July 28, 2005
Contact:
Marjory Walker
(901) 274-9030
MEMPHIS - NCC Chairman Woods Eastland hailed the passage of DR-CAFTA by the House of Representatives early on July 28. He expressed appreciation to all Cotton Belt Congressional members who carefully listened to their constituents and voted to approve the agreement, which will preserve jobs by enabling the U.S. cotton industry to maintain and expand a 2.7 million bale market.
Eastland cited the agreement as a significant step for U.S. cotton in its effort to remain competitive, especially domestic textile manufacturers who now have a platform to compete with China.
The NCC was an active participant in a coalition of 10 textile and apparel trade associations as well as the Ag Trade Coalition and Business-Coalition for U.S.-Central America in working for DR-CAFTA passage.
The NCC extended special thanks to Representative Kevin Brady (R-TX) - the designated leader on the DR-CAFTA effort; Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA); and Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO) for their leadership and to U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman and Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez for working closely with the cotton and textile industries and Congressional members to address industry concerns.
The NCC also expressed sincere appreciation to all Cotton Belt members who voted for the measure, particularly those representing districts with textile manufacturing and/or cotton production. They include: Reps. Bonner (AL-1), Everett (AL-2), Rogers (AL-3), Aderholt (AL-4), Bachus (AL-6), Miller (FL-1), Kingston (GA-1), Price (GA-6), Linder (GA-7), Westmoreland (GA-8), Deal (GA-10), Gingrey (GA-11), Forbes (VA-4), Goodlatte (VA-6), Hayes (NC-8), Myrick (NC-9), Brown (SC-1), Wilson (SC-2), Barrett (SC-3), Inglis (SC-4), Blackburn (TN-7), Tanner (TN-8), McCrery (LA-4), Alexander (LA-5), Wicker (MS-1), Pickering (MS-3), Emerson (MO-8), Moran (KS-1), Tiahrt (KS-4), Hall (TX-4), Barton (TX-6), Conaway (TX-11), Thornberry (TX-13), Hinojosa (TX-15), Neugebauer (TX-19), DeLay (TX-22), Bonilla (TX-23), Ortiz (TX-27), Cuellar (TX-28), Carter (TX-31), Lucas (OK-3), Cole (OK-4), Pearce (NM-2), Renzi (AZ-1), Franks (AZ-2), Hayworth (AZ-5), Kolbe (AZ-8), Radanovich (CA-19) and Nunes (CA-21).