[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15413]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  EXPANDING TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY

  (Mr. LINDER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, ``We rail at 
trade, but the historian of the world will see that it was the 
principle of liberty; that it settled America, and destroyed feudalism, 
and made peace and keeps peace.'' I could not agree more.
  Trade is not just about exports and imports. It is not solely about 
opening new markets to American technology and services. Instead, trade 
is about harnessing the growth and innovation of the American 
marketplace to improve the quality of life both domestically and 
internationally.
  Trade promotion authority in turn further enables the exchange of 
services, goods and services, ideas and information. TPA requires a 
collaborative partnership between the President and the Congress 
allowing Congress to share concerns, priorities and goals before and 
throughout negotiations. The House is allowed to express its interest 
in issues whether they relate to environment or labor that otherwise 
might not be considered during the negotiation process at all.
  The United States must lead by example. On trade, however, we are far 
behind. Of the more than 130 trade agreements worldwide, the United 
States is party to only two. TPA will enable the President and the 
Congress to reverse this trend and ensure that our exports reach the 
outside world along with our outlook and ideals.

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