[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14877]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CREATION OF THE OFFICE OF THE U.S. TRADE 
                             REPRESENTATIVE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2012

  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, fifty years ago this October, Congress 
directed the President to appoint a Special Representative for Trade 
Negotiations to lead the Administration's efforts to expand global 
trade. As a result, for the past 50 years, the U.S. Trade 
Representative has led the Executive Branch in aggressively opening 
markets to American-made goods and services and promoting economic 
growth and job creation through trade. USTR's leadership has 
contributed in significant ways to the tremendous economic growth that 
the United States enjoyed over the past 50 years and firmly established 
our global economic leadership.
  Across Administrations, USTR has maintained an admirable bipartisan 
and close working relationship with Congress. I've always said that the 
very best people become the U.S. Trade Representative. The 50-year 
history of USTR demonstrates that the men and women who have served as 
the U.S. Trade Representative are strategic thinkers and tough 
negotiators--the kind of intelligent, can-do people who have 
demonstrated their ability to advance our trade agenda. And the 
dedicated USTR employees who serve with them also exhibit that 
intellectual rigor and high caliber. I'm proud of all that they have 
accomplished in opening markets and enforcing our rights under our 
trade agreements.
  USTR is uniquely nimble, lean, and effective. In a world that has 
changed dramatically over the past 50 years, USTR's small size, 
independence, and direct access to the President have been critical to 
its success. With these attributes intact, I am confident that USTR 
will continue to fulfill its mission effectively and commendably for 
the next 50 years.
  Today, I honor USTR on its 50th anniversary, the 16 men and women who 
have served as the U.S. Trade Representative, and the thousands who 
have proudly served under them. I wish USTR the best for another 50 
years.

                          ____________________