[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 113 (Friday, July 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1979-E1980]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     EXPRESSING APPRECIATION OF CANADIAN FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 22, 2009

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by 
thanking Congressman Bart Stupak, for introducing this legislation. 
Every year on July 1st, I look forward to officially celebrating the 
establishment of Canada and all of its wonderful accomplishments. 
Canada has proven to be one of our nation's most trusted allies and as 
a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I personally work closely 
with Canadian officials to ensure the 5,500-mile border that we share 
remains secure. In this era of heightened security, the United States 
and Canada have renewed cooperative efforts to safeguard the movement 
of people and goods, improve information-sharing, and strengthen border 
infrastructure and technology across the border.
  In a world in which too many nations still choose conflict over 
cooperation, and erect barriers instead of bridges, the U.S.-Canadian 
partnership has been and must ever be a model for others, and the 
foundation on which to build a common future. Indeed, our relationship 
is centered on a shared continent, shared values, shared aspirations, 
and real respect for our differences.
  Over the years, our nations have forged the most comprehensive ties 
of any two nations on Earth. They bind not only our governments, but 
also our economies, our cultures, and our people. From NORAD to NAFTA, 
Canadians and Americans have seized opportunities to provide for our 
common security and prosperity. We've tackled tough problems from acid 
rain and water pollution to differences over beer and grain in the 
spirit of friendship and in pragmatism.
  Addressing the Canadian parliament 50 years ago, President Truman 
declared that the success of the U.S.-Canadian relationship was due to 
``one part proximity, and nine parts goodwill and common sense.'' 
Goodwill and common sense remain the foundation of our friendship.
  In Texas, the territory of the Consulate General in Dallas and the 
Canadian Consulate in Houston encompasses five states with over 36 
million people. Bilateral trade with the region is over $30 billion 
each year; therefore I am very aware of how important a strong trade 
relationship is for both countries.
  Specifically the cities of Alberta and Houston share a number of 
distinguishing features which make them sister cities. Over the past 10 
years Alberta has had the strongest economy in Canada, with an average 
rate of growth of 3.7 per cent per year, while Houston continues to 
thrive as the energy capital of the United States. Canada is the U.S.'s 
most important trading partner, with over $570 billion

[[Page E1980]]

dollars in goods and services being traded between the two countries in 
2006. Canada and the U.S. enjoy an interdependent energy relationship, 
trading oil, natural gas, coal, and electricity. Canada has a reported 
178.8 billion barrels of oil reserves as of 2006, second only to Saudi 
Arabia. Over 95% of these reserves are in oil sands deposits in 
Alberta. Moreover, Canadian oil sands in Alberta have made Canada the 
largest exporter of oil to the U.S. and has helped alleviate our 
dependence on foreign sources of oil from parts of the world which 
geopolitically face much more risk than our neighbor to the North. 
Recent proposals by Canadian companies such as Enbridge and Altex to 
build oil pipelines from Alberta to Houston seem very promising, and I 
look forward to the progress they make. These 2,000-mile pipelines, 
which are targeted to be in service by 2010, will send over 500,000 
barrels of oil per day.
  I would like to congratulate Canada on its many accomplishments over 
the years and remain appreciative to the people and Government of 
Canada for their long history of friendship and cooperation with the 
people and Government of the United States.

                          ____________________