[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 154 (Thursday, November 8, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2048]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  STATEMENT IN SUPPORT AND RECOGNITION OF THE DETROIT ECONOMIC SUMMIT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 8, 2001

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to call the House's attention 
to an important event that will take place next week in the heart of 
Michigan--the Detroit Economic Summit. On November 14-15, 2001, 
representatives of a variety of senior officials from Arab countries 
and political organizations, Michigan-based companies, and the 
leadership and rank-and-file members of the Arab American and community 
organizations in the Detroit and Dearborn area will assemble for a 
series of events devoted to promoting trade and economic ties between 
the United States and the countries of the Near East.
  The Summit is being spearheaded by the American Arab Chamber of 
Commerce in Dearborn, which has worked hard to draw in the talents of 
like-minded organizations, businesses and institutions such as the 
Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, the CMS Energy Corporation, the 
Detroit Medical Center, the Ford Motor Company, and others. The Summit 
will feature the participation of the Secretary General of the Arab 
League, His Excellency Amre Moussa, who is leading a delegation 
consisting of the distinguished Ambassadors of the Arab countries. 
Working collectively, and drawing from their deep experience in both 
politics and commerce, the organizers and participants in these events 
are all working for a common, and in my view, very important objective: 
establishing the Detroit/Dearborn area as the gateway for American 
trade, investment and commerce with the Near East region.
  As many of our colleagues know, Mr. Speaker, the Near East region 
holds a vast wealth of potential as an investment destination and 
trading partner for businesses, financial institutions and investors 
from the United States. Many of the governments of the region have made 
significant strides in adopting clearer and more transparent trade, 
investment and regulatory regimes and have made corresponding efforts 
to privatize state-owned industries and open up their economies. These 
efforts have helped to diversify and increase the levels of economic 
interaction between the United States and the region, and with the 
concerted efforts of those who are participating in the Summit, there 
is good cause to anticipate further growth and expansion.
  The promotion of trade and investment is important not only for its 
impact on economic growth, employment, and standards of living in the 
United States and the Near East. Stronger economic ties also bring 
forth associated benefits, such as a greater appreciation of cultural 
and religious distinctions of the American and Arab peoples. As 
economic activity extends across borders in the region and with the 
United States, the prospects for peace, stability, and common 
understanding are likewise advanced. In times such as these, I trust 
that all of us will appreciate the importance of achieving these 
objectives.
  As the home to hundreds of thousands of Arab Americans, the Detroit 
area is naturally suited to serve as a gateway for commerce between the 
United States and the Arab states. At the same time, Michigan-based 
companies are leading the way in increasing the volume of two-way trade 
and investment: everything from large-scale endeavors like CMS Energy's 
pioneering work in producing power and desalinated water in the Arabian 
Gulf or Ford's exports to the region, to small-scale imports of goods 
and wares from the region to the Detroit area.
  Much like Miami has become the hub for economic ties between the 
United States and Latin America, The Detroit/Dearborn area is well on 
the path toward establishing itself as America's bridge to the Arab 
World. I urge my colleagues to join me welcoming the participants of 
the Economic Summit to Michigan and wishing them well as they continue 
with their vital work. I would also ask that the House acknowledge the 
hard work and vision of the organizers of this event, the Arab American 
Chamber of Commerce.

                          ____________________