E1824 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 12, 2011 Today, that deficit has exploded to $273 bil- ple of Cape Verde is one that deserves to be A report issued by the Economic Policy In- lion, and with it, millions of American jobs. A chronicled widely, and, I hope, followed. stitute concluded that the Korea FTA agree- recent study by the Economic Policy Institute [From the New York Times, Oct. 10, 2011] ment not only fails to create jobs for American found that the trade deficit with China elimi- EX-PRESIDENT OF CAPE VERDE WINS GOOD- workers, it would result in the net loss of nated or displaced 2.8 million jobs between GOVERNMENT PRIZE 159,000 U.S. jobs in its first seven years. And 2001 and 2010. (By Adam Nossiter) when one considers the details of the agree- I fear that enactment of the trade agree- MONROVIA, LIBERIA.—Pedro de Verona ment, it is not hard to see why. ments debated in this chamber today will fur- Rodrigues Pires, the former president of Under the proposed Korea FTA, the United ther exacerbate job losses in our country. Cape Verde, the desertlike archipelago about States will eliminate tariffs on South Korean EPI found in a study last year that the 300 miles off the coast of West Africa, has won one of the world’s major prizes, the $5 cars and trucks, increasing South Korean im- Korea FTA alone would displace 159,000 jobs million Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in Af- ports here, without requiring them to buy more in the United States. The same study found rican Leadership. of our vehicles. As a concession, South Korea that the Colombia FTA would cost the Amer- The record of governing in Africa has been did agree to waive certain environmental and ican people 55,000 jobs. poor enough lately that the Mo Ibrahim safety requirements for up to 25,000 cars per It is time for this chamber to ask why our Foundation decided not to award the prize U.S. maker—if suddenly there is demand for nation gives open access to our markets to for the past two years. In many African U.S. cars in South Korea, whose consumers foreign competitors—as is the case with South countries, leaders have refused to leave of- fice after losing elections, tried to alter con- historically have not bought U.S. imports. Korea, Colombia, and Panama—and only, stitutions to ensure their continued tenure More than 95 percent of the cars sold in South years later, look to gain similar access into or gone back on pledges not to run for re- Korea today are made in South Korea. their markets. election. History has shown me that genuine free But on Monday the foundation of Mr. Additionally, no changes were made to the trade comes when all parties receive equal ac- Ibrahim, a Sudan-born telecommunications low domestic content rules. Under the pro- cess to each others’ markets. All three of mogul whose goal is to promote good govern- posed agreement, up to 65 percent of the these agreements fail to do so. ment in Africa, announced it had picked Mr. value of a vehicle can be sourced in low-wage Pires of Cape Verde, a sparsely populated nations like China and still qualify for the I close by calling on my colleagues today to former Portuguese colony of 500,000 people, vote in favor of working Americans by voting mostly of mixed Portuguese-African descent. FTA’s duty-free access. As a result, this against these trade agreements and voting in The islands are a perennial exception to the agreement is an open invitation to the auto in- favor of TAA. many low rankings that international orga- dustry to send American auto parts jobs to f nizations, including Mr. Ibrahim’s, give to China. Indeed, the Korean Auto Workers nations on the continent for human rights Union opposes this FTA because the low do- CAPE VERDEAN EX-PRESIDENT and governing. mestic content rules will also invite the South PIRES IS PRAISED FOR HIS Mr. Pires served two terms—10 years—as Korean parts industry to outsource their jobs LEADERSHIP ROLE president until stepping down last month. to China. Meanwhile, Europe’s trade agree- During that period, the foundation noted, Cape Verde became only the second African ment with South Korea requires 55 percent HON. BARNEY FRANK nation to move up from the United Nations’ domestic content. Even NAFTA required 50 OF MASSACHUSETTS ‘‘least developed’’ category. The foundation percent domestic content. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES says the prize is given only to a democrat- But while this FTA does not follow NAFTA’s ically elected president who has stayed Wednesday, October 12, 2011 ‘‘within the limits set by the county’s con- domestic content requirements, it does rep- licate NAFTA’s special privileges for foreign in- Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, stitution, has left office in the last three vestors. This allows foreign investors to evade last week, on the death of former Cape years and has demonstrated excellence in of- domestic courts and use foreign tribunals to Verdean President Aristides Periera, I noted fice.’’ Mr. Pires resisted suggestions that his get reimbursed for regulatory costs from U.S. the great achievement of that country in show- country’s Constitution could be changed to taxpayers. There are more than 270 Korean ing the world that a nation winning its inde- allow him to run again, a further point in his corporate affiliates in the U.S. who would be pendence in the post-World War II period can favor, the foundation said. In addition to the empowered to use these tribunals to raid our progress economically while fully respecting $5 million award paid over 10 years, the win- Treasury if the Korea FTA were implemented. democratic norms. Earlier this week, that ex- ner receives $200,000 annually for life there- tremely admirable record was recognized as after. Among the laws exposed to attack are fi- well by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation as they ‘‘It is wonderful to see an African leader nancial regulations that the U.S. and Korea who has served his country from the time of implemented to restore stability after the dev- awarded the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in colonial rule through to multiparty democ- African Leadership to Pedro de Verona racy, all the time retaining the interests of astating global financial crisis. The banks and Rodrigues Pires, the recently retired President his people as his guiding principle,’’ Mr. securities firms that wrecked the global econ- of Cape Verde. President Pires was elected to Ibrahim said in a statement. ‘‘The fact that omy would be newly empowered under this two terms as President and was one of those Cape Verde with few natural resources can deal to attack the policies designed to get responsible for the great record of economic become a middle-income country is an exam- them under control. Not surprisingly, the Korea development a record recognized by both the ple not just to the continent but to the FTA is loved by Wall Street’s titans. world.’’ Bush and Obama administrations in their Mr. Ibrahim publishes an index scoring Af- And the FTA even includes President strong support for Cape Verde’s participation rican countries on how they govern, and this Bush’s ban on references to the International in our Millennium Challenge program. Presi- year the index noted significant improve- Labor Organization’s Conventions—the global dent Pires’ popularity and record of success ments in Liberia and Sierra Leone, while labor standard. The agreement does nothing was such that some urged him to support a nonetheless finding an ‘‘unchanged conti- to require South Korean labor law to be put on constitutional amendment so he could run for nental average’’ in ‘‘overall governance qual- equal footing with U.S. law, as under South ity.’’ a third term, but he refused to do that, dem- Korean law, union members can be fired for onstrating a strong commitment to both the f striking and then sued for their employers’ lost spirit and the letter of democracy. THE U.S.-KOREA FREE TRADE profits. The AFL-CIO, Teamsters, and many Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the people of AGREEMENT: A NO WIN SITUA- other American and Korean unions oppose Cape Verde for the example they set so much TION FOR AMERICA AND ITS this FTA. of the world in combining economic progress WORKERS and democratic commitment, and I am glad to With the Big Three beginning to recover and hire more workers thanks to major U.S. gov- once again express to President Pires, whom HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. I had the privilege of meeting in Brockton, ernment assistance, it seems problematic that OF MICHIGAN Massachusetts last summer, my great admira- Congress would support an agreement that IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tion and respect for his work. could boost the auto industry’s profits, but only Mr. Speaker, I ask that the article from the Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at the cost of more off-shored jobs. New York Times about Pedro Pires winning Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, why would The proposed Korea FTA is a bad deal for the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Congress pass three leftover Bush NAFTA- our country and America’s workers. It’s time to Leadership be printed here, because the ex- style ‘‘free trade’’ agreements with Korea, put the American worker first and stop these ample set by President Pires and by the peo- Panama and Colombia? trade deals.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 06:09 Oct 13, 2011 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A12OC8.011 E12OCPT1 jbell on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS October 12, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1825 MR. KEVIN GRYBOSKI California. The U.S. Forest Service estimates erated the plant continuously until it was that these direct jobs in California also provide forced to close the facility in 2009 amid weak- HON. LOU BARLETTA more than 7,000 indirect jobs in related and ness in the lumber market, reduced timber OF PENNSYLVANIA affected businesses. harvests on nearby national forest lands, and At Sierra Pacific Industries, the company’s IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES increasing state regulatory burdens. In June of dedicated team members produce quality 2011 SPI announced that it would rebuild the Wednesday, October 12, 2011 wood products using the most sophisticated mill using new technologies that would allow it Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor equipment and machinery. This basic under- to cut a wider array of log sizes to maximize Kevin Gryboski for his lifetime of outstanding standing represents Sierra Pacific’s philosophy the efficiency of the operation. The mill re- athleticism, and on his acceptance into the toward its valued crew members. During the started in September, 2011 and employs Plains Sports Hall of Fame in Northeastern course of Sierra Pacific’s growth and develop- about 130 workers on two shifts. Pennsylvania. ment, efforts have been made to assure an at- Sierra Pacific Industries generates $11.7 Mr. Gryboski is a graduate of Bishop Hoban mosphere of fair treatment and appreciation million in annual payroll in Tuolumne County High School and Wilkes University. He began for all employees. Some of SPI’s continuing to its direct employees, and pays $400,000 in his baseball career in Plains with a Little programs include: appropriate compensation property taxes. In addition, SPI pays out over League championship in 1984. He was also and benefit levels for crew members and their $200,000 annually to local vendors for their selected first-team All-State and top pitcher in dependents; development of supervisors sen- supplies and services. the state in 1992 while playing for the Plains sitive to the needs and concerns of today’s Mr. Speaker, please join me in praising Si- American Legion Baseball team. While at crew members; and career advancement op- erra Pacific Industries for their diligent work in Bishop Hoban, Mr. Gryboski showed his tal- portunities for all employees through a desire the timber industry and applauding them in the ents on the field, as he was named an all-star to promote from within the company whenever re-opening of the Sonora Sawmill. in 1990 and 1991, and he also played basket- possible. Through a full commitment to this f ball for the Argents. philosophy, SPI continues to be an organiza- H.R. 2017, CONTINUING Mr. Gryboski continued to show his talents tion where its crew members are proud to APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2012 during his time at Wilkes University, where he work and others strive to become part of the participated in both baseball and basketball. team. HON. MICK MULVANEY On the mound, he was named pitcher for the Sierra Pacific continues to make substantial OF SOUTH CAROLINA 1994 Middle Atlantic Conference champion- investments in forestry and mill modernization IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ship team. To this day, he holds the Colonels’ in the State of California. Although many com- all-time record for complete games, and he panies have left the state due to its difficult Wednesday, October 12, 2011 has been inducted into the Wilkes University economic and regulatory climate, SPI remains Mr. MULVANEY. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2017 Athletic Hall of Fame. committed to rebuilding a competitive climate would fund the Federal Government from Oc- Mr. Gryboski is an inspiration to many stu- for business in California and investing in the tober 1, 2011 through October 4, 2011. It was dent-athletes because he showed the impor- rural communities where it operates. considered by a unanimous consent request, tance of education. In 1994, he was drafted by Sierra Pacific Industries is committed to which does not require a recorded vote. Had the Cincinnati Reds, but he deferred signing managing its lands in a responsible and sus- a recorded vote been required, I would have so he could finish earning his degree. He had tainable manner to protect the environment voted against this spending bill. truly ended up with the best of both worlds, as while providing quality wood products and re- f in 1995 he had his degree and signed with the newable power for consumers. To SPI, sus- PERSONAL EXPLANATION Seattle Mariners, where he played until 2001. tainable forest management means more than He was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2002. planting trees. The company employs modern His career also took him to the Texas Rang- forest management practices that closely HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO ers, the Washington Nationals, the Pittsburgh mimic natural forest events. It has invested in OF CALIFORNIA Pirates, and finally to the San Francisco Gi- state-of-the-art equipment to optimize every IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ants in 2008 before he retired after a shoulder fiber of every tree. SPI is a voluntary partner Wednesday, October 12, 2011 injury. He pitched in 190 regular-season in the independent Sustainable Forestry Initia- Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, on Tues- ® ® games and 13 post-season games, and he tive (SFI ) forest certification program to day, October 11, 2011, I regrettably missed helped the Braves win a National League East help ensure our forests are here for genera- the votes on rollcall. My leave of absence was championship. tions to come. The expertise of its registered due to a district event with the Secretary of Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to commend Mr. professional foresters and natural resource Education, Arne Duncan. Had I been present, Kevin Gryboski, and speak for the members of specialists guarantees that wildlife habitats, I would have voted ‘‘Nay’’ on the following bill. his hometown in appreciation of his gifts and water quality, and other forest values are pro- H. Res. 425—Rule providing for consider- abilities. tected. ation of H.R. 3078, United States-Colombia f The Sierra Pacific Foundation was estab- Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation lished and funded in 1979 by A.A. ‘‘Red’’ Act, H.R. 3079, United States-Panama Trade CONGRATULATING SIERRA PA- Emmerson’s father, R.H. ‘‘Curly’’ Emmerson. Promotion Agreement Implementation Act, CIFIC INDUSTRIES ON RE-OPEN- During the past 20 years, the Foundation has H.R. 3080, United States-Korea Free Trade ING THE SONORA SAWMILL provided over $3 million in Higher Education Agreement Implementation Act and the Motion scholarships to dependent children of SPI em- to Concur in the Senate Amendments to H.R. HON. JEFF DENHAM ployees. The Foundation also contributes to 2832 which extends the Generalized System OF CALIFORNIA youth activities and other organizations in the of Preferences, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES communities in which Sierra Pacific Industries Following H. Res. 425, I would have voted has facilities, with contributions to more than ‘‘Yea’’ on the following amendments. Wednesday, October 12, 2011 100 worthy organizations each year. The Waxman Amendment (#11) which adds a Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Foundation awarded $403,250 to 177 students new section at the end of the bill to ensure recognize and congratulate Sierra Pacific In- to assist them as they attend colleges, univer- that the bill complies with the Republican dis- dustries on re-opening the Sonora Sawmill. sities and trade schools during the 2011–2012 cretionary CutGo protocol. The section says if This dedicated business is assisting in bring- school year. the bill authorizes the appropriation of funds ing back economic vitality to the region. Mrs. Ida Emmerson, wife of company presi- and does not reduce an existing authorization Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) is a third-gen- dent A.A. ‘‘Red’’ Emmerson for nearly 41 of appropriations to offset that amount, then eration family-owned forest products company years, served as president of the Sierra Pa- the bill’s provisions cease to be effective. CBO based in Anderson, California. With its forma- cific Foundation until her death in 1996. Red currently scores the bill as spending $1 million tion in 1949, the firm now owns and manages and Ida’s daughter, Carolyn Dietz, proudly over 5 years subject to appropriations. nearly 1.9 million acres of timberland in Cali- succeeded her as Foundation president. Connolly Amendment (#18) which adds a fornia and Washington, and is the second The original Sonora sawmill was first con- new section at the end of the bill that directs largest lumber producer in the United States. structed in 1901. It had several owners before the EPA Administrator not to delay actions to Sierra Pacific employs over 3,500 people in Sierra Pacific Industries purchased it and reduce pollution emissions from waste inciner- these two states, with about 3,000 of them in nearby timberlands in 1995. Sierra Pacific op- ators or industrial boilers at chemical facilities,

VerDate Mar 15 2010 06:09 Oct 13, 2011 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K12OC8.005 E12OCPT1 jbell on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS