And I have to say a lot of that was due to the extraordinary personal efforts of one distinguished citizen of Iowa, the head of the Overseas Private Investment Corp., Ruth Harkin, who is here with us today. And I thank her for her efforts. Making these countries economically strong and helping them to be free and to stay free is the best way to ensure that American soldiers never again have to shed their blood on Europe's soil. It's also good business for us. As you well know, Cedar Rapids is the largest exporting city per capita in the entire United States.
Foreign trade creates jobs here.
But we have to do this because it's also the right thing to do. For 45 years, we challenged the people of these nations to cast off the yoke of communism. They have done it, and we dare not abandon them now. We have an obligation to work together so that all our people can enjoy the rewards of freedom and prosperity in the 21st century. I believe the citizens of Cedar Rapids understand that.