Dick Lugar: “I rise to introduce the North American Cooperative Security Act, NACSA. The purpose of this bill is to enhance the…”

“I rise to introduce the North American Cooperative Security Act, NACSA. The purpose of this bill is to enhance the mutual security and safety of the United States, Canada, and Mexico by providing a framework for better management, communication and coordination between the Governments of North America. To advance these goals, this bill would: Improve procedures for exchanging relevant security information with Mexico and Canada; improve our military-to- military relations with Mexico; improve the security of Mexico's southern border; establish a database to track the movement of members of Central American gangs between the United States, Mexico, and Central American countries; require U.S. government agencies to develop a strategy for achieving an agreement with the Mexican government on joint measures to impede the ability of third country nationals from using Mexico as a transit corridor for unauthorized entry into the United States. Our Nation is inextricably intertwined with Mexico and Canada historically, culturally, and commercially. The flow of goods and people across our borders helps drive our economy and strengthen our culture. The Department of Transportation reports that goods worth more than $633 billion crossed our land borders in 2004. According to the Census Bureau more than 26 million of the 39 million individuals of Hispanic-origin who are legal residents in the United States are of Mexican background.…”