[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 17529-17530]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   CAFTA BENEFITS AMERICAN BUSINESSES

  (Mr. SHAW asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the United States-
Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement.
  The United States and our neighbors in Central America and the 
Dominican Republic enjoy a healthy trading relationship with over $32.6 
billion worth of goods traded between the United States and the six DR-
CAFTA countries just last year. The agreement will not only increase 
exports and income for United States farmers, manufacturers and 
business, but it also will provide the United States with an 
opportunity to enhance the well-being of millions in Central America.

[[Page 17530]]

  The DR-CAFTA countries are among the poorest in the world. According 
to the World Bank, the average person in Nicaragua makes a mere $710 a 
year. The average person in Costa Rica does a bit better, but still 
only makes $4,070 a year.
  Rather than handouts or loans, the United States can quickly improve 
the well-being of millions of our neighbors by providing the DR-CAFTA 
countries improved access to our vast markets. New business 
opportunities create new jobs, not handouts. In turn, a virtuous circle 
can be created as wealth and income rises along with the demands for 
United States products and services.
  I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on CAFTA. It is good for 
America's business.

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