[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          U.S. SERVICES SECTOR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GREGORY W. MEEKS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2012

  Mr. MEEKS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring to the attention of my 
colleagues an important matter for the U.S. economy: Services. I am 
pleased that there have been several important discussions this week on 
the topic of the U.S. services sector. This week the Coalition of 
Service Industries hosted the Global Services Summit, the Global 
Services Coalition met, and House Ways and Means held a hearing on the 
benefits of expanding U.S. services trade through an International 
Services Agreement.
  As co-chair of the Congressional Services Caucus, I hope my 
colleagues will join me and the 63 members of the caucus as we continue 
to push for greater awareness of the importance of the services 
industry to our nation's economic wellbeing. Services make up the 
majority of the workforce in every congressional district.
  Services jobs accounted for over 83 percent of U.S. private sector 
employment, and U.S. services exports in 2011 reached $588 billion with 
a surplus of $193.5 billion--a new annual record. We have a good story 
to tell.
  Congress must be on the forefront in the effort to break down 
barriers and increase market access for the services sector. We cannot 
relent until this sector gets the respect it deserves at the WTO, in 
bilateral and multilateral agreements and beyond.
  I know that in my hometown, New York City, services are the lifeblood 
of the economy. Services in our city account for the bulk of private 
sector employment, and financial services are particularly critical. 
The strength of New York's services industry isn't just a benefit to 
New York. There is a multiplier effect in the U.S., and globally. We 
know that other sectors like manufacturing and agriculture benefit when 
the services industry is strong. We also know that nations with whom we 
are interdependent benefit when the services industry is strong.
  One of the best champions for U.S. services is Bob Vastine. Bob 
Vastine was president of the Coalition of Service Industries for 16 
years. This week marked the passing of the torch from Bob to Peter 
Allgeier who has been a champion for U.S. trade in his own right. Peter 
and the team at CSI are great partners in the Congressional Services 
Caucus' mission to raise awareness about the critical issues that 
impact the services sector.
  The work of CSI was on display this week during the Global Services 
Summit. The entire lineup was on the pulse of the issues we are 
considering in Congress. TPP, the EU-US high level working group, cross 
border trade, restrictions on services trade--India--China--all right 
on the pulse. I commend CSI, the Global Services Coalition, and my 
colleagues on Ways and Means for making this a great week for U.S. 
services.
  I wish my friend Bob Vastine best of luck in his future endeavors. 
I'm confident that whatever they may be, they will encompass his 
passion and commitment to advancing the U.S. services sector and in so 
doing advance us all. Godspeed.

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