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Washington, D.C.-LULAC Florida was invited by the President of the United States to the first Colombia independence Day celebration in the White House. LULAC was honored as the President stated in his speech, Representatives of LULAC, I am so proud of the resolution you recently passed, thank you for your -- President Bush was referring to the, New US-Colombia Fair Trade Agreement.
Resolution that was presented by the State of Florida and recently passed by the national LULAC convention in Washington, D.C.
The Florida Delegation, represented by Bettina Rodriguez Aguilera, LULAC FL State Director, Roberto Canino, LULAC Ambassador for Latin America and the Caribbean, Edna Canino, Former LULAC VP of the South East, Fabio Andrade and Jose Lagos LULAC Council Presidents was invited to a forum with 34 other Hispanic Leaders from across the country with the Honorable Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez. Secretary Gutierrez praised LULAC and the State Director for presenting and negotiating the New US-Colombia Fair Trade Agreement and stated his Office was available to assist in any way possible.
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The representatives discussed the importance of the Fair Trade Agreement with their corresponding communities and the positive impact of jobs and economic growth for their constituency.
Secretary Gutierrez stated this was a very positive step as many Hispanics relay on import- export companies in the United States but many have been strangled, paying the tariffs of 15% or more that are now required by the Colombian government. Another important point that was brought up was that the fair trade agreement would enhance the economy and work as a stimulus package, allowing export businesses to stay with more money in their pocket.
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Colombia has not paid tariffs to the USA since 1991, the FTA would level the playing field and make it fair for both countries.
It is important to note that these negotiations were made possible with the combined efforts of the LULAC FL State Director B.Rodriguez Aguilera the FL delegation with the assistance, support and cooperation of Jaime Martinez, LULAC National Treasurer and labor activist, also Pablo Martinez, New Mexico State Director, Carlos Cervantes, Arkansas State Director, Kenna Ramirez of Texas and our national President Rosa Rosales. Two resolutions had been presented one in favor and one against. Both teams worked together as one, combined the two resolutions and changed the word FREE to FAIR, adding labor and small business language into the combined resolution. Both teams developed a resolution that would create jobs and stimulate the economy of both nations.
LULAC thanks Carlos Benitez of the Hispanic Trade and Business Alliance, Marlon Gutierrez, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Nicaraguan American National Foundation, Douglas Mayorga US Minority Chamber of Commerce, Sergio Massa, Peruvian American Political Organization, Colombian Government and many others. The Hispanic coalition will work together to pass the FTA and all praised Colombia for the rescue of 3 Americans and their advancements in both labor and human rights. |
