Bill Archer: “Mr. Chairman, I must take a moment to commend our colleague, the gentleman from Florida. Sam Gibbons, for his hard work…”

“Mr. Chairman, I must take a moment to commend our colleague, the gentleman from Florida. Sam Gibbons, for his hard work, leadership, and expertise, not only on this bill but on all of the trade bills that we have worked on together for so many years. Sam, you have been a rock, a solid free trader, and over these years, you have been a real leader in forcing open markets, reducing trade barriers, and thereby creating greater opportunity for all working Americans in the next century. That is what this is all about: economic improvement and opportunity for all American workers. I realize that this may be the last time that we will be here on the floor together working to achieve freer trade and opportunity for working Americans. I, for one, am going to miss your leadership, your vision, and your expertise, your experience, your unsurpassed knowledge in these trade issues. Mr. Chairman, I strongly support H.R. 2754 to implement the OECD agreement on shipbuilding negotiated by the administration.”