[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.

                          ____________________