On the recordOctober 12, 2011
we are now on the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. I am not going to take a lot of time. I think most Senators know how they are going to vote. Let me say I have visited Colombia. I am extremely impressed with the progress Colombia has made. Colombia was a failed state, a failed country about 10 years ago. With America's Plan Colombia and the assistance we have given, the narcotraffic is dramatically down, the labor killings are dramatically down. Clearly, we don't want one labor member killed or anyone killed in Colombia. But the fact is there is tremendous progress in Colombia. Colombia is so important to America's geopolitical future and to South America. If we cut and run, Colombia is going to run away from the United States. We will not be trusted. They will go to other countries, including Venezuela, China, and so forth. I urge my colleagues who are on the fence--who are on the fence--to vote for this because that is a vote for the future. The glass is half full. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator's time has expired. Who yields time? The Senator from Ohio.
