[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 178 (Thursday, December 3, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12332-S12333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KERRY (for himself, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Kaufman, Mrs. 
        Gillibrand, and Mr. Menendez):
  S. 2835. A bill to reduce global warming pollution through 
international climate finance, investment, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Foreign Relations.

[[Page S12333]]

  Mr. KAUFMAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to join the Chairman of the 
Foreign Relations Committee and my colleagues to introduce an important 
piece of legislation, the International Climate Change Investment Act 
of 2009. Climate change is a global issue and only a concerted 
international response can succeed. This legislation provides key 
elements of an international deal that will both protect our planet and 
meet our Nation's international responsibilities. Even more importantly 
in these times, it will open the door to a green economy that can 
create jobs here for the markets abroad for clean energy goods and 
services.
  Successful global climate negotiations will create the opportunity 
for us to transform our own economy, to free ourselves from dependence 
on fossil fuels from foreign sources, and to create the jobs and 
markets for a new, sustainable economy.
  This legislation establishes a new framework for a global market in 
clean energy technologies. A complete agenda to confront climate change 
will include support for our educational base and for the research, 
development, and deployment of clean technologies. A climate deal that 
moves us away from fossil fuels will create global demand for those 
technologies. Building capacity and encouraging dramatic change in 
other countries will create a pool of customers for America's 
innovators.
  That global market offers us the best chance to create a new economy 
based on a growing demand for clean energy goods and services--and that 
will support job creation and profits here at home. Companies in my 
home state of Delaware and across America are ready and eager to seize 
this opportunity for a world's worth of new markets. Our smartest 
investors agree.
  This legislation shows the rest of the world that we are ready to do 
our part to make a smart, effective, and fair international climate 
change agreement work. It sets us on a firm forward footing to lead the 
way in tomorrow's green economy.

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