On the recordOctober 12, 2011
I thank both Chairman Camp and Chairman Brady for their leadership on the pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. All three countries have seen incredible transformation take place over the last generation, especially Panama and Colombia. {time} 1410 In the last 25 years, they have revolutionized their economies. They've revolutionized socially, and their democracies are robust. I rise in support of the pending trade agreement with Panama and encourage my colleagues to support passage of this important agreement. It's critical, not just to our economy but also for our national security. Passage of this agreement will mark renewed U.S. engagement with the region, while countering anti-Americanism and China's increasing economic prominence in South America. Additionally, the U.S. is the largest user of the Panama Canal and works closely with the Panamanian government to ensure the safety of the canal itself and to enhance regional, maritime, and port security. For this critical asset alone and maintaining that relationship, it would be essential to passing this agreement. I'd like to comment on one other aspect of security that's been enhanced in all three trade agreements, and that's the security of intellectual property rights. These agreements, all three of them, Korea, Panama, and Colombia, make significant improvements to IPR protections for U.S. companies. In all categories of intellectual property rights, U.S.…
