[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 152 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            EXTENDING THE GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES

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                               speech of

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 11, 2011

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2832, a 
bill whose consideration by the members of this House is long overdue. 
It is absolutely unconscionable that working Americans displaced by 
trade have had no Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) benefits since the 
beginning of this year. I am ashamed that partisan rhetoric has stalled 
congressional consideration of TAA, once a reliably non-partisan issue. 
In more human terms, my home state of Michigan has weathered the ill 
effects of free trade agreements arguably longer than any other state 
in the union. Thousands of displaced workers in my district have relied 
on TAA to start their careers over in fields like nursing, alternative 
energy, an information technology. These workers have experienced 
first-hand the benefits of TAA and understand--as I do--the value the 
program brings to communities across the country.
  In closing, I call on my colleagues to vote in support of H.R. 2832 
and stand up for the American families all over the country to whom 
free trade has been less than fair. And when we finish voting on this 
measure, I urge everyone on both sides of Capitol Hill--Republicans and 
Democrats alike--to take the country's best interests to heart and pass 
legislation to create jobs.

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