    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [March 12, 2008]
    [Pages 354-361]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
    March 12, 2008

        Gracias. Thank you. Sientese. Gracias mi amigo, David. Thank you for having me back yet again to speak.
    This is an opportunity de practicar mi Espanol. [Laughter] Of course, a
    lot of people say I ought to be spending more time practicing my
    English. [Laughter] But I'm thrilled to be with you.
        I really love the entrepreneurial spirit in all communities. And
    it's evident in the Latino community. As you know, I'm blessed to be a
    Texan, and I got to see firsthand, as Governor, the unbelievable
    initiative and drive of Hispanics who lived in my State. And it's the
    same thing all across the country. And so part of the purpose for me to
    come is to thank you for your helping others realize the blessings of
    owning a small business; thanks for creating jobs, thanks for setting
    good examples, and thanks for being my friend.
        David, as you know, I've been to the
    Hispanic Chamber, I think this is my third time, but I know a lot of you
    personally. And this may be my farewell address to the Hispanic Chamber
    as President, but it's

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    certainly not going to be my farewell to you as a friend.
        I thank not only David but Augie
    Martinez. I thank the directors of the
    Hispanic Chamber. I thank my old buddy, Hector Barreto, who is here with us, who--[applause]--Michael
    Barrera, thank you both. Appreciate you,
    Miguel.
        And then there are members of my Cabinet who have come because today
    I'm going to discuss with you a very serious issue, an issue that
    matters a lot to your future and the future of this country. And so I
    welcome Secretary of Defense Bob Gates,
    Secretary of the Treasury Hank Paulson, Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer, Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez. Elaine Chao, Secretary of
    Labor, is with us. Susan Schwab of the
    USTR--Trade Representative is with us. This is not a Cabinet meeting.
    [Laughter]
        These are people who are here to put an exclamation point on the
    subject I'm going to discuss with you today. And so I thank you all for
    coming. I appreciate your time.
        I also want to welcome Carolina Barco, who is the Ambassador from Colombia, and other
    members of the diplomatic corps that have joined us.
        A lot has changed since I first spoke to this group. I had to face
    some very difficult spending decisions, and I've had to conduct
    sensitive diplomacy. That's called planning for a wedding. [Laughter] La
    boda--[laughter]--de mi ninita. [Laughter]
        I really appreciate the fact that we work together. I just want to
    review a couple of issues that have made a difference. First of all, we
    worked together to launch a period of sustained economic growth. I
    remember meeting with some right after the attacks, and we were
    wondering whether or not our economy could withstand a terrorist attack.
    After all, a recession was in place just as I came into office; then the
    terrorists attacked; then we had corporate scandals.
        And a lot of folks were wondering whether or not this economy would
    be resilient enough to withstand those pressures. And it turns out, it
    was. And I want to thank you very much for supporting the tax cuts plans
    that had good effect on small businesses all across the United States
    during that period of time. I think when people take a look back at this
    moment in our economic history, they'll recognize tax cuts work. They
    have made a difference.
        And this is what we're doing again. We've entered another period of
    difficult times. I am confident in the long term for the United States
    economy. I know we're resilient. I know we're entrepreneurial. I know
    we'll withstand these times. I want to thank you for supporting the
    economic stimulus package that we passed, which provides strong
    incentives for small businesses to expand and will put money into the
    pockets of the people who earned it.
        Secretary Paulson has assured me--
    and I--he's a can-do guy--that the checks will be coming into the mail
    in the second week of May. The other thing I do want to assure you of is
    that if Congress tries to raise taxes, I'm going to veto it. We don't
    need tax increases.
        I appreciate your strong support on No Child Left Behind. We agreed
    that a system that just simply moves children through without measuring
    is inexcusable. You recognized early that many Latino kids were denied,
    you know, the great promise of America because they didn't get the good
    education that we expect. And so we confronted this business about
    giving up on kids early. We demand accountability. We spent more money.
    But in return for the increased money, we expect schools to measure, and
    we expect schools to correct problems early, before it's too late.
        No Child Left Behind is working. We've measured. Fourth grade--
    Hispanic fourth graders have set new records when it comes to reading
    and math. So rather than weakening No Child Left Behind, the United
    States Congress needs to strengthen

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    No Child Left Behind for the sake of all our children. And I want to
    thank you for your support.
        A Federal contracting process is open to more small and minority-
    owned businesses, thanks to our SBA guys who have been running the show,
    Steve and Hector. And we'll continue that practice of making sure that
    there's fairness when it comes to Federal contracting.
        I appreciate your support on immigration law. I'm sorry that--
    [applause]--you know, I'm disappointed that Congress missed a good
    opportunity to uphold our values and uphold our laws at the same time.
    And I'm confident that the day will come when a President signs an
    immigration bill that secures our borders, respect our laws, and treats
    people with dignity.
        And now I want to discuss trade with you. It's a sensitive subject
    in America, and it's an important subject. As business leaders, you
    understand that breaking down barriers to trade and investment creates
    opportunities for our workers, for American workers and employees and
    employers and consumers. We--trade adds to our prosperity, but as
    importantly, it adds to the prosperity of our trading partners. We want
    people who are interested in our goods and services to do well
    economically. We believe that the world benefits when prosperity is
    abundant throughout the world.
        Trade also serves a broader strategic purpose. When we enter into
    free trade agreements, we reinforce commitments to democracy and
    transparency and rule of law. By promoting a future of freedom and
    progress and hope, we create an alternative vision to those of the
    terrorists and extremists who prey on societies trapped in poverty and
    despair. In other words, trade helps democracies flourish; it helps
    enhance prosperity. And that helps us in our national security concerns.
        My administration has made expanding trade a high priority. When I
    took office, America had free trade agreements in force with just three
    nations. Isn't that interesting? Just three countries. Today, we have
    agreements in force with 14, and Congress recently approved another one
    with Peru. Three more agreements are on Congress's agenda this year:
    Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. All three are important, and the
    agreement with Colombia is especially urgent.
        For more than a year, my administration has worked with both parties
    in Congress to seek a path to bring this agreement up for approval. We
    continue to stand ready to negotiate a bipartisan way forward. But time
    is running out, and we must not allow delay to turn into inaction. The
    Colombia agreement is pivotal to America's national security and
    economic interests right now, and it is too important to be held up by
    politics. There needs to be a vote on Colombia this year.
        And that means that Members of the Congress must be ready to move
    forward with the agreement when they return from the Easter recess.
    Members of both parties should work with this administration to bring
    legislation to implement the Colombia agreement to the floor for
    approval. And they need to get the job done and get a bill to my desk.
        And I'll tell you why: Because this agreement with Colombia will
    advance our national security and economic interests in these ways.
    Colombia is one of our closest allies in the Western Hemisphere. Under
    the leadership of President Uribe,
    Colombia has been a strong and capable partner, a strong and effective
    partner in fighting drugs and crime and terror. Colombia has also
    strengthened its democracy, reformed its economy. It has spoken out
    against anti-Americanism. This Government has made hard choices that
    deserves the admiration and the gratitude of the United States.
        These actions have required courage, and they've come with costs. As
    we speak, Colombia is under assault from a terrorist network known as
    the FARC, which aims to overthrow Colombia's democracy and aims to
    impose a Marxist vision on the country.

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    The FARC pursues this objective through bombing, hostage-taking, and
    assassination, much of it funded by drug trafficking. Since 2003,
    attacks by the FARC have killed or injured more than 1,500 civilians.
    Last summer, the FARC executed 11 Colombian lawmakers after holding them
    captive for 5 years. And the FARC continues to use jungle camps to hold
    hundreds of kidnaped victims, including three
    U.S. citizens.
        President Uribe has waged an
    aggressive campaign against FARC terrorists, who do not respect national
    sovereignty or borders. Earlier this month, Colombian forces killed one
    of FARC's most senior leaders, a man believed to be responsible for
    trafficking cocaine and murdering hundreds of people.
        And the response to all this action reveals the challenges that
    Colombia faces. The President of Venezuela
    praised the terrorist leader as a good revolutionary and ordered his
    troops to the Colombian border. This is the latest step in a disturbing
    pattern of provocative behavior by the regime in Caracas. It has also
    called for FARC terrorists to be recognized as a legitimate army, and
    senior regime officials have met with FARC leaders in Venezuela.
        As it tries to expand its influence in Latin America, the regime
    claims to promote social justice. In truth, its agenda amounts to little
    more than empty promises and a thirst for power. It has squandered its
    oil wealth in an effort to promote its hostile, anti-American vision.
    And it has left its own citizens to face food shortages, while it
    threatens its neighbors.
        The stakes are high in South America. As the recent standoff in the
    Andes shows, the region is facing an increasingly stark choice: to
    quietly accept the vision of the terrorists and the demagogues or to
    actively support democratic leaders like President Uribe. I've made my choice. I'm standing with courageous
    leadership that believes in freedom and peace. And I believe when the
    American people hear the facts, they will make their choice and stand
    with a person who loves liberty and freedom.
        And there is no clearer sign of our support than a free trade
    agreement. This agreement would help President Uribe show his people that democracy leads to tangible
    benefits. This agreement would help create new jobs in Colombia, which
    would make it harder to recruit people to violence and terrorism and
    drug trafficking. The agreement would signal to the region that
    America's commitment to free markets and free people is unshakable.
        And now it calls on Congress to decide whether this agreement will
    take effect. People across the hemisphere are watching. They are waiting
    to see what Congress will do.
        Some Members of Congress have raised concerns over the situation in
    Colombia. Again and again, President Uribe has responded decisively. He's responded to concerns
    about violence by demobilizing tens of thousands of paramilitary
    fighters. He's responded to concerns about attacks on trade unionists by
    stepping up funding for prosecutions, establishing an independent
    prosecutors unit, and creating a special program to protect labor
    activists. He's responded to concerns over labor and environmental
    standards by revising the free trade agreement to include some of the
    most rigorous protections of any agreement in history. As one Democratic
    House Member put it, ``It's impossible for someone to go to Colombia and
    not be impressed with the strides they have made.'' Ladies and
    gentlemen, if this isn't enough to earn America's support, then what is?
        If Congress were to reject the agreement with Colombia, we would
    validate antagonists in Latin America who would say that the America
    cannot be trusted to stand by its friends. We would cripple our
    influence in the region and make other nations less likely to cooperate
    with us in the future. We would betray one of our closest friends in our
    own backyard.

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        In the words of Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada, ``If the U.S. turns its back on its
    friends in Colombia, this will set back our cause far more than any
    Latin American dictator could hope to achieve.'' Congress needs to
    listen to those wise words as they consider this important bill. Members
    of both parties should come together. Members of both parties should
    demonstrate their support for freedom in our hemisphere. And members of
    both parties should prove the--approve the Colombian free trade
    agreement.
        These strategic benefits are not the only reason for Congress to
    approve our trade agreement with Colombia. The agreement will also bring
    economic gains for both countries. Today, virtually all exports from
    Colombia enter into the United States duty free, but U.S. exports to
    Colombia face tariffs up to 35 percent. Now think about that. Goods
    coming from Colombia to us enter our country virtually duty free, and
    yet goods going from the United States to Colombia are taxed.
        Now, doesn't it make sense to pass an agreement that says, the
    Colombians will treat us the way we treat them? If you're a farmer or
    interested in exporting construction equipment or aircraft and auto
    parts or medical and scientific equipment, your goods will now go into
    Colombia duty free, which means you're more likely to be able to sell
    your goods into Colombia. And if you're working for one of those
    companies, it means you're more likely to be able to keep your job.
        I can't understand a mentality that doesn't recognize that causing
    America to be treated equally is not in our interests. It is in our
    interests. Every day that Congress goes without approving this agreement
    is a day that our businesses, large and small, become less competitive.
    It's missed opportunity.
        This agreement is especially important during a difficult period for
    our economy. Listen, last year, exports accounted for more than 40
    percent of growth. Doesn't it make sense to open up markets, to continue
    to grow our economy with good exports? I think it does. And this is an
    opportunity for the United States Congress to send a clear message that
    they are concerned, like I'm concerned, about the state of our economy.
    They, like me, want to provide opportunities for our producers and our
    workers to be able to find new markets and expanded markets for U.S.
    goods and services.
        This agreement will also benefit Colombia. It will give Colombian
    exporters the certainty that comes with permanent access. This will help
    stimulate investment and economic growth and higher standards of living
    for families in Colombia. And it will make it clear to the Colombian
    people, we're partners in prosperity, and we're partners in peace.
        The time is coming when Members will get to vote yes or no. My
    administration is committed to working this agreement hard on the floor
    of the Congress. I firmly believe it is in our interests that this be
    passed. It's not in our political interests. We ought to just put
    politics aside and focus on what's best for the United States of
    America. And what is best for our country is to get this agreement
    approved soon.
        Congress also ought to approve the other two trade agreements on
    their agenda after they approve this one. Congress needs to approve the
    trade agreement with Panama, which will open up U.S. access to one of
    the fastest growing economies in Central America and support a key
    democratic partner. Congress also needs to approve the free trade
    agreement with South Korea, which has the potential to boost U.S.
    exports by more than $10 billion while strengthening a key ally.
        As Congress moves forward with these agreements, we will continue to
    press for an ambitious, successful Doha round at the WTO. We're prepared
    to lead to ensure Doha reaches a successful conclusion. We understand
    the role of the United States. We're not going to shirk our duty to
    lead.

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    But we're not going to make unilateral concessions either. We want
    negotiations to come from--as a result of meaningful contributions by
    all folks. That's how you reach a successful round.
        And so we challenged our trading partners to help forge a deal that
    opens up global trade flows and creates new opportunities for developed
    and developing nations alike. Our view is, the time for debating Doha is
    over. Now is the time for leaders to make tough choices that will allow
    these negotiations to advance.
        Look, I know a lot of folks are worried about trade. There's
    neighbors worrying about neighbors losing jobs. People say, ``Well,
    trade causes us to lose jobs.'' And I fully understand that. Sometimes
    trade causes people to lose jobs. Sometimes the fact that technology
    hasn't advanced as rapidly or the productivity of workers isn't as good
    as it should be has caused people to lose jobs.
        But nevertheless, there is that concern. And so my question to the
    American people is, what's the best way to respond? One option is to
    stop trade, erect barriers, try to wall ourselves off from the world.
    Those costs of isolationist policies and protectionist policies would
    far exceed any possible benefit. Closing off our markets would drive up
    prices for American families. Making it harder for people to sell goods
    in our country would deny families choices that they've been used to. We
    want our consumers to have choices when they walk into markets. The more
    choices available, the better it is for a consumer. The more competition
    it is for a product, the less likely it is price will rise.
        The other nations would retaliate, by the way, if they saw the
    United States throwing up barriers, and that would push jobs overseas
    faster. It could hurt millions of Americans who go to work each morning,
    who work for companies that rely upon exports or companies that rely
    upon foreign capital as their base of operations.
        You know, some have called for a timeout from trade. I guess that's
    probably popular with the focus group. You know, they toss out the word
    ``timeout'' from trade. It's got this kind of catchy little title to it.
    In the 21st century, a timeout from trade would be a timeout from
    growth, a timeout from jobs, and a timeout from good results. And
    retreating from the opportunities of the global economy would be a
    reckless mistake that our country cannot afford.
        And there's a better answer. And one of them shows faith in the
    American workers instead of trying to stand against the growth of global
    trade, instead of granting other people access to markets that we
    ourselves could have. Instead of squandering an opportunity, why don't
    we help educate people? Why don't we provide educational opportunities
    so workers will have the skills necessary to fill the high-paying jobs
    of the 21st century?
        One reason I mentioned No Child Left Behind is, it's got to--this
    program has got to start early, and it is. We're setting high standards
    and measuring and correcting problems early, before it's too late. But
    there's more we can do. We provided more than a billion dollars for new
    initiatives to educate and prepare workers for the jobs of the 21st
    century. Yesterday Secretary Chao announced
    more than $100 million in new community-based job training grants. In
    other words, we're focusing money to help people get the skills
    necessary to fill the jobs that are available in America. And when you
    get education, you're a more productive worker, which means you're going
    to get paid more money. That's what that means.
        These grants support community college programs--I'm a big supporter
    of community colleges--that provide training for jobs in high-growth
    fields. And that's our strategy. Now, the word you'll hear attached to
    that is trade adjustment assistance. That's another program aimed at
    helping people get the skills necessary to find work. We

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    support it. We support reforming and reauthorizing the vital program as
    a key component of trade policy. And I look forward to working with
    Congress to sign a good bill that I can sign into law.
        These agreements that I've talked about deserve support from both
    sides of the aisle. And today I want to make a direct appeal to the
    members of the Democratic Party. From Franklin Roosevelt to John F.
    Kennedy to Bill Clinton, Democrats have a
    long history of supporting trade. Opening markets has been a history and
    a cornerstone of Democratic policy. As President Clinton said when he
    signed legislation to implement NAFTA 14 years ago, ``We're on the verge
    of a global economic expansion that is sparked by the fact that the
    United States, at this critical moment, decided we would compete and not
    retreat.'' I fully support those strong words, those confident words,
    those optimistic words about America's ability to compete in the world.
    Thanks in part to the market-opening set in motion by the President,
    trade between the United States, Mexico, and Canada has more than
    tripled since 1993.
        I mean, I know there's a lot of criticism of NAFTA, but I will tell
    you this: I grew up in Texas; I remember what the border was like. And I
    would ask people to go down to that border today and see the benefits,
    the mutual benefits of what trade has meant for people who, on both
    sides of the border, for years grew up in abject poverty. We may have
    some south Texans here today, and if you're old enough, you know exactly
    what I'm talking about.
        The transformation has been remarkable because both sides have
    benefited. Both sides have realized the blessings of trade, as has
    Canada. All three of our economies, by the way, since that agreement was
    signed, have grown by more than 50 percent. More than 25 million new
    jobs have been created in the United States. The unemployment rate is
    lower than in previous decades. Workers, farmers, entrepreneurs have
    seen real improvements in their daily lives, including many Hispanic-
    owned businesses on both sides of the border.
        Listen, NAFTA has worked. People shouldn't back away from NAFTA.
    It's been a positive development for a lot of people. And if you're
    worried about people coming to our country to find jobs, there's no
    better way to help somebody stay home than for there to be prosperity in
    their neighborhood. I'm convinced most people don't want to try to sneak
    into America to work. I'm convinced most people would rather have a job
    close to their--close to where they live. And trade helps increase
    prosperity. It's mutually beneficial for Canada, the United States, and
    America--I mean, and Mexico.
        Now, look, I understand supporting free trade agreements is not
    politically easy. There are a lot of special interest groups that are
    willing to spend a lot of money to make somebody's life miserable when
    it comes to supporting free trade agreements. But I believe leadership
    requires people rising above this empty, hollow political rhetoric. If
    you're committed to multilateral diplomacy, you cannot support
    unilateral withdrawal from trade agreements. If you're worried--
    [applause]--if you are worried about America's image in the world, it
    makes no sense to disappoint the nations that are counting on us most.
    If you care about lifting developing nations out of poverty, you cannot
    deny them access to the world's greatest engine of economic growth. If
    you're truly optimistic about our country's future, there's no reason to
    wall our Nation off from the opportunities of the world.
        I appreciate your efforts in these matters. I feel strongly that
    trade is in our national interests. I know it's in your personal
    interests if you're businesspeople. Of course, as you prosper, people
    are more likely to find work. After all, 70 percent of the new jobs in
    America are created by small-business owners just like those present
    here.
        I believe Congress will do the right thing. When it's all said and
    done, they'll

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    take a hard look at the facts. They will take a look at the consequences
    of rejecting a trade agreement with our close ally. They'll take a good
    look at the consequences of sending the wrong message to the false
    populists of the region. They'll take a simple, logical look at how this
    can benefit our farmers and small-business owners and employers.
        Thanks for helping us work the issue. Thanks for giving me a chance
    to come and speak to you. May God bless you, and may God bless our
    country.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:41 a.m. at the Ronald Reagan Building
    and International Trade Center. In his remarks, he referred to David C.
    Lizarraga, chair, Augustine Martinez, interim president and chief
    executive officer, and Michael L. Barrera, former president and chief
    executive officer, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Hector V. Barreto,
    former Administrator, Small Business Administration; Marc Gonsalves,
    Thomas Howes, and Keith Stansell, hostages held by the Revolutionary
    Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC); and President Hugo Chavez Frias of
    Venezuela.