[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 87 (Thursday, June 10, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            STATEMENT ON BUSINESS LEADERS LETTER TO CONGRESS

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                           HON. AARON SCHOCK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 10, 2010

  Mr. SCHOCK. Madam Speaker, I was recently contacted by over 50 U.S. 
Business leaders who all support an appropriate Foreign Affairs budget 
which will help the U.S. stay competitive globally and ultimately 
produce more jobs domestically. I am pleased to see that the business 
community has joined a number of non-profits who have come out in 
support of providing assistance abroad to help us reach our goals at 
home. Please see their letter below:

                  Business Leaders Letter to Congress

                                                     June 8, 2010.
       Dear Member of Congress: We are writing to urge your 
     support for the International Affairs Budget and its 
     important investments that help spur U.S. economic growth. 
     The importance of the International Affairs Budget's 
     development and diplomacy programs to U.S. national security 
     and our moral leadership is well recognized. However, the 
     vital role these programs play in creating American jobs and 
     trade is not fully appreciated.
       Now more than ever, America's economy is linked with global 
     trade and economic growth. Over the past 40 years, trade has 
     tripled as a share of our national economy. Today, 1 out of 5 
     American jobs are tied to international trade. America's 
     fastest growing markets--representing roughly half of U.S. 
     exports--are developing countries. Export promotion programs 
     funded by the International Affairs Budget are essential to 
     expanding U.S. trade in these emerging markets and are 
     indispensable to reaching President Obama's goal of doubling 
     exports within five years.
       U.S. businesses and entrepreneurs benefit significantly 
     from programs in the International Affairs Budget that 
     provide technical assistance, identify business 
     opportunities, and build stronger legal and economic policy 
     regimes that help developing countries become more reliable 
     trading partners. The International Affairs Budget is 
     critical to promoting U.S. exports, protecting intellectual 
     property rights, and advocating for American businesses 
     abroad.
       The International Affairs Budget is a fundamental tool for 
     advancing U.S. economic and strategic interests around the 
     world. That is why we urge you to support the President's FY 
     2011 request for the International Affairs Budget. 
     Representing less than 1.5% of the total federal budget, it 
     is a smart economic investment in a stronger and more 
     prosperous future for American workers and businesses.
           Sincerely,
         Aerospace Industries Association (AIA); Amway 
           Corporation; Amgen; ARD; Biotechnology Industry 
           Organization; Boeing; Business Council for 
           International Understanding; Business Roundtable; 
           Campbell Soup Company; Cargill; Caterpillar; Chevron; 
           Cisco Systems; Inc.; Citigroup; Coalition for 
           Employment through Exports; Computer and Communications 
           Industry Association; Corporate Council on Africa; 
           Creative Associates International; DAI; DHL; DuPont; 
           Eli Lilly and Company; FMC Corporation; General 
           Electric Corporation; GlaxoSmithKline; Google; John 
           Deere; Johnson & Johnson; Kraft Foods; Land O'Lakes; 
           Lockheed Martin Corporation; Mars; Microsoft; Motorola; 
           National Foreign Trade Council; National Retail 
           Federation; Northrop Grumman Corporation; Pioneer Hi-
           Bred International; Pfizer; Procter & Gamble; PhRMA; 
           Raytheon; RTI; Seaboard Corporation; Thales USA; Inc.; 
           United Technologies Corporation; UPS; U.S. Chamber of 
           Commerce; U.S.-Russia Business Council; Wal-Mart; 
           Xerox.

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