[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 17530-17531]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   IN SUPPORT OF FREE TRADE AND CAFTA

  (Mr. HENSARLING asked and was given permission to address the House

[[Page 17531]]

for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, this week Congress will consider the 
Central American Free Trade Agreement, the largest free trade agreement 
in over a decade. I am very proud to support this agreement that will 
create opportunities for the unemployed, increase wages and improve the 
standard of living for American workers.
  According to a study of only 12 States by the U.S. Chamber of 
Commerce, CAFTA would create over 25,000 new jobs in these States in 
the first year alone. According to the American Farm Bureau, CAFTA will 
provide a substantial competitive advantage to U.S. farmers and 
ranchers, boosting agricultural exports by $1.5 billion annually.
  Mr. Speaker, this historic agreement will also help consumers by 
delivering a greater choice of goods at lower prices. Through more 
trade, American families will be able to buy more, using less of their 
paychecks. We have over 200 years of history to prove it.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to reject protectionism and 
instead support jobs, support U.S. farmers, support consumers, and 
support freedom by supporting CAFTA.

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