The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“INTRODUCTION OF THE U.S.-PARAGUAY PARTNERSHIP ACT OF 2009” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E836 on April 1, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
INTRODUCTION OF THE U.S.-PARAGUAY PARTNERSHIP ACT OF 2009
______
HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL
of new york
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, today, I am pleased to introduce the U.S.-
Paraguay Partnership Act of 2009 which will add Paraguay as an Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) beneficiary country. As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, I have spent countless hours over the past two years urging greater U.S. engagement in the Americas. Congress's passage of the U.S.-Paraguay Partnership Act of 2009 will be one small step in that direction.
Paraguay is the second poorest country in South America--after only Bolivia. 30% of Paraguayans live in poverty and 13% live in extreme poverty. Paraguay's inclusion as an ATPA beneficiary country would allow the country to create well-needed jobs and reduce poverty.
But, the U.S.-Paraguay Partnership Act of 2009 is about much more than poverty reduction. This bill will serve the dual purpose of reducing poverty in Paraguay and enhancing the already strong relationship between our two countries. I visited President Lugo in Asuncion in November, and he expressed to me his interest in a strong relationship with the United States. President Lugo is the first Paraguayan president to be elected not from the Colorado party in 60 years, and he is already a good friend of the United States.
Paraguay is a small, landlocked country that is often left out of discussions of U.S. policy toward Latin America. But, it is a crucial ally in so many areas. According to the State Department's February 2009 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, in 2008, Paraguay's National Anti-drug Secretariat (SENAD) seized a record 172 metric tons of marijuana. Paraguay also works closely with the U.S. and its neighbors Argentina and Brazil in the ``3+1 process'' to curb illicit activities in the so-called tri-border area where the borders of Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil meet.
Over the past two years, I have been highly critical of Congress's short-term extensions of ATPA. It is my hope both that Paraguay will be quickly added to ATPA and that ATPA will then be extended for a much longer time period than in the past.
During his campaign, President Obama said that ``my policy toward the Americas will be guided by the simple principle that what's good for the people of the Americas is good for the United States.'' The U.S.-
Paraguay Partnership Act of 2009 embodies the spirit of President Obama's statement, and will be a win-win for both countries.
____________________
