[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 166 (Monday, November 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2309]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE IMPORTANCE OF SELECTING MIAMI AS THE PERMANENT SECRETARIAT OF THE 
  FREE TRADE AREA OF THE AMERICAS AND THE VITAL PROTECTION OF FLORIDA 
                                 CITRUS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 17, 2003

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, South Florida is honored, as leaders 
from over thirty nations from the Western Hemisphere convene in my 
beautiful hometown of Miami to discuss what is to be one of the largest 
free trade agreements in history.
  The FTAA would be the world's largest free market, with combined GDP 
of nearly $13 trillion in over 30 countries, and nearly 800 million 
consumers. The creation of the FTAA would foster economic growth and 
opportunity, promote regional integration and good governance. In 
concert with my colleagues in the U.S. Congress, I have corresponded 
and met numerous times with Ambassadors Zoellick and Cobb to discuss at 
length the selection of Miami as the headquarters for the Secretariat.
  Miami is a perfect location for the Secretariat due to its bustling 
economy, multilingual population and its role as the hub for Latin 
America.
  I have supported efforts on behalf of Miami that involve the 
Permanent Secretariat of the Free Trade Area of the Americas; 
especially the most current appropriations of $8.5 million that will 
assist our local South Florida community.
  Free trade cannot encompass nations that are dictatorial, ruthless, 
and that lack regard for freedom and human rights. Ruthless regimes 
cannot be allowed entry into any free trade agreements as they lack the 
fundamental premise for market-based trade to succeed freedom. Without 
a democratic system of government, free trade cannot flourish. Brutal 
dictatorships in our Hemisphere should not have access into any form of 
free trade agreements until they hold independent elections, free its 
political prisoners, allow freedom of press, and respect and upheld 
other basic liberties.
  It is the hope of our South Florida community that the Administration 
will select Miami as the U.S. candidate city to serve as home to the 
FTAA Secretariat, when an agreement is completed. Miami's special and 
close relationship with our Latin neighbors make the city a natural 
choice to play this important role.
  As leaders of the Western Hemisphere meet to discuss the vital issue 
of a tentative FTAA, it is important to remember our local citrus 
industry.
  As we strive to open new markets and expand opportunities for U.S. 
workers and businesses through seeking new trade agreements, we must 
ensure that our workers and businesses have fair opportunities to 
compete in the increasingly global marketplace.
  Any reduction of tariffs on imported orange juice would impede these 
important objectives. These tariffs help to promote competition, 
enabling us to compete on a level playing field in the global 
marketplace.
  It is very clear that any reduction in the tariff would have serious 
consequences on Florida's citrus industry and could potentially 
devastate the State's economy. The citrus industry is the State's 
second largest, contributing over $9 billion to our economy. In 
addition, the citrus industry accounts for nearly 90,000 direct and 
indirect jobs throughout Florida and the country.
  As delegates congregate in South Florida to discuss the future of 
trade in the Western Hemisphere, I call upon our leaders of the 
Hemisphere to not forget the hard workers of Florida and the importance 
of Florida Citrus.

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