayes).
Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the Trade and
Development Act of 2000. This bill will imperil the livelihood of
thousands of U.S. textile workers. I support policies and appreciate
what is attempting to be done here today, to expand trade and open new
markets for our goods. But this bill will not be considered fair.
NAFTA and other free-trade measures were pitched to us as something
good for the textile industry. Last year alone, the domestic textile
apparel industry lost over 180,000 jobs. This agreement represents the
willingness to trade away American textile jobs for cheap goods. It
creates the opportunity for massive customs fraud, turning sub-Saharan
Africa into a transshipment superhighway. Customs personnel are not
equipped to enforce existing rules, and there is no reason to believe
that Customs has the resources to endorse the provisions in the
agreement.
The agreement provides quota- and duty-free access to imports from
Africa and the Caribbean. Combine this with the fact that our textile
industry faced record imports last year, and we can see that our
industry will be further crippled by imports.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues look closely at this bill and
vote for our workers and not for others.
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Owens).
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Owens.)
(Mr. OWENS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, today is a very important day. The leaders of
the Caribbean nation as well as leaders of the African nations are
welcoming this first step forward. It is a small step; but it is the
first step, where Africa moves from almost point zero to significant
participation in world trade. The Caribbean countries, we are going to
have some adjustments which we hope are positive. But I would like to
make a plea for the Caribbean countries in the Caribbean Basin that are
smallest, the islands of Trinidad, Guiana, Barbados, Grenada, Dominica,
Saint Lucia, and even Jamaica, which has a population of only about 3
million people.

{time} 1515

They are relatively small; they deserve special targeted treatment.
Consider the fact that they are buying far more from the United States,
consistently, than we are buying from them. The balance of trade is not
a problem there as it is with China and Taiwan and Hong Kong.
How did China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong get such a large portion of our
textile market? They are so far away. Why can we not look at the
problems that the small islands in the Caribbean have? We should have
priority for our friends in this hemisphere who have always been loyal
to us; priority for our friends in the hemisphere who purchase our
goods and end up with a balance of trade that is in our favor, not in
someone else's favor; priority to our friends in this hemisphere who
will help us to control the drug trade.
Mr. Speaker, if we do not take care of their exports, if we are not
more sensitive to their needs, then we are going to have more problems
like the problem of Colombia. It is going to mushroom, because they
have no choice except to seek some form of income and to become victims
of the prey of drug lords.
Let us look at these nations being special to the United States and
give them special sensitive preference.
Mr. Speaker, this long overdue trade legislation is filled with
inadequacies and shortcomings; however, it is the consensus of the
African and Caribbean leaders that this act constitutes a vital
beginning. The African nations will move from a zero point to a point
of significant participation. Most Caribbean nations will benefit from
new arrangements which prevent the unfair trade advantages of Mexico
from becoming worse. The majority of the changes and adjustments have
been approved by the Caribbean leaders; however, there are some
disappointing background movements.
Mr. Speaker, along with the majority of my Democratic colleagues, I
rise to protest the procedure which finalized this important
legislation. It must be noted that the Caribbean Basin Initiative [CBI]
section of the Senate Conference report that we are voting on today was
never presented on the floor of the House of Representatives. This
Congress only had the opportunity to vote on the Africa Trade and
Growth portion of the bill.
Behind closed doors with minimum participation of Democrats, the
Republican Majority developed this ``take it or leave it'' measure.
There are some reviews of the bill which state that certain countries
have lost ground. According to a representative of one of the Unions:
``To the extent that it is not good for anybody and without the actual
bill for close review, Latin America profits from the bill, with the
Dominican Republic the only Caribbean country that gets good benefits.
Jamaica, which has good laws, has lost [a portion of] its share every
year from 1995 to 1998. It is no good for Caribbean countries and no
good for U.S. workers.''
We look forward to the election of a democratically controlled
Congress where all of the shortcomings and deficiencies that we uncover
may be revised. But as of this date, the nations of Africa and the
Caribbean Basin are celebrating this important first step. President
Clinton has stated that he will sign this legislation into law.

benefits for the caribbean basin

Preserves the United States commitment to Caribbean Basin beneficiary
countries by promoting the growth of free enterprise and economic
opportunity in these neighboring countries and thereby enhances the
national security interests of the U.S.
Builds on the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act enacted in 1984
and extends additional trade benefits through 2008.
Extends duty-free benefits to apparel made in the Caribbean Basin
from U.S. yarn and fabric.
Extends duty-free benefits to knit apparel made in the CBI from
regional fabric made with U.S. yarn and knit-to-shape apparel (except
socks), up to a cap of 250 million square meter equivalents, with a
growth rate of 16 percent per year for the first three years; extends
benefits for an additional category of regional knit apparel products
up to a cap of 4.2 million dozen, growing 16 percent per year for the
first three years.
Includes provisions specifically designed to promote U.S. exports and
the use of U.S. fabric, yarn, and cotton.
Extends benefits to certain products from countries which are
signatories to free trade agreements with the United States.
Benefits under Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act are conditioned
on countries continuing to meet conditions including intellectual
property protection, investment protection, improved market access for
U.S. exports, and whether the country is taking steps to afford
internationally recognized worker rights.
The bill requires that eligible countries implement strict and
effective Customs procedures to guard against transshipment. Under a
``one strike and you are out'' provision, if an exporter is determined
to have engaged in illegal transshipment of textile and apparel
products from a CBI country, the President is required to deny all
benefits under the bill to that exporter for a period of two years.
Transshippers are subject to treble charges to existing textile and
apparel quotas.

[[Page H2586]]

Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley).
Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I first applaud the gentleman from Illinois
(Mr. Crane) for his fine leadership on many of the trade issues our
committee considers.
As a Floridian, I want to underscore the importance of trade with our
Caribbean Basin neighbors and also trade with Africa. I applaud it when
Members of this Congress can come together in a reasonable fashion to
talk about the economic realities and opportunities that are presented
through these bills. I think this is the hallmark of this Congress
where we can come together and discuss with some differences, yet
support for the underlying measure.
This will enhance trade with Africa, which is vitally important. We
also have to underscore, while we are talking about Africa, some of the
most serious considerations relative to AIDS that are afflicting that
region. I have worked with our former colleague, Mr. Dellums, on that
issue; and I will continue to do so. But one way that we can help in
Africa today is inspiring and working towards increased trade with that
region.
So I again thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Crane), the
chairman of the Subcommittee on Trade of the Committee on Ways and
Means, for his leadership on this issue, and I urge Members to vote
affirmatively for the package today.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Upton). The gentleman from California
(Mr. Royce), who has the right to close, has 1 minute remaining; the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) has 1\1/2\ minutes remaining; the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Crane) has 4\1/2\ minutes remaining; and
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) has 1 minute remaining.
Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I do not have any further requests for time. I just
would like to once again thank the Members of the Committee on Ways and
Means and the Committee on International Relations for the bipartisan
way in which they approached not only both bills, but approached the
differences that we have had with the other body.
I would like to thank the leadership on both sides of the aisle, and
I certainly want to thank the staffs of the Committee on Ways and
Means, more specifically of the Subcommittee on Trade, that worked well
into the morning hours in order to make certain that we did have a
conference report.
I want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Crane) for not only
the courageous way he handles his personal problems but the courageous
way he handled this bill and the political implications that we felt.
It is indeed an honor working with him and the chairman of the
committee.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished
gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas).
Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Crane) for yielding me this time, and I take the time only to
compliment everyone. Having served on the Subcommittee on Trade over
these years and watching how we have tried to put a product together,
especially on a bilateral basis, and the difficulty in dealing with
regions that cry out most for need like the Caribbean Basin and Sub-
Saharan Africa, I think all of us agree that this piece of legislation
is overdue.
But having said that, it still took an enormous amount of work to put
together, and I compliment the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) and
most especially the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Crane), chairman of
the subcommittee, and everybody who put in their hard work.
Mr. Speaker, this is a promising beginning. But as we all pat
ourselves on the back, we have to underscore the fact that this is the
beginning.
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I want to express appreciation to all present and those
who are not here on the floor right at this moment but who have been
actively involved in this bipartisan effort. I cannot stress that
enough. It has been such a real comfort when we have an opportunity for
an overwhelming majority of us to come together on issues where we
share common views and values and we are trying to advance an agenda
that works to the interest of people less fortunate than ourselves.
We are doing good work here. And I want to express particular
appreciation to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel), our ranking
minority member on the committee. I have had the pleasure of working
closely with the gentleman not just on this issue, but a number of
issues; and we do have remarkable things in common. I have always
viewed him as potentially salvageable.
Mr. Speaker, I am kidding. I do so much appreciate him. And I want to
just thank everybody else and urge them all to cast their votes in
support of this strong bipartisan effort.
Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to yield the balance of my time
to the distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. Royce).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Illinois?
There was no objection.
Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, let me also echo what has been said here before. Let me
certainly commend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Crane) and the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Rangel) for the tremendous work that they
have done on this bill. Of course, the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Gilman) and the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson), our Chairs,
also worked very hard.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to compliment the gentleman from California
(Mr. Royce) for his interest and his dedication to this bill and to
issues about Africa in general, as well as the gentleman from New York
(Mr. Houghton) and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Jefferson). But
let me make special tribute to the gentleman from Washington (Mr.
McDermott), a classmate of mine, who came in and is the one who came up
with the idea and said something had to happen and moved it forward. So
I would like to make special acknowledgment to the gentleman from
Washington who has done an outstanding job in bringing this idea forth.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California (Mr. Royce)
has 3 minutes remaining.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to join the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Payne) in recognizing the work that the gentleman from Washington (Mr.
McDermott) over the last 6 years has put in conceptually to this
effort. We have thanked the ranking members, but let me also thank the
staff of the Committee on International Relations and the staff of the
Committee on Ways and Means for their work on this bill.
Mr. Speaker, let me say as chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, I
think we are on the verge of making a very significant achievement for
this Congress and for the future of America's relationship with Africa.
I think the African and Caribbean bills are going to play a critical
role in helping to bring Africa and the Caribbean nations further into
the world economy, which I believe is good not only for those
countries, but good for the United States.
I believe that this bill will not cure all of the ills that we have
heard about today, some of the problems in Africa; but I think it will
help spur economic growth in Africa. And unless African economies grow,
then all our concerns about Africa, whether it is poverty or
environmental degradation or disease, those are guaranteed to grow.
I think the Caribbean Basin initiative in this bill offers benefits
to American businesses. I think it builds on the $19 billion in exports
that the U.S. sent to Caribbean countries last year. And as we have
heard, U.S. exports to that region have tripled as a result of the
enactment of CBI in 1984.
With both Africa and the Caribbean, this bill reduces duties, which
is a benefit to the American consumer. And because it helps build
political and economic stability, the Caribbean Basin Initiative
enhancement in this report will contribute to U.S. national security.
The Caribbean countries are close neighbors to America, and we have a
big stake in their well-being.

[[Page H2587]]

Mr. Speaker, let me say the African Growth and Opportunity Act will
help build critical and economic stability in Africa, and that is in
our strategic national interest.
We need to pass this conference report. We need to do what is good
for Africa, do what is good for the Caribbean nations, and what is good
for America. I urge a ``yes'' vote from my colleagues.
Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, in recent months, the HIV/AIDS epidemic in
Africa has finally begun to receive the international attention that a
crisis of this magnitude deserves. Over 23 million Africans are
infected wtih HIV, and it is projected that a quarter of southern
Africa's population will die of AIDS. These staggering numbers, and the
political and economic instability that they are creating, have
prompted the National Security Council to designate HIV/AIDS in Africa
as a security threat to the United States.
Although I am supporting the African Growth and Caribbean Initiative
Act, my enthusiasm is mixed with disappointment that we have missed
this important opportunity to take substantive steps to address this
disease. Two HIV/AIDS provisions were excluded from the conference
report by the majority. The inclusion of these two provisions in this
legislation would have improved access to affordable AIDS drugs and
strengthened the international effort to develop an AIDS vaccine.
Efforts to treat and eventually eradicate HIV/AIDS are vital to
Africa's economic future. It is no exaggeration to say that HIV/AIDS is
decimating the African work force, and the African economic progress
that this legislation is designed to support is being placed in
jeopardy.
Economic ties between the U.S. and Africa have been growing steadily
this decade. African economic development creates new markets for U.S.
products and provides resources that this country needs. However, the
African economic development that we benefit from in this country is
directly threatened by the AIDS eidemic. Professor Jeffrey Sachs,
Director of the Harvard Institute for International Development, has
stated that ``a frontal attack on AIDS in Africa may now be the single
most important strategy for economic development.'' It is estimated
that over the next 20 years AIDS will reduce by a fourth the economies
of sub-Saharan Africa.
AIDS undermines economic development in several ways. HIV strikes
individuals during their most productive years. The disease erodes
productivity by increasing absenteeism, and it raises the cost of
business through increased need for health benefits and increased costs
of recruiting and training new employees as current employees die or
become disabled. A 1999 South African study found that the total costs
of benefits in that country will increase from 7 percent of salaries in
1995 to 19 percent by 2005 due to AIDS. Some companies are already
hiring two employees for every one skilled job because of the
likelihood that one will die from AIDS.
I had hoped that two HIV/AIDS provisions would be included in the
conference report. First, Senator Kerry and I have proposed a tax
credit for qualified research and development costs associated with
research on vaccines for malaria, tuberculosis, or HIV. The tax credit
equals 30 percent of total annual qualified R&D investments. In
addition, smaller companies could choose to waive the credit and pass
it on to their equity investors who finance R&D on one of the priority
vaccines. A vaccine is our best hope to bring this epidemic under
control and we must accelerate research efforts in order to have any
realistic chance of successfully developing a faccines in the near
future.
Second, Senators Feinstein and Feingold proposed a provision designed
to improve the access of African nations to generic equivalents of
expensive HIV/AIDS drugs. Many years of work and significant federal
research dollars have gone into the development of the combination drug
therapies that are extending the lives and improving the quality of
life for so many people living with HIV/AIDS in this country. We have a
moral responsibility to ensure the widest possible access to these
treatments and new therapies as they are developed. The benefits that
come from our federal investments in scientific and medical research
are not meant to be restricted to the wealthy.
The inclusion of these HIV/AIDS provisions would have contributed
significently to vital efforts to treat and evenually halt HIV/AIDS,
thereby ensuring a healthier and more prosperous future for the African
continent. I hope that the Congress will move swiftly to address this
crisis by doing everything we can to treat, educate, prevent, and
eventually eradicate HIV/AIDS in both the development and the
developing world.
Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this conference report
and I urge my colleagues to support it as well.
The American people often look to Congress in the hope that we can
accomplish things in a bi-partisan fashion. With this bill, we have.
My colleagues on both sides of the aisle, especially Mr. Archer, Mr.
Rangel, Mr. Crane, and Mr. Royce, worked very hard on this legislation
and should be commended for their efforts.
Today's conference report gets to the very heart of compassionate
conservatism. By promoting expanded trade, the United States will be
minimizing the need for foreign aid and disaster relief. We will be
helping other nations become more self-sufficient.
This Africa-CBI bill is great news for all parties involved. For our
friends in Africa and the Caribbean, this bill will help increase the
stability of their nations, and help their economies grow.
For the United States, this bill means an expanded market for
American manufactured goods and agricultural products.
It was over 200 years ago that our founding father Ben Franklin said
that, ``No nation was ever ruined by trade.'' Ben Franklin was right.
Nations aren't ruined by trade; they are strengthened by trade.
With this bill, we will be exporting more than just our products, we
will be exporting our ideals of freedom and democracy. That means a
stronger, more stable Africa. And safer, stronger Caribbean nations.
By promoting trade and investment in other nations, we are making the
world a more secure place.
There are 700 million people living in Sub-saharan Africa and 58
million people living in the Caribbean. We must engage these citizens
of the world, and help them participate in the new economy.
The new economy is based on world-wide trade and the free flow of
ideas. By passing this conference report, we will take another crucial
step down the road to an integrated society and world.
I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this important bi-
partisan, legislation. It is in the best interest of our nation and our
world.
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R.
434, the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. Today, in the Africa and
Caribbean Trade Bills, this body has the potential to make a great
contribution not only to the people and the countries of Africa and the
Caribbean, but for those of us right here in our own country.
These bills have been a long time coming, but I am pleased to join my
colleagues in strongly supporting them.
As you know, I am not only a proud person of African descent, but my
district is a part of the English speaking Caribbean. Although the
Virgin Islands is part of the United States, and some of the issues we
hoped to have addressed within the body of this legislation are not
included, the benefits that the increased trade will bring to the
region will benefit us as well.
I want to take this opportunity to applaud Congressman Rangel and
Congressman Crane for their hard work, persistence and diligence in
bringing these bills to the floor today.
I ask all of my colleagues to fully support H.R. 434 and vote yes.
Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, this legislation will for the first time
focus the attention of the U.S. government on a comprehensive trade
strategy towards Africa. We have neglected this continent too long only
to the benefit of their former European colonial powers. With the
anemic growth in our exports, the U.S. needs to look at every possible
market opportunity to improve trade relations.
Many may be surprised to learn that U.S. exports to Africa have been
growing at a steady rate. Exports from Illinois to South Africa grew
from $269 million in 1995 to $413 million in 1998--a 54 percent
increase! Illinois exports more to South Africa than it does to Spain
or India.
The specific African trade picture for Rockford is even better.
Exports from Rockford to all of Africa almost doubled, going from $2.9
million in 1995 to $5.1 million in 1998. Some of these exports came
from companies like Etnyre of Oregon, which sold asphalt making
equipment to the Ivory Coast and Kenya; Newell's International Division
in Rockford, which sold office and home products to Zimbabwe and South
Africa; Wahl Clipper of Sterling, which sold barbershop hair clippers
to South Africa and Nigeria; and Taylor of Rockton, which sold soft
serve ice cream machines to South Africa and Nigeria.
African trade also extends to McHenry County--RITA Chemical of
Woodstock sold industrial inorganic chemicals for the cosmetic industry
in South Africa and Motorola of Harvard, a manufacturer of cellular
phones that are used even in the remotest parts of Africa.
This legislation will further increase export opportunities from
companies like these all across America by re-orienting the trade
programs and policies of the U.S. government towards Africa.
Jane Dauffenbach, President of Aquarius Systems, located in North
Prairie, Wisconsin, testified before my Small Business Exports

[[Page H2588]]

Subcommittee last year about the cut-throat behavior of other foreign
governments in trying to win export opportunities in Africa for their
local companies. Aquarius Systems manufacturers aquatic weed
harvesters. Ms. Dauffenbach testified how the Japanese and the Israeli
governments almost snatched a huge export sale to Kenya from her
company. It was only because she had a World Bank contract, backed by
political risk insurance purchased from the Overseas Private Investment
Corporation (OPIC), that she was able to win and complete the sale. She
said, ``(s)imply put, Aquarius systems is not competing with foreign
companies. We are competing with foreign governments * * * It is
imperative that the financing and insurance programs from OPIC exist so
that we have the necessary tools available to accomplish our goals.''
H.R. 434 formalizes an investment fund for Africa within OPIC to
further enhance export opportunities for companies all across America
like Aquarius Systems.
This bill represents the tip of the iceberg of what can happen if we
build better trade relationships with the 48 countries of sub-Saharan
Africa. All these companies agree that if there is a more active effort
on the part of the U.S. government to help develop and open the markets
in Africa, they would benefit through increased sales.
While this bill is not a cure-all for our trade deficit or for
solving all of Africa's problems, it represents one beginning step in
the right direction. It has the support of our exporting community. It
has the support of all--I repeat--all of the sub-Saharan African
countries. It's a win-win for all sides. I urge you to join them in
supporting this legislation.
Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of
the conference report for H.R. 434, the African Growth and Opportunity
Act and Caribbean Basin Initiative. This much-needed legislation is a
first and necessary step to initiate a new era of trade and investment
relations between the United States and the 48 nations of Sub-Saharan
Africa and the 25 countries of the Caribbean.
Mr. Speaker, for decades we have funded a variety of foreign aid
programs to assist lesser- and under-developed countries like those in
Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean, where far too many people
continue to live in deep and unrelenting poverty. This aid has failed
to provide the necessary catalyst to create jobs and provide a higher
standard of living for the people in these regions.
Just as in helping poor communities in the United States, I firmly
believe that in the long run private sector investment will lead to
jobs, economic development and prosperity. As long as economic
opportunity is denied, self-sufficiency is impossible. H.R. 434
provides that missing spark of opportunity that is so essential to
building economic independence. And, without this bill, the people of
Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean will continue to lack the
necessary tools to provide a better future for themselves and their
children.
Mr. Speaker, this bill is a win-win situation for Americans.
Increased economic prosperity will help support and strengthen the
democratic institutions emerging in Sub-Saharan Africa, and a stronger,
more stable region will lead to increased international security and
peace. And, through H.R. 434, economic opportunity will be available to
people whose governments are committed to establishing and moving
toward market-based economies.
At the same time, this bill also creates new trade and investment
opportunities for American exporters and workers. Developing economies
in Africa and the Caribbean are natural markets for U.S. products and
services, and until now those markets did not have the means to develop
and mature into thriving economies with consumers clamoring for
American-made products.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 434 is the first step to creating American trade
partners who can develop into allies to combat terrorism, international
crime and drug trafficking, as well as help fight the spread of disease
that continues to plague far too many in the under-developed world. I
urge my colleagues to join me in enthusiastic support of this important
legislation.
Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 434--the
African Growth and Opportunity Conference Report. The constituents in
my district support efforts by this Congress to ease the burden of
poverty in the Caribbean by solidifying a strong growing market for
U.S. exports to the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) region.
This bill encourages African and Caribbean countries to continue
economic reforms while providing essential opportunities for their
citizens. This legislation provides duty free, quota free treatment for
apparel made in 24 countries of the Caribbean Basin Initiative. This
will allow the countries of Central America and the Caribbean to
compete on an equal basis with Mexico under NAFTA.
Passage of this bill will help raise the standard of living for
people in the Caribbean and Africa and help create new economic ties
between the United States, the Caribbean and Africa. Private sector
trade and investment will create new markets for U.S. exports of goods
and services. Fostering economic growth in Africa and the Caribbean is
critical to raising the standard of living of the people living in
Africa and the Caribbean. By assisting U.S. exporters in expanding
their access to the African and Caribbean markets, we are opening up a
market for 800 million potential new consumers for American goods and
services.
The United States has moral, political, strategic, and economic
interests in supporting and helping to facilitate the economic
transformation of African and Caribbean countries. Most of the
Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa's economies are small and fragile and
lag behind the rest of the world in almost everything.
However, sub-Saharan Africa holds tremendous importance to the United
States on a number of fronts. On the most basic level, its 48 nations
encompass tremendous natural resources and a land area and population
approximately three times that of the United States. Africa is also
important to the United States because we have 33 million people of
African descent and more than one million first and second generation
Africans now living in the United States.
Strategically, the United States has a strong interest in helping to
build a strong, stable, and prosperous Africa. The continent of Africa
is one of the world's great emerging economic opportunities. Already,
in 1998, the United States exported $6.5 billion in goods to sub-
Saharan Africa, supporting more than 100,000 jobs in the United States.
Figures on export services reached $3.6 billion in 1997. There is no
doubt that Africa is important to the United States.
In order to be attractive to foreign investors, Africa must expand
trade and continue to deepen reform. We must not allow this great
continent to lag behind the rest of the world. There is no doubt that
this bill will aid in our efforts to ensure a strong Africa and help
our African brothers and sisters. I urge my colleagues to support this
bill.
Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report
for H.R. 434, the African Growth and Opportunity Act. This bi-partisan
legislation includes important provisions expanding trade opportunities
with the nations of sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean Basin.
Enactment of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act and the Caribbean
Basin Initiative is crucial to both the development of U.S. trade to
U.S. foreign policy goals in both regions. The provisions in the
Africa-CBI conference report will provide significant benefits for sub-
Saharan Africa and will help create incentives for new business and
partnerships between Africa and the United States. Passage of this
legislation will open up a market of 800 million potential new
consumers for American goods and services. Perhaps most importantly,
the Africa-CBI legislation will establish a solid foundation on which
we can build a closer U.S.-African trading relationship and solidify
trade ties with the CBI region.
The Caribbean portion of the Conference Report provides duty-free and
quota-free treatments to imports of apparel made from U.S. fabric. The
25 nations in the Caribbean Basin will also be permitted to send a
limited amount of apparel made from fabric produced in the region.
These provisions will allow substantial growth in the Caribbean Basin's
exports to the U.S. and has been carefully crafted to avoid threatening
U.S. jobs or abusing basic labor standards.
This legislation would also provide the 48 sub-Saharan African
nations with the necessary tools to sustain long-term economic growth
and to compete in global markets. Passage of this legislation is
important to strengthen the capacity of U.S. programs so that American
business can compete in Africa's expanding market. The Africa-CBI bill
would institute a comprehensive trade and investment policy for the
U.S. and sub-Saharan Africa, and establish a transition path from
development assistance to economic self-reliance for African countries
committed to economic and political reform. The Africa-CBI bill also
provides for an annual high-level forum to discuss economic and
political reform. The Africa-CBI bill also provides for an annual high-
level forum to discuss economic and trade issues, including the
promotion of OPIC and EXIM efforts in the region, reforms to the
Development Fund for Africa and the need for effective debt relief.
The current trade relationship between the U.S. and the African
continent is relatively small. Last year, two way trade of goods
totaled $19.6 billion and the U.S. market share was less than 8
percent. On a continent with over 10 percent of the world's population,
the U.S. business community will have new opportunities to develop
infrastructure projects, bringing the benefits of improved
transportation systems, new power plants and modern telecommunication
installations. To that end, H.R. 434 facilitates $650 million in
critical investments opportunities for Americans and Africans
interested in modernizing Africa's infrastructure.

[[Page H2589]]

I am also pleased that the Africa-CBI bill includes language
establishing tough new standards to prevent illegal apparel
transshipments. To discourage other nations from illegally funneling
their textiles and apparel through Africa into the U.S., this
legislation would suspend an exporter's trade privileges if it is found
guilty of engaging in illegal transshipments. Further, the agreement
includes a provision that would require the Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative to rotate the goods sanctioned during trade disputes.
Known as carousel retaliation, this important measure will increase
U.S. leverage in trade disputes by spreading the impact of sanctions
over several markets. These measures will ensure that the trade between
African nations, the CBI and the United States will be held to a fair
standard, and not be to the detriment of American jobs and workers.
Mr. Speaker, this conference report is not a perfect piece of
legislation. I wish the conferees had done more within this bill to
provide needed debt relief and deliver immediate assistance to Africa
in its battle against the AIDS epidemic. But this bill represents an
important first step in creating a new and mutually benefiting trade
and investment relationship between the U.S. and Africa.
With enactment of the Africa-CBI bill, a sound trade and investment
policy foundation for expanding economic partnership between the U.S.
and sub-Saharan Africa will be created. I strongly support this
Conference Report and urge my colleagues to support this important
legislation.
Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I
move the previous question on the conference report.
The previous question was ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the conference report.
The question was taken; and the Speaker pro tempore announced that
the ayes appeared to have it.
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not
present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Evidently a quorum is not present.
The Sergeant at Arms will notify absent Members.
The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 309,
nays 110, not voting 16, as follows:

[Roll No. 145]

YEAS--309

Ackerman
Aderholt
Allen
Archer
Armey
Bachus
Baird
Baker
Ballenger
Barrett (NE)
Barton
Bass
Bateman
Becerra
Bentsen
Bereuter
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Biggert
Bilbray
Bishop
Blagojevich
Bliley
Blumenauer
Blunt
Boehlert
Boehner
Bonilla
Bono
Borski
Boswell
Boyd
Brady (TX)
Brown (FL)
Bryant
Burton
Callahan
Calvert
Camp
Campbell
Canady
Cannon
Capps
Cardin
Carson
Castle
Chabot
Chambliss
Clay
Clayton
Clement
Clyburn
Collins
Combest
Cooksey
Cox
Cramer
Crane
Cubin
Cummings
Cunningham
Danner
Davis (FL)
Davis (IL)
Davis (VA)
DeGette
DeLay
DeMint
Deutsch
Diaz-Balart
Dickey
Dicks
Dixon
Doggett
Dooley
Doolittle
Dreier
Dunn
Edwards
Ehlers
Ehrlich
Emerson
Engel
English
Eshoo
Ewing
Farr
Fattah
Foley
Ford
Fossella
Fowler
Frelinghuysen
Frost
Gallegly
Ganske
Gejdenson
Gekas
Gibbons
Gilchrest
Gillmor
Gilman
Gonzalez
Goodlatte
Goodling
Gordon
Goss
Graham
Granger
Green (WI)
Greenwood
Hall (OH)
Hall (TX)
Hansen
Hastert
Hastings (WA)
Hayworth
Hefley
Herger
Hill (IN)
Hill (MT)
Hilliard
Hinchey
Hinojosa
Hobson
Hoeffel
Hoekstra
Hooley
Horn
Houghton
Hoyer
Hulshof
Hutchinson
Hyde
Inslee
Isakson
Istook
Jackson-Lee (TX)
Jefferson
John
Johnson (CT)
Johnson, E. B.
Johnson, Sam
Jones (OH)
Kasich
Kelly
Kilpatrick
Kind (WI)
King (NY)
Knollenberg
Kolbe
Kuykendall
LaFalce
LaHood
Lampson
Largent
Larson
Latham
LaTourette
Lazio
Leach
Levin
Lewis (CA)
Lewis (GA)
Lewis (KY)
Linder
Lofgren
Lowey
Lucas (KY)
Luther
Maloney (NY)
Manzullo
Martinez
Matsui
McCarthy (MO)
McCarthy (NY)
McCollum
McCrery
McDermott
McInnis
McIntosh
McKeon
McNulty
Meehan
Meek (FL)
Meeks (NY)
Menendez
Mica
Millender-McDonald
Miller (FL)
Miller, Gary
Minge
Moore
Moran (KS)
Moran (VA)
Morella
Myrick
Napolitano
Nethercutt
Northup
Nussle
Olver
Ortiz
Ose
Owens
Oxley
Packard
Pastor
Payne
Pease
Pelosi
Peterson (PA)
Petri
Pickering
Pickett
Pitts
Pombo
Pomeroy
Porter
Portman
Price (NC)
Pryce (OH)
Quinn
Radanovich
Ramstad
Rangel
Regula
Reyes
Reynolds
Riley
Rivers
Rodriguez
Roemer
Rogan
Ros-Lehtinen
Rothman
Roukema
Royce
Rush
Ryan (WI)
Ryun (KS)
Sabo
Salmon
Sanchez
Sandlin
Sawyer
Scarborough
Schaffer
Scott
Sensenbrenner
Serrano
Sessions
Shadegg
Shaw
Shays
Sherwood
Shimkus
Shuster
Simpson
Sisisky
Skeen
Skelton
Slaughter
Smith (MI)
Smith (TX)
Smith (WA)
Snyder
Stabenow
Stearns
Stenholm
Stump
Sununu
Sweeney
Talent
Tancredo
Tanner
Tauscher
Tauzin
Terry
Thomas
Thompson (CA)
Thornberry
Thune
Thurman
Tiahrt
Toomey
Towns
Turner
Upton
Vitter
Walden
Walsh
Waters
Watkins
Watts (OK)
Waxman
Weiner
Weldon (FL)
Weldon (PA)
Weller
Wexler
Whitfield
Wicker
Wilson
Wolf
Wu
Wynn
Young (FL)

NAYS--110

Abercrombie
Andrews
Baca
Baldacci
Baldwin
Barcia
Barr
Barrett (WI)
Bartlett
Bilirakis
Bonior
Boucher
Brady (PA)
Brown (OH)
Burr
Buyer
Capuano
Chenoweth-Hage
Coble
Condit
Conyers
Costello
Coyne
Crowley
Deal
DeFazio
Delahunt
DeLauro
Dingell
Doyle
Duncan
Etheridge
Evans
Filner
Fletcher
Forbes
Frank (MA)
Gephardt
Goode
Green (TX)
Hayes
Hilleary
Holden
Holt
Hostettler
Hunter
Jackson (IL)
Jenkins
Jones (NC)
Kanjorski
Kaptur
Kennedy
Kildee
Kingston
Kleczka
Klink
Kucinich
Lantos
Lee
Lipinski
LoBiondo
Maloney (CT)
Markey
Mascara
McGovern
McIntyre
McKinney
Metcalf
Miller, George
Mink
Moakley
Mollohan
Murtha
Nadler
Neal
Ney
Norwood
Oberstar
Pallone
Pascrell
Paul
Peterson (MN)
Phelps
Rahall
Rogers
Rohrabacher
Roybal-Allard
Sanders
Sanford
Saxton
Schakowsky
Sherman
Shows
Smith (NJ)
Souder
Spratt
Stark
Strickland
Stupak
Taylor (MS)
Taylor (NC)
Tierney
Traficant
Udall (CO)
Udall (NM)
Visclosky
Wamp
Watt (NC)
Weygand
Woolsey

NOT VOTING--16

Coburn
Cook
Everett
Franks (NJ)
Gutierrez
Gutknecht
Hastings (FL)
Lucas (OK)
McHugh
Obey
Spence
Thompson (MS)
Velazquez
Vento
Wise
Young (AK)

{time} 1535

Announcement By the Speaker Pro Tempore

The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Upton) (during the vote). The Chair
notes a disturbance in the gallery in contravention of the laws and
rules of the House.
The Sergeant at Arms will remove those persons responsible for the
disturbance and restore order to the gallery.

{time} 1546

Mr. SOUDER, Mrs. MINK of Hawaii, and Mr. FLETCHER changed their vote
from ``yea'' to ``nay.''
Messrs. HINOJOSA, TOWNS and LEWIS of Georgia changed their vote from
``nay'' to ``yea.''
So the conference report was agreed to.
The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

____________________