April 1, 2002 -- NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies urges the U.S. Senate to approve trade promotion authority for President George W. Bush immediately following its return from the current congressional spring recess. The Association strongly supports H.R. 3005 The Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2001, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last December, but which has been stalled in the Senate since then. “We call upon all of our members and their employees to contact their Senators while they are back home during this recess and let them know how important export sales are to the bottom lines of manufactures and to their communities’ economic well-being,” stated NPES Chairman, David Reny, Vice President and Managing Director, Standard Finishing Systems, Andover, Massachusetts. “Trade promotion authority for the President will help U.S. companies compete for these sales on a more level playing field,” said Reny. NPES believes it is crucial that Congress pass H.R. 3005 this year. Not only is trade promotion authority necessary in the United States’ effort to regain leadership in international trade and encourage international cooperation between the United States and other countries, but also it is essential in strengthening the nation’s domestic economy by creating jobs, and promoting economic growth and prosperity. The bipartisan legislation that cleared the House last year does all this and addresses the concerns that have kept Congress from passing TPA legislation since 1994. Specifically, H.R. 3005 approaches environment and labor concerns constructively, and includes adequate provisions to protect U.S. sovereignty. The environment and labor provisions are key to gaining support for this legislation and are necessary to pass the bill. “NPES is a long-time supporter of global free and fair trade, especially Trade Promotion Authority for the President. H.R. 3005 addresses each side of the debate making it a measure that deserves the needed bipartisan support,” said Regis J. Delmontagne, NPES President. Delmontagne also cautioned that “trade promotion authority should not be encumbered and delayed by being entangled and with other legislative issues that should be addressed separately on their own merits.” It has been nearly eight years since the President of the United States has had Trade Promotion Authority (formerly known as Fast Track Authority). The absence of this executive trade tool has placed the United States at a huge disadvantage among other trading nations that have been negotiating trade deals worldwide. “The United States is long overdue in passing trade negotiating authority for the President. Now more than ever, the United States needs this authority to help strengthen the current U.S. leadership in global commerce,” commented NPES International Trade Committee Chairman, Don Ohlig, Managing Director, Olec Corporation, Irvine, California. “Following the recent enactment of economic stimulus legislation, trade promotion authority for President Bush may be the most important step the Congress can take to further strengthen the emerging U.S. economic recovery,” said Ohlig.