[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 17]
[House]
[Page 23320]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY

  (Mr. KNOLLENBERG asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, leadership is only proven through 
action, and throughout its history the United States has proven itself 
to be a leader. But as we lead the world in an effort to eradicate 
terrorism, we risk abdicating our position of leadership in an area 
that is just as vital to America's well-being and that is international 
trade.
  With more than 130 trade agreements in effect in the world today, it 
is shocking that in the U.S. we are a party to only three. National 
security and economic security are not mutually exclusive. Exports 
strengthen our country by creating jobs and strengthening the economy. 
The jobs stay here and the exports go overseas. One in 10 Americans 
work in jobs that depend on exports. One in 10. And those jobs pay 
between 13 and 18 percent more than the national average.
  America must lead in international trade in order to effectively lead 
the world. Fortunately, 1 week from today, December 6, Congress has a 
chance to pick up the mantle of leadership by passing trade promotion 
authority.
  I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting TPA, trade 
promotion authority.

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