Political Quotes

“this legislation will for the first time focus the attention of the U.S. government on a comprehensive trade strategy towards Africa. We have neglected this continent too long only to the benefit of their former European colonial powers. With the anemic growth in our exports, the U.S. needs to look at every possible market opportunity to improve trade relations. Many may be surprised to learn that U.S. exports to Africa have been growing at a steady rate. Exports from Illinois to South Africa grew from $269 million in 1995 to $413 million in 1998--a 54 percent increase! Illinois exports more to South Africa than it does to Spain or India. The specific African trade picture for Rockford is even better. Exports from Rockford to all of Africa almost doubled, going from $2.9 million in 1995 to $5.1 million in 1998. Some of these exports came from companies like Etnyre of Oregon, which sold asphalt making equipment to the Ivory Coast and Kenya; Newell's International Division in Rockford, which sold office and home products to Zimbabwe and South Africa; Wahl Clipper of Sterling, which sold barbershop hair clippers to South Africa and Nigeria; and Taylor of Rockton, which sold soft serve ice cream machines to South Africa and Nigeria.”