IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1562 

Recognizing the importance of trade to job creation and the United States 

economy and calling for the immediate implementation of the United 

States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, United States-Panama 

Free Trade Agreement, and United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 27, 2010 

Mr. MINNICK (for himself, Mr. CUELLAR, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. KIND, 

Mr. CAO, Mr. OLSON, Mr. BOOZMAN, and Mr. REYES) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and 

Means 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the importance of trade to job creation and 

the United States economy and calling for the immediate 

implementation of the United States-Colombia Trade 

Promotion Agreement, United States-Panama Free 

Trade Agreement, and United States-Korea Free Trade 

Agreement. 

Whereas South Korea is the United States’ fourth-largest 

trading partner; 

Whereas Colombia is the United States’ largest agricultural 

market in South America; 


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•HRES 1562 IH 

Whereas Panama is a center of global commerce and trade 

between the United States and Panama amounted to 

$5,500,000,000 in 2008; 

Whereas the United States is Panama’s largest trading partner; 

Whereas the agreement will be a step forward in government 

procurement mechanisms, especially in light of the Panama Canal expansion; 

Whereas the United States International Trade Commission 

estimates that the United States–Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, United States–Panama Free Trade 

Agreement, and United States–Korea Free Trade Agreement, once implemented, would increase annual United 

States exports of goods alone by roughly 

$12,000,000,000; 

Whereas United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk said, 

the pending agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and 

Panama, in particular, ‘‘have value, and when we are 

fighting for every job on the table, we need to get these 

right so we can reap the benefit’’; 

Whereas United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk said, 

‘‘I believe there is enough value in [the pacts with] Panama and Colombia, particularly since we have already 

granted duty-free status to goods’’ from both countries, 

‘‘You just can’t make a credible case to deny us the return investment’’; 

Whereas United States Commerce Secretary Gary Locke 

said, ‘‘This administration will pursue trade agreements 

that are balanced [and] ambitious and improve market 

access for U.S. workers, firms, farmers and ranchers’’; 


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•HRES 1562 IH 

Whereas United States Commerce Secretary Gary Locke 

said, ‘‘Approving [the] pacts [with Colombia, South 

Korea, and Panama] are part of the administration’s 

plan for boosting exports’’; 

Whereas President Barack Obama said, ‘‘We will double our 

exports over the next five years, an increase that will support two million jobs in America’’; 

Whereas President Barack Obama said, ‘‘Those who once 

would oppose any trade agreement now understand that 

there are new markets and new sectors out there that we 

need to break into if we want our workers to get ahead’’; 

Whereas President Barack Obama said, ‘‘In a time when millions of Americans are out of work, boosting our exports 

is a short-term imperative’’; and 

Whereas President Barack Obama said, ‘‘We’re going to 

strengthen relations with key partners, specifically South 

Korea, Panama, and Colombia, with the goal of moving 

forward with existing agreements in a way that upholds 

our values’’: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That— 

2 (1) the House of Representatives recognizes the 

3 importance of reducing trade barriers between the 

4 United States and key trade partners in order to in5 crease exports, create jobs, stimulate the economy, 

6 and improve relations with international trade part7 ners; and 

8 (2) it is the sense of the House of Representa9 tives that the United States–Colombia Trade Pro10 motion Agreement, United States–Panama Free 


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1 Trade Agreement, and United States–Korea Free 

2 Trade Agreement should be implemented imme3 diately. 

Æ 


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