John Shaw: “Mr. Speaker, at this time I do rise in very strong support of H.R. 6406, which is a shining example of how international…”

“Mr. Speaker, at this time I do rise in very strong support of H.R. 6406, which is a shining example of how international trade can help the world's poorest people by creating jobs in impoverished nations, also bettering the lives of Americans by reducing costs, creating export opportunities for United States business, and offering United States consumers more choices at lower prices. Living in Florida, I am especially sensitive to the plight of the Haitian people. This legislation includes the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement, also known as the HOPE Act, which is aimed at helping our desperately poor neighbors. This is an act that was created in a bipartisan way with many Members on each side of the aisle participating, and I was very, very pleased to be a part of that. This HOPE Act contains modest provisions to allow Haiti's struggling apparel sector to create jobs and to better integrate the United States and other hemispheric textile industries, such as in Central America. This legislation is critical to help Haiti build an economy to sustain its very young and very fragile democracy and give the Haitian people hope and purpose to cease conflict and embrace a better tomorrow.”