With the completion of the side accords, we have turned NAFTA into a pathbreaking trade agreement.

NAFTA establishes a level playing field, low tariffs, and a tough mechanism for resolving environmental and labor problems.

I am pleased that the United States, Mexico, and Canada have reached agreement on the supplemental accords to the North American Free Trade Agreement.

This legislation will inject new life into many small businesses by significantly increasing the availability of loans that can be guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA).

I am pleased to sign legislation that helps small businesses and their employees.

The demand for SBA loan guarantees has increased over the past several years at a 35 to 40 percent annual rate.

This higher program level will provide an uninterrupted source of credit for small businesses, something that has been lacking over the past few years.

By signing this bill into law today, we further the protection of unique and sensitive lands within the National Forests of Colorado.

NAFTA is strongly in the interest of the United States.

Perhaps most importantly, the lending authority provided by S. 1274 will assist firms in maintaining and creating more than 600,000 jobs over the next four years.

This agreement helps our workers, our environment, our businesses, and our consumers.

Today I pledge my strongest commitment to a major effort this fall to secure NAFTA's passage.

NAFTA is part of my broad economic strategy to gear the American economy for a changing world.

NAFTA will create thousands of high paying American jobs by unlocking access to Mexico, a growing market of 90 million people that thirst for American products and services.

The low-interest SBA loans will be made available primarily to homeowners, renters, and business owners to assist in their recovery from physical damage caused by the flooding in the Midwest.

The best way for the United States to reward that courage is not only for me to sign this flood relief bill.

Disasters provide enough grief without more coming from Washington.

We know we cannot contain the fury of a river.