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Hispanic Business Leaders/Fast Track 5/9/91 [OA 8322]
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Hispanic Business Leaders/Fast Track 5/9/91 [OA 8322]
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MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
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Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Backup Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13755
Folder ID Number:
13755-002
Folder Title:
Hispanic Business Leaders/Fast Track 5/9/91 [OA 8322]
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26
21
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1
Staffed
Factcheck copy
THE WHITE HOUSE
Grant/Cawley
WASHINGTON 7, 1991 / 1 p.m.
A:ADS / Draft two
BRIEF REMARKS: HISPANIC BUSINESS LEADERS / FREE TRADE
THE INDIAN TREATY ROOM
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
9:30 A.M.
Shire
( (Acknowledgements) )
First of all, welcome to the White House. We've all been
very concerned lately with two vital issues: America's ability to
compete in the global marketplace and our ability to negotiate
with our trading partners. The two concerns meet in an issue
that we all care about deeply: the "fast track" procedures that
I've asked Congress to extend.
Fast track procedures let us negotiate in good faith with
Business
Writers
our trading partners and work in concert with Congress. They
Houston
simply ensure that we will not alter agreements that our
Breakfast
negotiators have reached with their counterparts.
Fast-track doesn't take away Congress' power to accept or
reject trade agreements. Congress will still have its say -- in
a yes-or-no vote -- because fast track does not guarantee
approval of any agreement. And we have promised to consult
closely with Congress during the course of trade talks. Fast
track's main virtue is this: It prevents 11th-hour changes to
agreements we have reached, changes that force everyone involved
to start from scratch.
Congress first gave the president fast track authority in
Walters'
1974, and we have used it in negotiating three major trade
agreements since. As many of you know, fast track also can play
2
a role in helping us complete three other important trade
If
initiatives: The Uruguay Round of GATT talks; the North American
Free Trade Agreement and the Enterprise for the Americas
Initiative.
Unfortunately, some opponents of free trade have decided to
mount a smear campaign in hopes of derailing fast-track.
Ignoring the facts, they have tried to frighten people with scare
tactics and race-baiting. I've got a couple examples of this
disgusting propaganda with me today. Here's one ad that
questions the health and sanitary habits of Hispanic people --
[HOLD UP TWO ADS -- SEE ATTACHED]. The other ad distorts the
truth the old fashioned way. It wrenches quotes out of context
and tries to give the impression that foreigners -- in this case,
our Mexican neighbors -- somehow will poison American citizens.
I find these ads personally offensive. They promote nothing
more than prejudice and racism.
Although it really shouldn't be necessary, let me set the
ax from
record straight. According to the American Journal of Public
Hispanic
Advent
Health
salcon
Health, Mexicans and Mexican Americans have better birth
coalition
News Release
outcomes, lower drug use, and healthier diets than non-Hispanic
weekly
whites. This information was further supported by the January
1991 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
There is no evidence that trade agreements with Mexico --
agreements that fast-track procedures would facilitate -- will
David
have any adverse impact on the quality of our food or water.
Dan Price -G.C.
Bob Fischer
Charlie Reese
3
But there's another point: Free trade encourages economic
growth and international understanding. It enables us to build
bonds of common interest and common experience. It may be the
most effective antidote to the kind of poison these ads spread
among our people.
Open markets and free trade mean stronger alliances and
better relations. It means we become better neighbors, because
we'll bring out the best in people -- not the worst, as our
opponents want.
One ad reads: "There's a lot at stake here. But a lot of
important considerations are getting pushed aside in the fast
track rhetoric."
I couldn't agree more on this narrow point. Important
considerations have been pushed aside -- by the people who
sponsor these ads.
Take a look what the North American Free Trade Agreement
will create: the largest, richest market in the world. That's
Business
360 million consumers and $6 trillion in annual output.
And take a look at the 130 percent increase in our exports
to Mexico over the past four years. This export boom has created
X
264,000 new jobs in the United States. And each additional
billion dollars in exports will create 20,000 new jobs here in
X
the United States. I didn't read about that in those ads.
So you see, we have much to gain from extending fast track -
- a new era of open, free and fair trade -- a future of
unprecedented economic growth and regional harmony.
4
A "yes" vote on fast-track really is a vote on what kind of
outlook we share -- one of optimism and integrity, or one of
self-doubt and petty prejudice. A "yes" vote means a vote for
"good faith" and the strength of our word. We can't allow bigots
and fearmongers to control our agenda. We must rely on our
better selves -- our truer selves.
Fast track plays a critical role in helping the United
States compete in a world newly united by bonds of commerce.
We
will need your support as Hispanic leaders in persuading Congress
to extend fast-track procedures. We will need your help as
businessmen and women, as entrepreneurs, as men and women from
all walks of life. But most of all, we need your help as
Americans committed to the ideals of freedom and opportunity.
Help us build good faith with our friends and neighbors.
Help us develop better working relations with Congress. And help
us stifle the voices that want to replace reason with rancor,
cooperation with discrimination.
With your help, I know we will succeed. Once again, thank
you and God bless each of you.
# # #
To T.S
Grant/Cawley
May 7, 1991 / 1 p.m.
A:ADS / Draft one
BRIEF REMARKS: HISPANIC BUSINESS LEADERS / FREE TRADE
THE INDIAN TREATY ROOM
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1991
9:30 A.M.
( (Acknowledgements))
First of all, welcome to the White House. We've all been
very concerned lately with two vital issues: America's ability to
compete in the global marketplace and our ability to negotiate
with our trading partners. I'm talking about the "fast track"
procedures that I've asked Congress to extend.
Fast track is a way of assuring our trading counterparts
lemarks iness
to
that the agreements they reach at the bargaining table with our
Editoriters
negotiators will be the same ones reviewed by our Congress. Fast
track is another way of saying "good faith."
Fast-track doesn't affect Congress' power to accept or
reject trade agreements. Congress will still have its say -- in
an up-or-down vote -- because fast track does not guarantee
approval of any agreement. But it does prevent 11th-hour changes
to agreements we have reached, changes that force everyone
involved to start from scratch.
Unfortunately, there are some who simply want to ignore the
facts. A campaign of half-truths, misinformation and innuendo
has begun. In a last-gasp attempt to derail the vote, the
opponents of fast track very wrongly engage in scare tactics and
race-baiting by questioning the health and sanitary habits of
Hispanic people -- through unsubstantiated claims in ads like
S3
of
2
these [HOLD UP ADS]. These deplorable tactics insult the
intelligence of all Hispanics, play into negative stereotypes and
promote only prejudice and the worst kind of racism. I find it
personally offensive.
So allow me to set the record straight. According to the
American Journal of Public Health, Mexicans and Mexican Americans
have better birth outcomes, lower drug use, and healthier diets
than non-Hispanic whites. This information was further supported
by the January 1991 issue of the Journal of the American Medical
Association. There is no evidence that food safety and water
quality are threatened by fast track procedures.
What fast track will allow us to do is negotiate with our
partners on important trade agreements -- not only the North
Breatepost
American Free Trade Agreement, but the Uruguay Round of the GATT
hemarks
talks and the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative as well.
Business
These are the kinds of agreements which bring with them economic
growth and opportunity for everyone involved. Open markets and
free trade mean stronger alliances and better relations. It
means we become better neighbors, because we'll bring out the
best in people -- not the worst, as our opponents want.
Allow me to quote from the ads. One ad reads: "There's a
lot at stake here. But a lot of important considerations are
getting pushed aside in the fast track rhetoric."
There are important considerations which are getting pushed
aside -- by the opposition. Take a look what the North American
Free Trade Agreement will create: the largest, richest market in
3
Whiters
the world. That's 360 million consumers and $6 trillion in
annual output.
And take a look at the 130 percent increase in our exports
to Mexico over the past four years. This export boom has created
264,000 new jobs in the United States. And each additional
billion dollars in exports will create 20,000 new jobs here in
the United States. I didn't read about that in those ads.
So you see, we have much to gain from extending fast track -
- a new era of open, free and fair trade -- a future of
unprecedented economic growth and regional harmony.
A "yes" vote on fast-track really is a vote on what kind of
outlook we share -- one of optimism and integrity. A "yes" vote
means a vote for "good faith" and the strength of our word. We
can't allow the forces of fear to prevail, and we will not stand
for the ugly face of discrimination to be raised.
To do it, we will continue to need your support as Hispanic
leaders, yes -- but also as businessmen, entrepreneurs and men
and women from all walks of life. With your help, I know we will
succeed. Once again, thank you and God bless each of you.
# # #
COSSMHO
NEWS RELEASE
The National Coalition of Hispanic
Health and Human Services
Organizations
1030-15th Street, N.W., Suite 1053. Washington, DC 20005
Tel. (202) 371.2100
May 2, 1991
Contact: Adolph P. Falcon
"Their ignorance of border issues is only surpassed by their
arrogance." said Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National
Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human Services Organizations (COSSMHO) in
responding to the AFL-CIO's recent placement of attack ads opposing fast
track negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with Mexico. "This
type of advertisement," continued Delgado, "is a collection of
unsubstantiated claims made to play into negative stereotypes and
American's basest fears. To claim that cooperation with Mexico mcans
polluted water and disease is offensive to all our Mexican neighbors, the
millions of Americans of Mexican descent, and all those persons who are
concerned about fair treatment."
Quite the contrary to the AFL-CIO claims of poor health among
Mexicans, the December 1990 supplement of the American Journal of Public
Health indicated that Mexicans and Mexican Americans had better birth
outcomes, lower drug use, and healthier diets than non-Hispanic whites.
These data were further supported by the January 1991 issue of the Journal
of the American Medical Association.
"This distortion of health data is quite repugnant," added Delgado.
According to COSSMHO, the FTA represents an opportunity for America to
finally be a good neighbor and formally recognize Mexico's status as one
of this nation's largest trading partners.
RCV BY-Xerox relecopier 1020 J-
Hispanic Alliance for Free Trade, Inc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: ELAINE CORONADO
MAY 3, 1991
(202) 628-3528
RESPONSE BY THE 'HISPANIC ALLIANCE FOR FREE TRADE'
TO AFL-CIO ADVERTISEMENT AGAINST N.A.F.T.A.
WASHINGTON, DC - The Hispanic Alliance for Free Trade, Inc. (HAFT), a private, not for
profit, non partisan coalition of Hispanic leaders and organizations, rejects the narrow
allegations made by the AFL-CIO In Its advertisement in the April 29th edition of Roll Call. It is
regretable that the AFL-CIO indulged in scare tactics propped-up on misinformation and racial
prejudice to further Its opposition to free trade talks. Such tactics may be convenient, but they
are counter-productive and harmful.
The Hispanic Alliance for Free Trade Is especially concerned by the tinge of racism and
discrimination that permeates the AFL-CIO's campaign of misinformation. Any Insinuation that
Hispanics are unhealthy, disease-spreading people Is an insult to every Hispanic-American.
Such prejudicial innuendo belittles the inumerable contributions made by Hispanics, of all walks
of life, to North America during the past 500 years. These tactics adopted by the AFL-CIO
are reprehensible and only serve to promote racism and prejudice. Not only are these attitudes
morally dubious, they also contribute to dangerous economic protectionism.
It is the opinion of the Hispanic Alliance for Free Trade that a free trade agreement with our
neighbors offers an historic opportunity to bring together the energies and talents of three
great nations. And Hispanic-Americans, personifying closer relations between the United
States and Mexico through our cultural and lingual bonds, will play a key role in the creation of
the world's largest free trade area. Free trade works for Europe, Canada, and Israel Why
not now with Mexico, already the U. S.'s third largest trading partner? Americans and
Mexicans have shown their Interest in greater trade between both countries as evidenced by
the fact that U. S. exports to Mexico more than doubled since 1985 to $28 billion in 1990.
Estimates show that this increase from 1985 too 1989 has generated some 400,000 new jobs.
The AFL-CIO's desperate attempt to circumvent the facts is truly regretable. Fast track
does not guarantee approval of any agreement; only Congress retains that unqualified right.
Fast track simply reserves a seat for the United States at the negotiating table and gives our
negotiators the same tools as those of other countries. It is Ironic that the AFL-CIO opposes
fast track claiming that our best interests will not be served, when in fact it is without fast
track that the United States would be at a disadvantage. The AFL-CIO Implies that it would
prefer that the U.S. negotiate from a weakened position. This makes no sense.
Among the issues which will influence negotiations, HAFT agrees that the environmental
issue is very important and should be given thorough and serious consideration on both sides of
the border. Indeed, conditions along the border area are of special concern to HAFT in light of
the fact that the population in this region is predominantly Hispanic. However, responsible
efforts are being made by both the U. S. and Mexican governments which have resulted in
marked improvements in conditions along the border and HAFT feels that these ought to be
fairly recognized.
RCV BY:Xerox lelecopier 1020 2- 6-01 JIMIEM
HISPANIC ALLIANCE FOR FREE TRADE, INC.
PRESS STATEMENT continued
A look at the facts regarding Mexican and U.S. efforts to Improve environmental conditions:
In March of 1988, the General Law for Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection took
effect In Mexico.
Since 1988, the Mexican Government has increased its environmental budget by 600%.
In 1990, the Mexican Government allocated $2.52 billion to address environmental concerns.
The United States and Mexico have jointly built water treatment plants and sewage facilities
and installed air quality monitoring and emergency response systems along the border area.
A new sewage system for Tijuana, which is soon to be completed, will prevent residues from
reaching the California coastline.
The flow of waste water from Naco, Sonora, was cut In 1987.
It is time to put an end to half-truths and innuendo that lead to building protectionist walls.
HAFT believes that the American people would be ill-served by a return to isolationist and
protectionist policies that inevitably lead to economic stagnation and the loss of jobs. The facts
bear this out.
HAFT is in favor of Fast Track Authority as a means of expeditiously negotiating an
agreement with our trading partners. And, HAFT is in favor of creating more jobs for all
Americans - regardless of cultural background, race, or native language.
2053
avre
601 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, South Building, Suite #900, Washington DC, 20002 (202) 628-3528
RaLL CaLL ApriL 29 p.7
U.S.
-
MEXICO TRADE NEGOTIATIONS
Fast Track
hat would fast track trade
W
fast track rhetoric. In terms of
negotiations between the U.S.
safe-food and drinking water,
and Mexico really produce?
there is already a problem of crisis
Could Be
From the standpoint of food
proportions along both sides of
safety and water quality, it would
the border. Fast track is not a
Hazardous To
make an already deplorable
framework for solving these
situation worse.
problems.
What we drink.
This issue-and its long-term
Your Health
political and economic
Mexican border towns like
ramifications-deserves a lot
Matamoros and Juarez have
more than a simple up or down
virtually no sewage facilities for
vote by Congress.
their populations that swell as the
maquiladora plants expand. With
Congress should reject fast
track
no treatment facilities, health
it's a shortcut to disaster.
FAST
problems abound on both sides of
the border.
TRACK
In San Elizario, Texas, for
example, 90 percent of the people
have Hepatitis A by the time they
reach age 30. Nogales, Arizona,
has a Hepatitis A rate 20 times
the U.S. national average.
What we eat.
DISASTEN
With no treatment facilities,
TO
produce destined for export may
be irrigated with polluted water,
including raw sewage. Irapuato, a
town in Guanajuato, is an
example.
There's a lot at stake here. But a
lot of important considerations
are getting pushed aside in the
AFL-CIO
815 SIXTEENTH STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006
Shive
MR. PRESIDENT
ONE of THE ADS REFERRED TO
BY Secretary Martin
D.D.
Davids gone home
U.S.
-
MEXICO TRADE NEGOTIATIONS
POISON!
Fast Track
Environmental specialists-especially those concerned about
water-say the (border) area's natural resources cannot
handle the extra economic development free-trade advocates
foresee.
The More You Read
-The Economist
April 20, 1991
The Worse It Gets
Indiscriminate dumping or long-term storage of industrial
garbage and hazardous wastes is trashing the landscape and
poisoning the water and soil.
-U.S. News & World Report
FAST
May 6, 1991
TRACK
Uncontrolled air and water pollution is rapidly deteriorating
and seriously affecting the health and future economic vitality
SHORTCOTT
on both sides of the border.
-American Medical Association
June, 1990
DISASTEN
Their very success (the maquiladoras) is helping turn much of
TO
the border region into a sinkhole of abysmal living conditions
and environmental degradation.
-Wall Street Journal
September 27, 1989
he case against fast track free
This issue-and its long-term
trade negotiations between the
political and economic
U.S. and Mexico grows
ramifications-deserves a lot
stronger every day. There's a lot
more than a simple up or down
more at stake here than the fast
vote by Congress.
track rhetoric would lead you to
Congress should reject fast track
believe.
it's a shortcut to disaster.
AFL-CIO
815 SIXTEENTH STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006