Political Quotes

“Just over 1 year ago, on July 2, 2000, an extraordinary event took place. In a single day the people of Mexico peacefully ended 7 decades of one-party rule with their votes. Tomorrow, the man they elected as their president, Vicente Fox, will address a joint meeting of Congress as part of the first State visit hosted by George W. Bush. The inauguration of Vicente Fox as Mexico's president has ushered in a new chapter in our Nation's relationship with our neighbor to the south. President Bush and President Fox have seized the opportunity to forge a new partnership. Both leaders have acted to leave the past and build a road to the future based on real shared interests. The cornerstone of our relationship with Mexico is the North America Free Trade Agreement, initiated under the President's father's administration. Commerce between the United States and Mexico increased from $83 billion in 1994 to nearly $200 billion in 1999. Total trade among the three NAFTA members, including Canada, reached $557 billion in 1999. Mexico has surpassed Japan as the United States's second largest trading partner. Even so, there is a belief abroad in our land that NAFTA is the culprit for the present economic downturn. This is simply not true.”