Reps. Meyer, Hager, Stahl, LaJoy, Vander Veen, Hune, Brandenburg, Sheltrown, Spade, Nitz, Rivet, Ehardt, Byrum, DeRossett, Elkins, Gillard, Gleason, Hummel, Julian, Kolb, Milosch, Newell, Sak, Tabor, Voorhees and Williams offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 195.

            A resolution to urge the President of the United States to remove sugar from the list of commodities to be included in the Central American Free Trade Agreement.

            Whereas, As various segments of the American economy cope with the impact of individual free trade agreements, it is clear to many people that some of these agreements can have a damaging impact on specific industries.  The complications of the global economy and the enormous range of conditions in countries that join in these agreements have led to some unforeseen and harmful consequences; and

            Whereas, As our nation works on the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), sugar producers in Michigan and throughout the United States are concerned that including sugar in this agreement will prove to be devastating.  Sugar producers have instead worked to address the relevant trade issues in the context of a global approach rather than regional agreements like CAFTA; and

            Whereas, Sugar is a central part of Michigan agriculture.  With 2,000 sugar beet farmers working over 190,000 acres, Michigan annually produces 900 million pounds of sugar worth more than $300 million.  Representatives of Michigan's sugar industry have worked with their counterparts around the country to communicate the serious damage that will be done to the domestic industry if sugar is included in the provisions of CAFTA.  Michigan's sugar beet-growing families are worried about the future of their operations under CAFTA if sugar remains in its provisions.  Clearly, our state cannot afford such a blow to such an important and historic part of our state's economy and heritage; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the President of the United States to remove sugar from the list of commodities to be included in the Central American Free Trade Agreement; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Office of the President of the United States and the United States Trade Representative.