[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 21, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H4806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE POSITIVE IMPLICATIONS OF CAFTA
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of
January 4, 2005, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) is
recognized during morning hour debates for 1 minute.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, it is critical for us to recognize
the positive, far-reaching implications of CAFTA.
CAFTA is not solely about trade, it is about lives. It is about
promoting U.S. national security objectives in our own backyard. By
strengthening our allies, our neighboring countries, we are helping to
strengthen our own efforts to fight the scourge of terrorism. Free
markets and economic development are the best weapons against tyranny,
against poverty and against disease.
CAFTA will promote democratic governance, thus advancing stability
and consolidating freely-elected governments who are allies in the war
against drugs and the War on Terror. Failure to pass CAFTA in Congress
will cripple our efforts to freeze out narco-terrorist gangs and others
who threaten our national security.
Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support CAFTA. A vote for
CAFTA is a vote for our U.S. national security interests.
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