[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 152 (Wednesday, October 12, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H6792]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               FREE AMERICA TO TRADE FREELY WITH COLOMBIA

  (Mr. POE of Texas asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the House today will vote on a jobs 
plan that will create thousands of jobs for Americans. I'm talking 
about the pending free trade agreement with Colombia that has been 
waiting for years to be voted on.
  In my great home State of Texas, new jobs will be created in the 
exporting sectors like petroleum, chemicals, and machinery. Texas is 
the number one State that exports to Colombia, but in my district 
alone, the 22 companies that exported to Colombia last year paid almost 
$12 million in unnecessary tariffs. When tariffs on these products are 
removed, United States companies will be able to expand their markets, 
export more products, and create American jobs; and America will become 
more of a competitive country in the international marketplace.
  I've been to Colombia, and unlike some South Americans, Colombians 
like Americans. They are a U.S. ally. Free trade with Colombia helps 
both nations and solidifies our joint interests in South America. This 
agreement is a diplomatic win to help thwart the influence of dictator 
Chavez of Venezuela in that region.
  Create jobs. Pass the free trade agreement with Colombia. It's good 
for Americans, and it's good for Colombians.
  And that's just the way it is.

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