[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 159 (Friday, November 16, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2111]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  FAST TRACK AND ANY FREE TRADE LEGISLATION MUST REFLECT THE NEEDS OF 
                             RURAL AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RONNIE SHOWS

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 16, 2001

  Mr. SHOWS. Mr. Speaker, the House may soon vote on fast track 
legislation, to swiftly move another massive free trade bill through 
this body.
  Mr. Speaker, I am not opposed to free trade.
  In fact, I support any trade measures that increase production and 
commerce in our country, and create new jobs for our people.
  But I am reminded of the old saying that goes: ``Fool me once, shame 
on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!''
  I am concerned that any future trade agreement could have devastating 
consequences similar to those of NAFTA.
  Since NAFTA was implemented in 1994, many American manufacturing 
plants shut down when they took their business elsewhere to take 
advantage of pitifully low wages and tax environmental laws.
  They left thousands of dedicated American workers in the lurch and 
forced local small businesses to close.
  Many of these plants are located in rural areas. Small rural towns 
depend on the success of one plant. If that factory closes, it destroys 
the economy of the town, or even an entire county. Workers have no 
place else to find work.
  In rural areas, when a factory shuts down, there are no jobs to be 
re-trained for! Once-vibrant American communities become ghost towns.
  In Mississippi, walk down the main streets in places like Prentiss, 
or Mendenhall, or Monticello, or my hometown of Bassfield, and you will 
see what I mean.
  NAFTA took away jobs and tore communities apart. We must be mindful 
of the similar unintended consequences of any future free trade 
agreements, and not repeat this calamity.
  We must protect the people and communities that might otherwise lose 
jobs if we do not build-in protections for them. We must not turn 
people into simple statistics. We should not leave any community behind 
in the name of progress.
  Future trade agreements need to address the needs of rural America. I 
stand ready to work with advocates of Fast Track and other trade 
agreements if we know they reflect these needs.
  But if they don't, Mr. Speaker, I can assure you that my colleagues 
from rural America and I won't be footed again!

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