E 1024 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 12, 1995

Councilman Martin has four grown children,

a loving wife, and he continued to be active in

his church and several social and political organizations, including the N.A.A.C.P.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join

with me in paying tribute to a fine American,

a family man, and a devoted public servant,

Mr. Allen C. Martin.

SAFE BOATING WEEK

fHON. JIM RAMSTAD OF MINNESOTA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, May 12, 1995

Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to

commend the Minnetonka Power Squadron for

its sponsorship of Safe Boating Week, which

is May 20–27.

I also want to highly applaud the

Minnetonka Power Squadron’s continuing efforts to make boating a safe summertime activity.

Minnesota is known worldwide for our more

than 10,000 lakes. Each year, millions of Minnesotans and people from all over the country

flock to these lakes to fish, water ski, canoe,

or just beat the heat.

As we enjoy these activities, however, we

must never forget the importance of boating

safety. Carelessness or recklessness in boating can cause property damage and, even

worse, result in serious injury or death.

During Safe Boating Week, the Minnetonka

Power Squadron conducts many classes and

public awareness activities to promote the importance of boating safety.

This yearly reminder of safe, proper boating

techniques, and simple precautions—such as

carrying life preservers—should be observed

by all boaters throughout the boating season.

Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that all boaters—

in Minnesota and across the country—will take

the time to review safe boating precautions

and exercise these practices all season long.

I thank and applaud the Minnetonka Power

Squadron for showing us how to enjoy boating

safely.

SALUTE TO REV. DR. WILLIAM T.

KENNEDY, JR.

fHON. THOMAS M. FOGLIETTA OF PENNSYLVANIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, May 12, 1995

Mr. FOGLIETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today

to honor Rev. Dr. William T. Kennedy, Jr., the

pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in

Philadelphia, on the occasion of his retirement.

Reverend Kennedy is completing 25 years

of service in the ministry, 10 years of which

have been at the Grace United Methodist

Church in West Oak Lane. Reverend Kennedy

has also served at Wesley A.M.E. Zion in

South Philadelphia and at Tioga United Methodist in North Philadelphia. Reverend Kennedy

has also had a distinguished career in education, teaching Sociology, Theology, and

Preaching at Eastern College, the Eastern

Baptist Seminary, Lutheran Seminary, and at

Drew University.

In addition to his work in the ministry and

teaching, Reverend Kennedy has participated

in numerous civic activities. He has served as

the chairman of the Philadelphia A.M.E. Zion

Ministers Conference, the chairman of the

Housing Committee at the Waterbury Development Corporation, and as chairman of the Waterbury Human Relations Commission. Reverend Kennedy has also participated in a multitude of other community service organizations too numerous to name here.

Reverend Kennedy has been a selfless contributor to his work and community throughout

his lifetime. I hope my colleagues will join me

in recognizing Rev. William T. Kennedy, Jr. as

he celebrates his retirement. I wish him the

best of luck in his future endeavors.

DEVALUATION OF THE MEXICAN

fPESO

HON. MARK ADAM FOLEY OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, May 12, 1995

Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation to alleviate the dislocation of

a specific sector of the Florida economy due

to the devaluation of the peso. While this legislation is designed only to relieve the problems experienced by the winter tomato industry in south Florida, it is my belief that the underlying intent of the legislation should be considered to be applied to all areas of trade within the North American Free-Trade Agreement

[NAFTA].

Let me outline some ideas about NAFTA

preamble of the agreement—the governments

of the United States, Canada, and Mexico resolved to: First, create an expanded and secure market for the goods and services produced in their territories; second, reduce distortions to trade; third, ensure a predictable

commercial framework for business planning

and investment; and fourth, promote sustainable development.

And finally, the second objective of NAFTA

is to: ‘‘Promote conditions of fair competition in

the free trade area.’’

When the Mexican peso underwent the devaluation beginning in December 1994—these

objectives were tossed out the window. The

administration’s only response was a multi-billion-dollar bailout of the Mexican currency with

American taxpayer dollars. However what the

administration failed to address was the impact of this devaluation of the peso on our vitally important domestic industries. Nobody

knows for certain about the overall effect, but

let me outline the effect on an industry that is

important to my home State of Florida.

Florida’s tomato industry generates an estimated $650 million in economic activity, and

employs more than 2,000 workers. However,

over the past 2 years, Mexico’s share of the

United States winter tomato market has nearly

doubled. A devaluation of the Mexican currency has caused a massive export of Mexican tomatoes to the United States markets

where a stronger, more stable currency is the

real objective.

During the winter season, Florida produces

about 95 percent of the fresh market tomatoes

grown in the United States, with the only competition coming from Mexico. As the attached

chart shows, the volume of Mexican tomato

imports has dramatically increased over the

past year due to the devaluation of the peso.

How has this affected the bottom line of tomato producers in Florida? They have seen

the prices for their tomatoes decline from $15

for a 25 pound carton to only $5 from the period of January 30 to February 15 of this year.

This steady decline in prices can clearly be attributable for the search for stable U.S. dollars.

Mr. Speaker, it is my believe that the recent

peso devaluation undermines the bases for

the establishment of tariffs and more than

eclipses the tariffs negotiated to help transition

the Florida tomato industry into a free trade

agreement during the 10-year phase out period for tomatoes.

Therefore, today I am introducing legislation

to link the tariff of tomatoes to the devaluation

of the Mexican peso. This is a simple solution

that would multiply the tariff on tomatoes by

an equal percentage of the peso devaluation

thereby establishing a fair and stable climate

for trade between Mexico and the United

States.

Furthermore, this legislation directs the Secretary of Agriculture to determine the nature

and extent of harm done to the domestic industry and take actions to remedy such harm.

Mr. Speaker, in 1990, there were 230 tomato

growers in Florida, today, there are less than

100 with the threat of dumping from Mexico

occurring every year.

Finally, this legislation takes steps to ensure

that Mexican tomatoes entering the United

States meet the same standards established

by the United States Department of Agriculture

for domestic tomatoes. The Department has

been far too lax in allowing in Mexican tomatoes which do not meet the same United

States standards.

While some may argue that this legislation

will violate the NAFTA, I dispute this most vehemently. NAFTA was to establish clear and

stable rules of trade between the United

States and Mexico. This legislation would ensure that to be the case by reducing any distortions to trade due to the devaluation of the

peso. I urge my colleagues to carefully examine the impact of the devaluation of the peso

on all industries around the country and determine if this would be a workable solution for

other sectors of the economy.

FLORIDA VEGETABLE REPORT FEDERAL-STATE MARKET

NEWS USDA AND FDACS TOMATO SHIPMENTS 1993–94

AND 1994–95

[1,000 25-lb Cartons]

Shipments

through

1994–95 Shipments

through

1993–94

Florida Mexico Florida Mexico

1/29/95 ......... 12,942 11,635 1/30/94 ......... 16,374 11,061

1/30/95 ......... 75 292 1/31/94 ......... 172 271

1/31/95 ......... 97 292 2/01/94 ......... 232 195

2/01/95 ......... 143 352 2/02/94 ......... 242 245

2/02/95 ......... 132 346 2/03/94 ......... 206 206

2/03/95 ......... 95 336 2/04/94 ......... 142 193

2/04/95 ......... 93 339 2/05/94 ......... 242 223

2/05/95 ......... 48 6 2/06/94 ......... 104 6

Total ..... 13,625 13,598 ....................... 17,714 12,400

2/06/95 ......... 84 423 2/07/94 ......... 162 220

2/07/95 ......... 164 384 2/08/94 ......... 326 258

2/08/95 ......... 154 420 2/09/94 ......... 282 308

2/09/95 ......... 94 448 2/10/94 ......... 234 268

2/10/95 ......... 134 525 2/11/94 ......... 218 273

2/11/95 ......... 108 609 2/12/94 ......... 284 268

2/12/95 ......... 49 8 2/13/94 ......... 129 2

Total ..... 14,412 16,415 ....................... 19,349 13,997

2/13/95 ......... 76 768 2/14/94 ......... 179 378

Total ..... 14,488 17,183 ....................... 19,528 14,375