[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4644]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     ENCOURAGING SUPPORT FOR THE COLOMBIA TRADE PROMOTION AGREEMENT

  (Mr. BRADY of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, what is this Congress thinking? 
Why would we turn our back on Colombia, and then turn our back on 
America's own farmers and manufacturers and small businesses?
  Colombia is one of our strongest allies in our neighborhood, in our 
neighborhood, fighting terrorism, reducing kidnappings, turning down 
violence in a very tough neighborhood. They need and want the support 
of the United States of America, and we are rejecting that support. 
Yet, today, Colombia is able to sell its products and goods into 
America. When we try to do the same for our farmers or our 
manufacturers or our small businesses, we are not allowed to.
  The U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement changes that. It makes sure we 
send the signal to the world that we stand with our allies who stand 
for democracy and rule of law. We are also saying we want two-way 
trade. We want the ability to sell our products overseas.
  This Congress needs to not turn its back on Colombia, and give us an 
up-or-down vote on that trade agreement this year.

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