[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 104 (Tuesday, September 7, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8846-S8847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           PASSAGE OF U.S.-AUSTRALIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT ACT

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, recently the Senate passed S. 2610, the 
United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act. The 
U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement, which will be implemented by this 
legislation, will provide many benefits to

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U.S. manufacturers and agricultural producers. U.S. consumers will 
clearly gain from it as well. This agreement will also further cement 
our friendship with Australia, a long-time ally and our strong partner 
in the war on terrorism.
  The U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement is an example of the 
importance of Trade Promotion Authority. It has been almost 2 years 
since Trade Promotion Authority was signed into law as part of the 
trade act of 2002. During this time, the United States has signed free 
trade agreements with Chile, Singapore, and now Australia. The 
implementing bills for each of these agreements passed the Congress 
with strong support, so Congress clearly recognizes the benefits of 
trade promotion authority.
  Many people worked hard to see that this vote became a reality. First 
and foremost, this would not have happened without the leadership of 
President George W. Bush. President Bush is committed to building the 
U.S. economy by opening the world's markets to U.S. goods and services, 
and the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement is just the latest of the 
trade accomplishments he has made possible.
  U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick deserves strong 
commendation for his efforts in negotiating this agreement. His 
commitment to expanding U.S. trade opportunities is steadfast.
  I would also like to thank chief U.S. agricultural negotiator Allen 
Johnson for his willingness not only to listen, but also to act, upon 
the concerns of U.S. farmers and ranchers during the negotiations. Many 
others at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative deserve my thanks 
as well.
  I commend my colleagues on the Finance Committee for their interest 
in seeing that the agreement was concluded and that the implementing 
bill was passed. I would like to extend a special thanks to the ranking 
member of the Committee, Mr. Baucus. We have worked together over the 
years to expand trade to the benefit of U.S. workers, farmers, and 
consumers, and I am pleased with the outcome of our current efforts 
with the passage of this implementing bill.
  My staff on the Finance Committee has worked diligently over the past 
weeks on the implementing bill and other materials connected with it. 
My goal was to have this legislation passed prior to the August recess, 
and they were instrumental in making this happen. Moreover, my Finance 
Committee staff was engaged in consultations with officials from the 
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative throughout the negotiations, 
which began way back in March 2003, so this has been a long process for 
them. I greatly appreciate their hard work.
  My Chief Counsel and Staff Director, Kolan Davis, deserves 
recognition. His talent in managing many legislative issues, including 
trade, is readily apparent.
  The Chief International Trade Counsel of the Committee, Everett 
Eissenstat, worked tirelessly to see that the passage of this 
legislation would actually occur, so today's vote is yet another 
testament to his skills. I would also like to thank the rest of my 
trade staff--David Johanson, Stephen Schaefer, Dan Shepherdson, and 
Zach Paulsen--for all of their hard work and dedication to the Finance 
Committee's work and to the people of Iowa.
  Mr. Baucus's Finance Committee staff also deserves recognition. Russ 
Sullivan and Bill Dauster, respectively staff director and deputy staff 
director of Mr. Baucus's Finance Committee staff, worked well with my 
staff throughout the process.
  I also appreciate the efforts of Tom Punke--Mr. Baucus's chief 
international trade counsel--and Sara Andrews, Shara Aranoff, John 
Gilliland, Pascal Niedermann, and Brian Pomper.
  Finally, I would like to thank Polly Craighill of the office of the 
Senate Legislative Counsel for the many hours she put into drafting the 
implementing bill. Without her patience, hard work, and skills, today's 
vote would not have been possible.
  I look forward to the signing of this legislation into law by 
President Bush.

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