[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 152 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  UNITED STATES-COLOMBIA TRADE PROMOTION AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ACT

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                               speech of

                        HON. ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 11, 2011

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the 
U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.
  After having waited for four years since this agreement was first 
signed, the time has finally come for Congress to vote to approve it.
  This agreement is good for Colombia but is even better for the United 
States.
  According to the International Trade Commission, the U.S.-Colombia 
Free Trade Agreement will expand exports of U.S. goods by more than $1 
billion dollars every year, which will allow businesses to create 
thousands of new jobs for those Americans who are struggling to find 
one.
  In South Florida, Colombia is already our second largest trading 
partner.
  Our two largest economic engines are the Port of Miami and Miami 
International Airport, both of which will benefit tremendously from the 
increase in trade with Colombia.
  In 2010, Colombia was the 10th largest trading partner with the Port 
of Miami, with bilateral trade worth $6.8 billion.
  And 96 percent of the flowers that are sent to the U.S. from Colombia 
come through Miami International Airport, which helps support tens of 
thousands of jobs related to the airport and several aviation 
industries.
  These figures will grow rapidly once this agreement has been 
approved.
  But there is more at stake here than increased trade.
  Colombia has been a strong democracy and a steadfast ally in a region 
where U.S. interests are under assault.
  We have jointly battled narco-terrorists, leftist guerrillas, and the 
aggressive actions of Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez.
  This agreement will strengthen that vital partnership between our two 
nations and demonstrate to our friends and enemies alike that the U.S. 
intends to remain a strong presence in the region.
  Madam Speaker, it is time to put American interests first instead of 
the partisan political considerations that have delayed this agreement 
for four years.
  I strongly encourage my colleagues to vote yes on the U.S.-Colombia 
Free Trade Agreement and allow our businesses to finally begin creating 
the jobs that so many Americans are searching for.

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