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Washington, D.C - In a historic vote, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the oldest and largest Hispanic organization in the United States, voted unanimously to support the "New" Colombian Fair Trade Agreement at the 79th annual national convention in Washington, DC.
Bettina Rodriguez Aguilera, Florida State Director, led the state's delegation of 28 delegates and spearheaded a compromise with LULAC national officers of several states and regions as well as LULAC International Ambassador to Latin America and the Caribbean, Roberto Canino, to develop a resolution denoting a fair trade agreement.
"Trade with Colombia is vital for the stability and democracy of our hemisphere," said Bettina Rodriguez Aguilera, LULAC FL State Director.
"We are glad the national LULAC unanimously supported the resolution presented by Florida in favor of Fair Trade with Colombia. As we proceed, we must continue to be vigilant to address the concerns of labor standards, both here and abroad. We at LULAC feel confident the Colombian government will continue to demonstrate progressive steps to assure peace and exercise democratic principles. A 0This was seen in the heroic non-violent rescue of the Colombian & American hostages in Colombia; while assuring and increasing jobs in the United States and eliminating American tariffs thereby creating Fair Trade with both countries," said LULAC FL State Director Rodriguez Aguilera.
LULAC recognizes the positive strides that the Colombia government has made in favor of new environmental standards through enacted resolutions, strict labor laws in defense of labor unions and labor standards, both current and new labor union legislation to be signed into law by President Uribe. The growing Latin American nation has also paid special attention to assist small farmers with specific economic development programs. LULAC also recognizes American workers and the importance of not allowing displaced workers to suffer undue hardship.
"This resolution sends a message of friendship , fairness and hope to our US Businesses and to the Government and People of Colombia whom among the hostages rescued last week were three American Hostages", said Jose Lagos Member and Co-Chair of the Immigration Committee of LULAC FL.
"As a Colombian American I thank my colleagues at LULAC and pray and hope that Madame Speaker Nancy Pelosi reconsiders and listens not only to LULAC but to our US Businesses and to the people and Government of President Alvaro Uribe, a proven friend and ally allowing a vote for the FTA-Colombia," said, Fabio Andrade President of a LULAC council.
The passage of the Colombia Trad e Agreement would eliminate US tariff on Colombian exports and represent an additional $1 billion dollars for American Business a year. This agreement will create more American jobs and spur economic development for our factories and companies in the USA.
Colombia has not paid any tariffs to the United States for their imports since the signing of the Andean Trade agreement in 1991. Recognizing that tariffs to exporting American companies represent a loss over $2 million dollars per day and that the passage of the Fair Trade Agreement will promote fair trade and benefit USA companies with over 1 billion dollars a year. Currently the USA exports billions of dollars a year. Florida is Colombia's second largest trading partner with $2.1 billion. Texas is the number one exporter with $2.3 billion.
LULAC FL plans to continue working with the LULAC national leadership, the Colombian government and its trade office, and US Congressman and senators of both parties and present this resolution to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi for reconsideration and discussion.
In addition at the LULAC national convention the Florida chapter passed resolutions concerning title 3 English langue education, immigration fraud, drivers licenses for illegal immigrants, professional certification for foreign professionals. For more information contact LULAC FL for the full text of any of these resolutions.
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