[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 161 (Thursday, December 15, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H11658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              TRADE POLICY

  (Mr. FOLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. FOLEY. Madam Speaker, I enjoyed my colleague's tirade on trade. 
He says there is too much coming in, but they consistently vote against 
any going out. They do not assist us in the trade policy that will 
bring balance to trade.
  What have we done positively? Let us talk a little bit about the 
economy. GDP is up. The stock market is nearing 11,000. Not since 9/11 
have we seen such a robust economy. Consumer confidence is up. Gas 
prices are subsiding. Unemployment in Florida and the Nation is the 
lowest it has been in decades; and the Nation is at an all-time high in 
prosperity index. We have had job creation; and, yes, we have had tax 
relief, giving people their own money back to spend in their 
communities. That is leadership.
  If you listen to the other side of the aisle, it is a pity party, it 
is pessimism, it is negativity, and it seems to spawn itself to a 
defeatist attitude whether it is about the war in Iraq, or the health 
of our economy. We have got a lot to boast about, and I think it is 
important that national leaders stand up and talk about the great 
things that are happening in this country. I applaud what we have done. 
Reflective in the numbers we have shown leadership, the Nation is 
stronger than ever, our economy is better than ever, and I think we all 
ought to wish people a Merry Christmas as we head into a prosperous 
season.

                          ____________________