Walter Jones

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I came to the floor last week and read part of an article that appeared on October 23 in the article by Knight Ridder reporters about the Pentagon program costing taxpayers millions in inflated prices. I came to the floor and I reported that there was some reports that we were paying anywhere from $20 for a plastic ice tray that should cost about 89 cents. In addition to that, we were paying $81 for coffee makers that you can buy at a retail store for $29. In addition, I said that we were paying for a 5- cubic-foot refrigerator $27,000 that should cost about $3,000 or $4,000, and these are the kinds of refrigerators that are put on aircraft. I wanted to report to the House tonight that I am extremely pleased. I wrote a letter to the chairman and ranking member, Chairman Duncan Hunter and Ranking Member Ike Skelton, and today we held hearings on this issue of inflated prices. I want to say that the hearing was attended by a fair number of those on the Armed Services Committee. The witnesses, the Admiral and the Under Secretary that were there present, we were able to ask about these inflated prices. They explained this program that is called the Prime Vendor program. We talked about how it used to be when there were competitive prices, and now we have gone to where there is a middleman that works with the prime vendors. From that, Mr. Speaker, the reason I wanted to come to the floor tonight is because I was so encouraged by the response of the chairman and the ranking member that next week we are going to bring the prime vendors to the committee to talk about these inflated prices. Mr. Speaker, as I said today on the Armed Services Committee, there is one thing that the American people, maybe they do not follow us when we talk about deficits and debt and some of these other issues that are very important to the future of this Nation; but there is one thing they know, that if you are paying $20 for a plastic ice cube tray that you can buy for 89 cents, they know that is not right. I also said to those on the panel today that when you are paying $24,000 or $25,000 for a 5-cubic-foot refrigerator, the taxpayers know that is not a wise investment as well. So tonight I want to give credit to the chairman and the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee. It was a very informative hearing today that will lead to additional hearings next week. And what I am hoping will come from this is that the taxpayers will know that we do care about abuses and we do care about inflated prices. We are going to get to the bottom of this, thanks to the leadership of Chairman Hunter and Ranking Member Skelton and the committee members, both Republican and Democrat. We are going to get to the bottom of this and we are going to be able to say to the taxpayers and to the reporters for Knight Ridder that wrote this article that we are going to see that wrongs are made right and we are going to do exactly what is in the best interests of the taxpayers. Mr. Speaker, before I close, I know that my friend from Texas and my friend from Illinois talked about those who serve in this Nation and who have given their lives. As I close this way all over my district, I will close this way tonight. I ask God to please bless our men and women in uniform, to please bless their families. I ask God to please hold in his loving arms the families who have given a child, dying for freedom.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I might speak at this time.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, on October 23, the Knight- Rider newspaper had a headline that said, ``Pentagon Program Costing Taxpayers Millions in Inflated Prices.'' I want to give a few examples, because, as we talk about budget resolution, budget cuts, or tax increases or whatever, if we just look at what is happening, and I am going to relay this to the House in just one moment, we ought to start looking at the inflated prices and what is going on at the Department of Defense. I am going to give examples. The Pentagon is paying $20 apiece for ice cube trays that cost 85 cents. In other words, you can go to a retail store and you get a plastic ice tray and pay 85 to 90 cents, yet the Department of Defense is paying $20. In addition, the Pentagon is now paying $81 apiece for coffee makers that were bought for years at just $29 from the manufacturer. So $81 now, and they were paying $29 for coffee makers. A commercial 7-foot refrigerator that the general public can buy for a little more than $17,000, the Pentagon is paying nearly $33,000 for the same refrigerator, for a markup of 89 percent. Mr. Speaker, I think about the tough decisions we are going to have to make here over the next few weeks, yet we are not even doing the oversight that should be done with the Department of Defense. Why, instead of using competitive bid contracting or buying directly from the manufacturers, is the Pentagon using middlemen who set their own prices and take the American taxpayers for millions of dollars? Again, this is an investigative new report. The high prices are a result of a Defense Department purchasing program called ``prime vendor,'' started by the Defense Logistics Agency, known as DLA. This program, which eliminates competition, is used to speed up deliveries. Defenders of the prime vendor program highlight the program's speed. Deliveries are fast, they say. However, critics indicate the advantages offered by prime vendors are overstated. Since competition is reduced, these prime vendors charge enormous prices for their services. More so, there are other government agents who have been eliminated that claim their services were just as fast and cheaper. There needs to be an investigation into the prime vendor program to ensure that taxpayers are not being taken advantage of. And I say that, Mr. Speaker, for this reason. I have written the Speaker of the House, the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Hunter), and I also wrote the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Davis) of the oversight committee. We need to look into this. We need to do what is right for the taxpayers. I will tell you, Mr. Speaker, when we have so much in the way of a debt and deficit in this Nation, the easiest thing we can do is look at the Department of Defense, and if they are paying $20 for an 89 cent ice tray, if they are paying $81 for a coffee maker you can buy for $29, we have a real serious problem. I think in a bipartisan way we, as a House of Representatives, need to get together and ask those committee chairmen and the Speaker of the House to please look into this on behalf of the taxpayers of America. As I close, Mr. Speaker, always on the floor of this House I ask God to please bless our men and women in uniform, to please bless their families and hold in his loving arms the families who have given a child to die for freedom, and I ask God to please continue to bless America.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, our men and women in uniform serve this Nation with great honor and distinction. Many give their lives for this country. It is for this reason I have introduced H.R. 3478, a bill to permit military families who receive the death gratuity to invest the full amount into certain tax-favored accounts. Mr. Speaker, as the Members may know, a death gratuity is a $100,000 payment paid to survivors of servicemembers whose death resulted from combat-related circumstances. Current tax law limits the amount that recipients of the death gratuity can place in tax-preferred accounts such as Roth, IRA, Health Savings Accounts, Archer Medical Savings or Coverdell Education Savings Accounts. This legislation would change that to allow recipients to contribute up to the full amount of the gratuity payment to any one of those accounts. Mr. Speaker, as the families of our fallen heroes try to put their lives back together, they need all the help they can get. They should not have to worry about saving the death gratuity to pay for health care, college, or other expenses and then have the government come in and tax the interest on that savings. This bill would help to ensure that that does not happen. The need for this legislation, Mr. Speaker, was brought to my attention by Captain Michael Ceres, a constituent stationed at Marine Corps Air Station New River. Captain Ceres, who just returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom, contacted my office and suggested that Congress institute this change to ease the burden on grieving military families. Mr. Speaker, I am able to report that the Joint Committee on Taxation has scored this legislation at no cost, meaning that the actual cost of this proposal is less than $500,000 over 9 years. We owe it to our fallen military heroes to expand the options of families who receive the death gratuity, families who have paid the ultimate cost with the loss of their loved one. H.R. 3478 has also received the endorsement of The Military Coalition, a consortium of prominent national military and veterans organizations that represent more than 5.5 million members plus their families. Mr. Speaker, 36 organizations support H.R. 3478. Let me just name a few: the Air Force Association, AMVETS, Association of the United States Army, Marine Corps Reserve Association, National Guard Association of the United States, Naval Reserve Association, United Armed Forces Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and many others. And, Mr. Speaker, let me also say that we have bipartisan support for this legislation already, and I will insert into the Record those groups that do support this legislation. The Military Coalition, Alexandria, VA, October 26, 2005. Hon. Walter Jones, Jr., House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative Jones: The Military Coalition (TMC), a consortium of nationally prominent military and veterans organizations, representing more than 5.5 million members plus their families and survivors, is writing to express our strongest support for H.R. 3478. This bill would allow military survivors additional savings options for the increased death gratuity amounts first authorized in the FY2005 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act and expected to be permanently authorized in the FY2006 National Defense Authorization Act. The new $100,000 death gratuity provides greatly improved compensation for the military survivors and their families. H.R. 3478's provision to allow survivors to invest death gratuity lump sums in Roth IRAs and certain other savings accounts is a logical extension of efforts to increase protections and benefits for military widows and their families. The Military Coalition thanks you for introducing this legislation and for your leadership on issues affecting all servicemembers and their families. We pledge our strong support in seeking enactment of this important legislation. Sincerely, The Military Coalition: Air Force Association. Air Force Sergeants Association. Air Force Women Officers Associated. American Logistics Association.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, in this letter from the Coalition, they wrote: ``The new $100,000 death gratuity provides greatly improved compensation for the military survivors and their families. H.R. 3478's provision to allow survivors to invest death gratuity lump sums in Roth IRAs and certain other savings accounts is a logical extension of efforts to increase protection and benefits for military widows and their families. ``We pledge our strong support in seeking enactment of this important legislation.'' Mr. Speaker, today, I call upon my colleagues to support H.R. 3478 to expand the options of our military families whose loved ones have given their lives in the name of freedom and in the defense of our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I close by asking God to please bless our men and women in uniform, I ask God to please bless the families of our men and women in uniform who have lost ones, and I ask God to please bless America.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take my Special Order at this time.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, October 28, 2005, I had an engagement in North Carolina and missed two rollcall votes. I ask that my absence be excused, and that the Congressional Record show that had I been present: For rollcall No. 555, I would have voted ``no''; and for rollcall No. 556, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, last month, 10,500 North Carolinians lost their jobs. Many of those jobs were in the manufacturing sector. Why? Misguided trade policies like ``Most Favored Nation'' trade status for China, Trade Promotion Authority, and an explosion of free trade agreements like NAFTA and CAFTA. It appears this administration wants to eliminate more U.S. manufacturing jobs by signing another free trade agreement, this one with the low-wage countries such as Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. This agreement is called AFTA, Andean Free Trade Agreement. It is being negotiated as we speak. In addition to eliminating U.S. jobs, AFTA is likely to increase the amount of cocaine coming into this country. U.S. negotiators are pushing the Colombians to agree to provisions that will force many of their poor farmers into cocaine production. That cocaine will undoubtedly come flooding into American neighborhoods. I urge my colleagues to look into this issue, because if there is one thing this country does not need, it is a new trade agreement that exports U.S. jobs and increases imports of deadly drugs. Mr. Speaker, I think too many times we in the Congress try to do what we think is right, but when it comes to sending jobs down to Central America or to China or other countries, it is not good for the American workers. Mr. Speaker, with that, tonight I am going to close by asking the American people to please remember our men and women in uniform who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, to please remember the families who have lost loved ones in Afghanistan and Iraq, and I close by asking God to please bless our men and women in uniform.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 2290.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, on vote No. 450 regarding adoption of the Conference Report on H.R. 2361--the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006--my vote was recorded in a manner inconsistent with my intent. Let the Record show that my vote should have been recorded as ``yea'' not ``nay.''

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York for yielding me this time, and I am pleased and honored to be here to say it is time to defeat CAFTA. This is not what we need for American workers nor what we need for those in Central America. I come from North Carolina, and I want to be on the floor tonight to speak on behalf of those 200,000 North Carolinians that lost their jobs because of NAFTA. I want to be on the floor to speak on behalf of the 2.5 million American workers that lost their jobs because of NAFTA. NAFTA has been a failure for the American worker. Proponents of NAFTA promised that agreement would reduce illegal immigration in this country. Since then, 1993, Mr. Speaker, illegal immigration is up 350 percent. It does not work. CAFTA is NAFTA's ugly cousin. In fact, 85 percent of what is in the CAFTA bill is in the NAFTA bill. It is a cousin that is not very attractive at all. Mr. Speaker, let me share with you and those on the floor tonight that I received a letter written to every Member of Congress from seven legislators, seven legislators from El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Honduras. Seven of these representatives, elected like we are by the people of those countries to speak out, have said that the CAFTA market has fewer than 9.2 million people who can buy U.S. goods. They say that this should be defeated. Just a couple more points, Mr. Speaker. I want to quote from this letter: ``Our countries want trade, but trade agreements like CAFTA that limit the possibilities for our countries to enact policies that will truly develop our economies and improve the lives of our people.'' This CAFTA bill will not help the people in Central America and will not help them in this great Nation of America. I want to take one more moment, and then I will close. I think how sad it is that we have lost so many manufacturing jobs in this country. How can a Nation remain strong without a strong manufacturing base? I want to close by putting this out on the floor. How sad would it be if 15 years from now we have to order our tanks and planes from China, and then drape the coffins of our heroes who have died from this country with flags that say ``Made in China,'' or ``Made in Honduras.'' Let us defeat this evil bill called CAFTA.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am back on the floor tonight to speak in opposition to CAFTA. First I want to talk about my State of North Carolina. Of course I was not here in the Congress when the Congress passed NAFTA about 1992, and it was in effect in 1993. But let me tell you briefly what happened to North Carolina. First of all, we lost approximately 200,000 jobs in about a 10- to 12-year period of time. We also as a Nation lost about 2.5 million jobs. CAFTA is the ugly cousin of NAFTA. That is all you can say about it. NAFTA and CAFTA are cousins, and actually CAFTA is about 85 percent of what NAFTA is. So therefore, I hate to say it, but CAFTA is the ugly cousin. Let me also say that during that period of time, that prior to NAFTA, we had a surplus with Mexico, and now we have a deficit with Mexico. So now let me also share with you, Mr. Speaker, that prior to NAFTA, and then since NAFTA, we have had a 350 percent increase of illegal aliens coming to America since NAFTA became the law of the land. It did nothing to keep the Mexican workers down in Mexico. Mr. Speaker, tonight I want to take just a few minutes of my time, I know it is very limited, to tell you that last night on the floor of the House, I submitted completely for the Record, from the countries of Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, elected officials of those countries asked me last week at the interfaith conference of Protestants, Catholics, and a Jewish rabbi who are opposed to CAFTA to submit this, and I was glad to do it, so I submitted this for the Record in its entirety, but tonight for the last 2 or 3 minutes of my time, I want to read just certain points of what those people in the Central American countries are saying. We know what it is doing to American workers, which is not good for the American workers, but let me share this with you very quickly. First of all, these are some points they made in this letter. These are elected officials from these Central Americans countries that said no to CAFTA. First of all, let me read this: CAFTA will only lead to more social instability in the region as more medium and small farmers will lose their livelihoods and become part of the poor population numbers. CAFTA will only lead to more migration to the United States as more people are unable to make a living working in the rural areas and the job perspectives in the cities do not improve. The 20 million people who are currently poor and those that will be further displaced will turn to immigration to the United States as the only solution to their economic problems. Again, this is from the elected leaders of these countries that have asked me to submit this, and they have written every Member of Congress; not just me, but everyone else. Two or three other points very quickly. These seven elected officials as legislative representatives of the region, who represent a diverse perspective of political views, we respectfully ask you to vote no on CAFTA. In addition, they say that the opposition keeps growing all throughout the region, because this treaty threatens to weaken the already vulnerable democratic institutions that were created during the long conflicts of the 1980s. In addition, Mr. Speaker, and then I will close, CAFTA is a bad trade deal because it puts the interests of international corporations ahead of the welfare of the working poor and the poor in Central America. If CAFTA is approved, this social instability that CAFTA supporters like to use as a reason for approving this agreement will come not from the outside forces, but from the pressures created by the millions of displaced workers who will fall further into poverty. Mr. Speaker, I must say tonight in closing that we in this Congress should do what is right for the American people, and that is to defeat CAFTA and go back to the negotiating table and do what is right for the American workers and do what is right for the people in Central America, and then we will do what the Bible says, and that is to help each and every one that needs to be helped. God bless America. Thank you.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am on the floor again tonight. I have been speaking against CAFTA. I have joined my friends on both the Republican side and the Democratic side who feel that CAFTA is not good for the American workers and not good for the American people and certainly does not help those in Central America. And tonight I want to take just a few minutes and insert for the Record the entirety of a letter from seven members of the general assemblies down in five of the countries that are opposed to CAFTA. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman that I met recently is from El Salvador, and this was at a conference last week that the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) and I attended, Interfaith Council of Protestants, Catholics, and also one rabbi to speak in opposition to CAFTA. Let me just give the first introductory statement. It says: ``Dear Members of the United States Congress, the CAFTA market has fewer than 9.2 million people who can buy U.S. goods.'' Now, this is a long letter. It is signed by seven members of the Central American assemblies, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Honduras. Mr. Speaker, I want to go to the last paragraph of the letter from those members of the elected bodies of those countries. And this is what it says in the close of their letter, not mine, but their letter: ``CAFTA is a bad trade deal because it puts the interests of international corporations ahead of the welfare of the working poor and the poor in Central America. If CAFTA is approved, the social instability that CAFTA supporters like to use as a reason for approving the agreement will come not from outside forces, but from the pressures created by the millions of displaced workers who will fall further into poverty.'' It is time to say ``no'' to CAFTA and begin negotiating a new trade agreement that takes into account the region's need for development and real opportunity for its citizens. We respectfully ask you for your support of our people and vote ``no'' on CAFTA. Mr. Speaker, again this is from seven people from different countries who represent their people in Central America who are opposed to this agreement. Let me now go, in the few minutes I have left, to a joint statement concerning the United States Central American Free Trade Agreement by the Bishops' Secretariat of Central America and the chairman of the Domestic and International Policy Committees of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. And let me just make a few points that they make in their long letter of opposition. First it says: ``In light of the values and principles that we have outlined as well as the situation of the people, we express some of our specific concerns about the potential impact of CAFTA on our countries, especially in Central America.'' I am going to just read a few points: ``There has not been sufficient information and debate in our countries about the various aspects of CAFTA and its impact on our societies.'' Another point: in the area of agriculture, there is insufficient attention given to such sensitive issues as the potential impact that U.S. farm supports on Central America farm products. It seems like that poor farming communities in Central America will suffer greatly when subsidized agricultural products from United States expand their reach into these markets. Another point made by the bishops: while certain labor and environmental provisions are included in the agreement, it is not clear that the enforcement mechanisms within CAFTA will lead to stronger protections of fundamental worker rights and the environment. Then there is one other point that I want to read, Mr. Speaker. This, again, was from the Catholic Bishops of Central America and the Catholic Bishops of America: the treaty will have effects on intellectual property rights. The proposed legal framework could jeopardize a right of Central American countries to exercise proper stewardship of their natural resources. Mr. Speaker, I am here tonight because in my State of North Carolina, I was not here when NAFTA passed back in 1992, enacted in 1993, but we have lost over 200,000 jobs in North Carolina. In the country of America, we have lost better than 2.5 million jobs since NAFTA was enacted in 1993. I did not vote for Trade Promotion Authority. I did not think President Bush should have it, nor Clinton. I am not for trying to enable the Chinese to have all of the manufacturing, all of the moneys, and to build their military like they are doing. That is of great concern to many Americans in this country. Mr. Speaker, to my left there is an article that was in a paper in one of my counties in eastern North Carolina about 4 months ago. And it says: VF Jeanswear closes plant. Operations performed in Wilson, North Carolina, which included fabric cutting and finishing garments will be moved to Central America. Quite frankly, it is going to Honduras. Four hundred forty-five American citizens lost their jobs. They are going to Central America without even CAFTA. I do not know what it takes for this Congress to understand that if this country becomes a second-rate manufacturing country, then we can place our orders for airplanes and tanks from China. Mr. Speaker, I hope that I do not live long enough to see that happen. But I am afraid it is going to happen. CAFTA is not good for the American people. It is not even good for the people in these five Central American countries. They need to redraw this amendment. I think I can support an amendment if it were fair to America and fair to Central America. Let us bury CAFTA next week or this week, and God bless America and our men and women in uniform. The letter previously referred to follows: July 19, 2005. Dear Members of the United States Congress: The CAFTA Market Has Fewer Than 9.2 Million People Who Can Buy U.S. Goods President Bush claims that the CAFTA countries represent a growing market for U.S. goods. Unfortunately, this claim is far from the truth. A document prepared by CEPAL (the Economic Commission for Latin America-United Nations) entitled, ``Development Objectives of the millennium, A Glance from Latin America and the Caribbean,'' June 10, 2005, reveals that of a population of 46 million people in the five Central American countries and the Dominican Republic, 25.6 million are poor. Only 20.4 million people are considered non-poor people. These numbers show that the open market of 44 million people that Pres. Bush claims will buy U.S. made goods does not exist. The majority of Central Americans are too poor to be able to afford U.S. made goods. Furthermore, the majority of those who are considered non- poor (20.4 million people), are not secure market for most of the higher end goods and services that the North American companies want to export. This fact has been established by the same study CEPAL which affirms that 20 percent of those 46 million people, control more of 50 percent of the income; this can only mean that only 9.2 million people are the real market for U.S. companies. This is the same market that it is already shared with companies of the region, Europe and Asian countries who export to the region. The low competitive advantage that companies of the Central American region have (i.e., low technology, high interest rates on financing, low skilled workforce), compared to the U.S. companies, will mean that the majority of small and large domestic firms will be devastated, subsequently generating more unemployment and less purchasing capacity for the rest of the population. As in the case of the agro-business products, the level of asymmetry between the subsidized U.S. agro-products, and the non-subsidized Central American products, the situation of displacement is even worse. On its own account, the U.S. Department of Commerce forecast that the present levels of U.S. production will increase by more than 20 billions dollars in the first nine years of the implementation of CAFTA. More exports of U.S. goods to the region, while it is seen as a benefit for U.S. farmers, only means more displacement of the Central American agricultural production, the destruction of the already vulnerable food industry capacity of the region. This further aggravates the levels of poverty and unemployment of million of central American farmers in the region, who are already facing a very difficult economic and social crisis due to the lack of rural development policies by their own governments. Therefore based on these facts, we believe the following: CAFTA will only lead to more social instability in the region as more medium and small farmers will lose their livelihoods and become part of the poor population numbers; CAFTA will bring a weakening of the already vulnerable democratic processes in Central America as more people are excluded from the productive sectors of the economy. More exploitation of workers in the formal sectors of the economy will only lead to further social unrest all through the region; CAFTA will only lead to more migration to the U.S. as more people are unable to make a living working on the rural areas, and the jobs perspectives in the cities do not improve. The 20 million who are currently poor, and those that will be further displaced, will turn to immigration to the U.S. as the only solution to their economic problems. Just like the U.S. has seen an increase of immigrants from Mexico after NAFTA, more central American will turn to migration to the

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak out of order for 5 minutes.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, today at 10 o'clock I had the pleasure of being with my good friend the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) as we attended an interfaith alliance meeting of religious leaders across this Nation and outside of America, really, because they were from the five Central American countries that are in the CAFTA agreement. It was quite an impressive ceremony. We had religious leaders that care about justice and freedom and opportunities, and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) and I had a chance to speak. I will tell you that these religious leaders from across this Nation, as well as from the Central American countries, are opposed to CAFTA. I am opposed to CAFTA. Let me say this: We all agree that we need to have trade relationships with these five Central American countries, but this is not the right agreement. I was so impressed, and I am sure my friend the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) will speak pretty soon about this, that these people were so committed to justice and fairness and opportunity, not just for those in Central America, but those here in America. I think about my home State of North Carolina. We passed NAFTA, which Ross Perot said of in the 1991 debates, ``You know, when we talk about all this NAFTA for Mexico, we are talking about jobs being sucked out of America.'' I will tell you truthfully, in my home State of North Carolina, since 1993 we have lost over 200,000 manufacturing jobs. I know people in my State of North Carolina that have never been able to replace those jobs with the same salary and with the same benefits. This agreement that is going to be brought to the floor next week is a flawed agreement. We need to send it back to be revisited and redrawn, quite frankly. But I want to say just in the next couple of minutes that today was such an experience. These people, they want to have justice for American citizens and workers and also those in the five Central American countries. This agreement does not do it. I can honestly tell you that we only have maybe 25, maybe 26 Republicans that are going to vote no on CAFTA, and it is not that we are against trying to help those in Central America, and we want to help the American workers at the same time, but this agreement is so, so flawed that it will not help those. What really got to me today when I was listening to these people from Central America, they had to have a translator. A couple of them were ministers and there was one priest from the Central American countries, and two of them had to have translators. They were speaking in English, obviously, for those who cannot speak Spanish. But what they were saying is what are we going to do to the workers making a $1 an hour, some making less than $1, and where the work environment is so poor? This agreement will do nothing to help improve that. That is what is flawed about this agreement. It does not help the American worker, it does not help the workers in the five Central American countries. I just hope that we next week in a bipartisan way will do what is right, first for America, and secondly for those countries in Central America, and go back to the table and redraw an agreement that is good for us and good for them. I will say in closing, Mr. Speaker, that I was so impressed with the attitude today at this interfaith conference, because these people want justice for American workers and workers in Central America, and if we do not as a Congress meet our responsibility and do what is right, then I do not think we are meeting our oaths as we got on this floor and raised our hand and said we will support the Constitution of the United States of America. I think we need to do what is right. That is why I am hoping that we will next week vote and defeat this CAFTA bill that will come to the floor, if it does come to the floor, and let us go back to the drawing table and let us do what is right. We can make a really good agreement and help those in America and help those in the five countries. Again, my State of North Carolina has lost over 200,000 manufacturing jobs. People are saying to me, ``Congressman, please, please, defeat the CAFTA agreement when it comes to the floor of the House.'' Mr. Speaker, I will always try to do what I think is right for this country. I want to say thank you to those men and women in uniform in Afghanistan and Iraq and their families, and God bless America.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in sadness to note the recent passing of a dear friend and great American, Ben Ball of Morehead City, North Carolina. Born on October 14, 1956, Ben died too soon at the age of 48. Yet in those 48 years, he led a remarkable life. After attending Wake Forest University, Ben went on to graduate from East Carolina University and then began a successful 25-year career in the real estate business. He was a member of the Carteret County Association of Realtors where he was named Realtor of the Year in 1981, 1992, and in 2002. The North Carolina Association of Realtors named him State Realtor of the Year in 2003, and he served as President of the North Carolina Association in 1992. From 1991 through this year he served as a State Director of the North Carolina Association of Realtors, and was active in the governmental and political process both in Raleigh and in Washington, DC. In addition to his professional activities, Ben was a pillar of his community. He was a lifetime member of First United Methodist Church in Morehead City, NC. He was a past President of the Rotary Club of Morehead City, and in 1997 was named Rotarian of the Year. Additionally, he had served for 5 years as Sponsorship Chairman of the Crystal Coast Habitat for Humanity Golf Tournament, served as Past President of the Carteret County Division of the American Heart Association, Past President of the Morehead City Planning Board, and as Past Chairman of the Carteret County Republican Party. Further, he was a volunteer at West Carteret High School, and assisted ``Toys for Tots'' for the past 5 years to help secure over 500 bicycles for local needy children. Mr. Speaker, I first met Ben many years ago, and knew him as a friend ever since. While Ben was prominent in the community, most importantly--like everyone else who first became acquainted with him through politics, or business, or through community activities--I came to know him not as a political friend, but just as a friend. Period. He was unfailing supportive, uplifting, and caring toward the many people in his life. His being here on this earth made a difference in ways that we all know, and--I am positive--in countless ways that we will never know. In times such as this, there are no words that can fill the void in the hearts of his friends and loved ones. While he is now in the loving arms of God, we who are still here miss him. Ben is survived by his wife, Debbie Carpenter Ball, by his sister Anne Roberts Ball, and by his daughters Debra Kreth Ball and Laura Ryan Ball. They are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio, and I also am delighted to be here in a bipartisan way to do what is right for the American people. I want to take just a few minutes to talk about my State of North Carolina. We all come from Virginia, from Idaho, from Alabama, from Ohio, and many other States, and there will be others that will be coming here tonight to speak, as the gentleman from Ohio mentioned. I do not know how America can work unless we come together, and certainly one of the major issues is trying to save jobs in America. I want to go back very briefly to NAFTA. NAFTA was passed in 1992. I was not here. It was implemented in 1993. In my State of North Carolina, because of NAFTA, we have lost over 200,000 manufacturing jobs. In the Nation we have lost more than 2.5 million jobs. That is just because of NAFTA. And what in the world are we going to do with CAFTA? CAFTA is nothing but a cousin to NAFTA, and NAFTA itself is not well. It is kind of like somebody being sick. NAFTA is sick because it has done nothing to help Americans in this country, and it did nothing to help the Mexicans stay down in Mexico and make a good living wage with benefits so they would not want to come across the border. They are coming across the border now between 8,000 and 10,000 a week. I want to also say about CAFTA, you cannot have fair trade if both countries do not benefit. Those people that want to have CAFTA to become the law of the land, in my opinion, I say to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown), the word is greed. Greed. You cannot help the American people unless you treat our workers fairly, help them maintain their jobs, and not see their jobs sent overseas. Before yielding, I want to show just two charts to my friends here on the floor. This happened in North Carolina in 2003 and it says, ``Pillowtex Goes Bust, Erasing 6,450 Jobs.'' This happened in one day's announcement, 6,450 jobs lost, gone. The subtitle says, ``Five North Carolina Plants Closing in Largest Single Job Loss in State's History.'' I want to share another blow-up of a news article with my friends on the floor. This is from the Wilson Daily Times. This is a county that Congressman G.K. Butterfield and I share together, it is a split county. And it says, this is about 3 months ago, ``VF Jeanswear Closes Plant, Last 445 Jobs Gone By Next Summer.'' The two ladies down here at the bottom named Brenda Webb and Shivan Battle, will not be able to chitchat in the parking lot of VF Jeanswear next year when the plant closes. People were actually crying when this announcement was made. They are losing their jobs and their benefits and their hopes and their dreams. So, Mr. Speaker, I want to say to my friends here tonight on the floor that I look forward to working with my colleagues day in and day out. If CAFTA does come to the floor, hopefully we will be able to defeat it. We have a strong support of Republicans, probably 25 to 30, and I do not think the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Brown) would bend under any circumstances, and I want to thank the gentleman for being the leader he has been. I look forward to continuing to work with the gentleman, and let us do what is right for America and the American people.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am back on the floor again tonight, just like the gentleman that just spoke. I am from North Carolina, a State I am greatly proud of; but I am so concerned about this CAFTA bill. I want to just go back to 1992, to the Presidential debates of that year, 1992. I want to quote one of the candidates for the United States Presidency, Ross Perot: ``You implement that NAFTA, the Mexican Trade Agreement, where they pay people a dollar an hour, have no health care, no retirement, no pollution controls, and you are going to hear a giant sucking sound of jobs being pulled out of this country, right at a time when we need the tax base to pay the debt of this Nation.'' Mr. Speaker, what is so ironic about that is that we are in the same situation today. Our Nation is in so much debt, the deficit is about $417 billion, $7 trillion in debt itself; the average citizen of America owes about $26,000 if they were going to pay off the debt of this Nation. How can we continue to send jobs overseas? Already, China has 1.5 million jobs since 1989. NAFTA itself, since we joined in 1993, in North Carolina alone, we have lost 200,000 manufacturing jobs; the United States has lost over 2.5 million manufacturing jobs. Let me tell my colleagues what is so ironic. So many times when we have these debates, they say, well, if you create a better opportunity down in Guatemala, or whatever country it might be, then they are going to stay home. Let me tell my colleagues how ironic and ridiculous that is. The number of aliens has grown from 1.3 million people in 1992; that was the one year before NAFTA. Since NAFTA, 5.9 million illegal aliens have come across the border, and that is just for the year 2004. That is a 350 percent increase. It does not work. It only works if you are going to increase the livelihood of those people in those countries. It did not happen in Mexico, and it is not going to happen in these five countries in Central America. Let me talk a little bit about CAFTA. CAFTA is the cousin of NAFTA. Eighty-five percent of the language in CAFTA is identical to the language in NAFTA; and, therefore, it is not going to do what needs to be done to help the American people and the American workers. Let me talk about TPA, Trade Promotion Authority, which became the law of the land in August of 2002. My State of North Carolina, since that happened, 52,000 manufacturing jobs lost, and over 600,000 manufacturing jobs in the United States of America. CAFTA will not do what is being proposed by those who say we should pass CAFTA. CAFTA is also going to be a way to allow the Chinese to back-door their goods to these five Central American countries, have them manufacture the product or put the product together, and then sell these duty-free over into America. Mr. Speaker, I again want to say that I hope that we as a Congress will not pass CAFTA as it is drawn. If they want to go back to the table and redraw this legislation so that it is good for America and then good for these other countries, then we will look at it again. But as it is now, it is not good for the American government, it is not good for the American people, and I stand with my Republican friends, I stand with my Democratic friends, and I hope and believe that we will defeat CAFTA. It needs to be defeated.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, Title Two of H.R. 458 is most important to those of us who represent districts with a heavy military presence. It regulates so-called ``military lenders,'' and protects servicemembers from abusive marketing and collection practices by high- cost lenders that are typically clustered outside of military installations, and who increasingly operate on the Internet. It also regulates title lenders and high-cost lenders that charge hidden fees and who frequently refinance loans to generate even more fees. Importantly, it codifies industry best practices rules for payday advance lenders. Today's Armed Forces are the most effective in the history of the world. They have the same credit needs as the rest of us, but are uniquely vulnerable to abusive marketing and collection practices. Many of the young men and women who have volunteered to serve in our military have limited experience in handling financial matters. They have relatively low incomes and can easily fall into debt and have to borrow to help pay expenses. Quite often, they have difficulty borrowing from traditional lenders and have to seek higher-cost credit from specialty lenders such as small loan companies, payday lenders, or finance companies. When relatively unsophisticated borrowers are unable to readily repay a loan from these lenders, they can become consumed with worries over their debt and this undercuts their abilities to fulfill their military duties. Mr. Speaker, the New York Times pointed out abusive lending practices by companies like Pioneer Financial, a Missouri-based high-cost lender which exclusively targets services members, and according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings, employs a loophole to get around the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). According to that paper, Pioneer charges high rates and hidden fees and has the policy of refinancing their existing loans within the first year for the express purpose of generating more fees. Unfortunately, it's not just one company like Pioneer that requires servicemembers to prey on our Armed Forces personnel. Various types of creditors, including finance companies, small loan companies, payday lenders and others, have perpetrated abusive lending practices. That is why this legislation, and Title Two in particular, is so important. Our men and women in uniform have earned the protections that H.R. 458 will provide them.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am here on the floor again tonight to talk about my opposition to CAFTA, the Central American Free Trade Agreement. I want to start my comments by quoting Ross Perot who was a candidate for the presidency in October 1992. I quote Mr. Perot, ``You implement that NAFTA, the Mexican trade agreement, where they pay people a dollar an hour, have no health care, no retirement, no pollution control, and you are going to hear a giant sucking sound of jobs being pulled out of this country right at a time when we need the tax base to pay the debt.'' That is what Mr. Perot said in 1992. Mr. Speaker, since NAFTA became the law of the land, let me tell you what happened in my State of North Carolina. North Carolina has lost over 200,000 manufacturing jobs. The United States has lost over 2.5 million manufacturing jobs. CAFTA will continue these trends; 85 percent of the language in CAFTA is identical to the language in NAFTA. Mr. Speaker, let me talk about Trade Promotion Authority, which I did not support. Since Trade Proportion Authority of August of 1992, North Carolina has lost over 52,000 manufacturing jobs; the United States has lost over 600,000 million manufacturing jobs. Mr. Speaker, CAFTA will do nothing else but to help eliminate jobs in this great Nation. I do not think we as a Nation can afford to continue to see jobs go overseas, whether they be to Central America, China or other countries. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, I found an advertisement in a magazine, and it starts out, Are we blind? Can't we see what is happening to us? This is an ad by the Economy in Crisis. It is creating an awareness about our true economic conditions. Let me take just two aspects of this ad, Losing ownership and control of our country: We are losing ownership and control of our country through unsustainable balances of trade deficits. In the last 10 years, we have lost $3 trillion through these trade deficits. $1.3 trillion has been returned and used by foreign companies to buy our best companies like Chrysler, Amoco, Atlantic Richfield Oil, and 8,600 other great companies. For example, key chokepoints, industries like cement is 81 percent foreign owned. The movie industry is over 70 percent foreign owned. Mr. Speaker, additionally in this ad it says, How well and how long can we live like this? I read just one sentence, How secure can we be if we must live on imports and sell off or dismantle our factories? Mr. Speaker, that is what this is all about. CAFTA is not good for this country. You will see to my left and to my right, one is a newspaper article that says VF Jeanswear Closes Plant, 445 Jobs Gone By Next Summer. Mr. Speaker, those jobs went down to Honduras. Mr. Speaker, those jobs went down to Honduras. And just 2 years ago, in North Carolina, it says Pillowtex Goes Bust, Erasing 6,450 Jobs and the subtitle says, Five North Carolina Plants Closing in Largest Single Job Loss in State's History. That was just 2 years ago, Mr. Speaker, in 2003. I do not know how we as a Congress can pass the CAFTA legislation as it is drawn. I agree with my friends on the other side of the aisle, Democrats and also Republicans who are opposed to CAFTA as it is drawn today. We need to rewrite, redraw this treaty with the Central American countries so that it can work for them as well as it works for the United States. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to show the those in attendance on the floor a candy. It says: Candy decorated fruit snack. And this was made in China. Mr. Speaker, again, in closing, I hope that we on the House floor will do what is right, and that is to help protect jobs in America and help protect the American people who are working so hard to pay their taxes and meet their obligations. Mr. Speaker, I ask God to please bless our men and women in uniform and please bless America.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time of the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Burton).

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the fine service of a good friend and outstanding American, Colonel John D. Gumbel, Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Depot located aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. A native of California, Colonel Gumbel received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from UCLA in 1977 and his Master of Science degree in Defense Systems Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA in 1987. He is also a 1998 distinguished graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces with a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy and a graduate of the Program Managers Course at Defense Systems Management College, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Commissioned through Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC), Colonel Gumbel then followed The Basic School in Quantico, VA with Aviation Supply Officer training in Athens, GA. In April 1978, Colonel Gumbel transferred to the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) for a year where he worked as an aviation supply officer with Marine Air Groups 12 and 15 and as the embark officer for the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit. Colonel Gumbel next transferred to Pensacola for Naval Flight Officer training and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in March 1980. Following Electronic Warfare training at Mather Air Force Base and EA-6B training at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA, Colonel Gumbel was designated an Electronic Countermeasures Officer (ECMO). He reported to Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2 (VMAQ-2) in June 1981 where he served as an ECMO and a maintenance officer. He deployed twice to WESTPAC and aboard the USS Saratoga in the Mediterranean before transferring to the Naval Postgraduate School in 1985. He served his postgraduate payback tour as the Reserve Enlisted Manpower Analyst at Headquarters Marine Corps from 1987 to 1990. Following Aviation Maintenance Officer School and refresher training in the EA-6B, Colonel Gumbel reported to VMAQ-2 in January 1991 in Shaik Isa, Bahrain, for service during the Gulf War. He served as the maintenance officer for VMAQ-2 after their return to the U.S. and as the Executive Officer of VMAQ-2 (Det. X) and later as the Executive Officer of VMAQ-1 following VMAQ-2's split into VMAQ-l, 2, and 3 in June 1992. He deployed to WESTPAC with VMAQ-1. Colonel Gumbel transferred to Naval Air Systems Command in June 1994, where he served as the EA-6B Class Desk until July 1997. He attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces during the 1997-98 class year and reported to the Joint Staff in June 1998. During his two-year joint tour, Colonel Gumbel worked in J-39, Information Operations, where he focused on Electronic Warfare and special access program issues. From June 2000 to June 2001, Colonel Gumbel was the Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. In July 2001, Colonel Gumbel reported for duty to Naval Aviation Depot Cherry Point, NC. Naval Air Depot Cherry Point is responsible for providing maintenance, engineering and logistics support on a variety of military aircraft, engines and components. Employing over 4,000 personnel, the facility is North Carolina's largest industrial employer east of 1-95 and is a valuable asset to our nation's military. In 2004, under his command, the depot rebuilt 462 engines for our Navy and Marine Corps helicopters that are currently relied upon to transport our troops in the global war on terror. Colonel Gumbel's personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal Strike/Flight numeral I, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Mr. Speaker, today marks the end of Colonel Gumbel's 27 year career in the United States Marine Corps, but although he no longer wears the uniform, he will forever be a Marine. I would like to wish Colonel John Gumbel the best success as he enters a new chapter in life and to thank not only him, but also his wife Stacy and their three children Evan, Andrew, and Cameron for their loyal service to this Nation.

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, June 24, 2005, I missed several rollcall votes due to a family engagement in North Carolina. I ask that my absence be excused and the Congressional Record show that had I been present: For rollcall No. 310--an amendment to H.R. 3010, I would have voted ``nay;'' for rollcall No. 312--an amendment to H.R. 3010, I would have voted ``yea;'' for rollcall No. 313--an amendment to H.R. 3010, I would have voted ``yea;'' for rollcall No. 317--an amendment to H.R. 3010, I would have voted ``yea;'' for rollcall No. 321--final passage of H.R. 3010, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. 1. Sergeant First Class Mitchell A. Lane 2. Specialist Chad C. Fuller 3. Private First Class Adam L. Thomas 4. Private First Class Evan W. O'Neill 5. Private First Class Kristian E. Parker 6. Lieutenant Colonel Paul W. Kimbrough 7. Navy Petty Officer Darrell Jones 8. Civilian contractor William Carlson 9. Civilian contractor Christopher Glenn Mueller 10. Staff Sergeant Paul A. Sweeney 11. Sergeant Jay A. Blessing 12. Staff Sergeant Thomas A. Walkup Jr. 13. Major Steven Plumhoff 14. Technical Sergeant Howard A. Walters 15. Sergeant Major Phillip R. Albert 16. Technical Sergeant William J. Kerwood 17. Sergeant Theodore L. Perreault 18. Sergeant Roy A. Wood 19. Staff Sergeant Shawn M. Clemens 20. Specialist Robert J. Cook 21. Specialist Adam G. Kinser 22. Sergeant First Class Curtis Mancini 23. Staff Sergeant James D. Mowris 24. Specialist Justin A. Scott 25. Sergeant Danton K. Seitsinger 26. Sergeant Benjamin L. Gilman 27. Sergeant Nicholes Darwin Golding 28. Specialist David E. Hall 29. Staff Sergeant Anthony S. Lagman 30. Sergeant Michael J. Esposito Jr. 31. Command Sergeant Major Dennis Jallah 32. Commander Adrian Basil Szwec 33. Master Sergeant Herbert R. Claunch 34. Specialist Patrick D. Tillman 35. Specialist Phillip L. Witkowski 36. Private First Class Brandon James Wadman 37. Corporal Ronald R. Payne Jr. 38. Chief Warrant Officer Bruce E. Price 39. Petty Officer First Class Brian J. Ouellette 40. Captain Daniel W. Eggers 41. Staff Sergeant Robert J. Mogensen 42. Private First Class Joseph A. Jeffries 43. Corporal David M. Fraise

Mr. JONES of North Carolina

Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, we have coming before us pretty soon an issue called CAFTA, the Central America Free Trade Agreement. I want to start my comments, Ross Perot, when he was a candidate for the Presidency on October 19, 1992 at a Presidential debate said, ``You implement that the NAFTA, the Mexican trade agreement where they pay people a dollar an hour, have no health care, no retirement, no pollution controls, and you are going to hear a giant sucking sound of jobs being pulled out of this country right at a time when we need the tax base to pay the debt.'' Mr. Speaker, Mr. Perot was exactly right. We know Ross Perot as a successful businessman and a man who loves and cares about America. Let me tell Members what happened since December 1993 when NAFTA became the law of the land. Before NAFTA, we ran a trade surplus with Mexico. Now the U.S. runs a $45 billion annual trade deficit with Mexico; from a trade surplus to a trade deficit. In addition, my home State of North Carolina since NAFTA became the law of the land has lost over 200,000 manufacturing jobs. The United States has lost over 2.5 million manufacturing jobs. Let me give some facts about illegal aliens coming from Mexico across the border. Prior to NAFTA, the average was 2 million. Since NAFTA, it is better than 7.5 million. CAFTA will continue these trends. Eighty-five percent of the language in CAFTA is identical to the language in NAFTA. Let me give another example of what has happened to American jobs. In 2002, the Congress, I did not support this legislation, decided to give the President trade promotion authority, known as TPA. Since that time, America's annual trade deficit grew $195 billion to $617 billion. That is how much the trade deficit grew. Let me give an example of TPA and how it relates to North Carolina. Since TPA passed, North Carolina has lost over 52,000 manufacturing jobs. The United States has lost over 600,000 manufacturing jobs. Mr. Speaker, on my left I have got two news articles, one from a couple of years ago in the Raleigh paper known as the News & Observer; it says, Pillowtex Goes Bust, erasing 6,450 jobs. These were five plants in North Carolina that lost that many jobs, 6,450. Then I have got another article from a business in my county I share with the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield), the Wilson Daily Times, says VF Jeanswear Closes Plants, Last 445 Jobs Gone By Next Summer. The jobs are going down to Honduras. Mr. Speaker, a couple of more points. CAFTA means more U.S. job losses. We know what NAFTA has done. We know what Trade Promotion Authority, TPA, has done. CAFTA provides every incentive to outsource jobs to Central America. Average wages in Nicaragua are 95 cents an hour; Guatemala, $1 an hour; El Salvador, $1.25 an hour. Plus, these countries have few labor and environmental standards and CAFTA does little to improve them. CAFTA will allow the Chinese to backdoor fabrics into Central America where it can be assembled and shipped into United States duty-free. The last thing we need is to help China. We have already outsourced 1.5 million jobs to China in the last 15 years. Mr. Speaker, as I begin to close, I want to show my fellow colleagues that might be watching in their offices, recently this was dropped by my office, and it says candy decorated fruit snacks, real fruit. Then you turn it over and it says, ``made in China.'' If the candy we are eating now in America, many of it is made in China, then I wonder if one day at the rate we are going of losing these manufacturing jobs, that we might be buying our tanks for our military from China. I hope, Mr. Speaker, that does not happen. I hope the House will defeat CAFTA. It is not good for America, it is not good for the American worker, and I do not even believe it is good for the people who live in Central America. Mr. Speaker, with that I will close by asking God to please bless our men and women in uniform and their families and ask God to please continue to bless America.