Political Quotes

“I will close with these words which appear at the gates to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. The words of President George H.W. Bush: ``Carved on these walls is the story of America, of a continuing quest to preserve both democracy and decency, and to protect a national treasure that we call the American dream.'' Last evening the names of Patrick Scott Johnson and Gabriel Lenox Rich were carved into those walls. A reminder, once again, that in valor there is hope. Madam President, returning to the issue of trade in my State of Alaska, we are here to debate trade promotion authority. We have had an opportunity to proceed to this measure. I was pleased to be able to vote to advance it earlier this week and again today, and I will continue to support free trade. In my State, which is separated from the contiguous 48 States, our trade is based primarily with those to the west in Asia. Most of our trade does not go to the lower 48 States. So when we think about our trading partners, for Alaskans, it is international trade. International trade in our State supports about 1 in 5 jobs--over 90,000 Alaskan jobs. Of those who are exporters, about 70 percent are small- and medium-sized companies. These are men and women who are engaged in a very sophisticated level of trade overseas, but many of them are relatively small.…”