[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 58 (Monday, April 14, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E602-E603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RELATING TO THE CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5724, UNITED STATES-COLOMBIA 
             TRADE PROMOTIONS AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT

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                               speech of

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2008

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1092, a 
rule to suspend fast track procedures for the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade 
Agreement (FTA). U.S. trade policy should promote democracy based on 
the protection of fundamental human rights. However, by sending the 
Colombia FTA to Congress, President Bush has disregarded the rights of 
workers in Colombia and the needs of working families in the U.S.
  Since the 1980s, more than 2,500 workers have been assassinated in 
Colombia for joining, forming, or leading labor unions. More unionists 
are killed in Colombia each year than the rest of the world combined. 
We should not be engaging in free trade policies with a nation whose 
human rights record is so abysmal.

[[Page E603]]

  Our Nation's economy is struggling. The United States lost a record 
of 80,000 jobs in the month of March alone. The cities in the 32nd 
Congressional District that I represent have seen unemployment rates 
soar to more than 7 percent. In this time of economic turmoil, Congress 
must work to restore the economic security of working- and middle-class 
Americans.
  This rule prioritizes the needs of American workers by removing the 
timeline for House action on this trade agreement. I strongly support 
this rule and urge my colleagues to vote for final passage.

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