SR11: Resolution Text

LRB-3791/2

PJD:kjf:pg

2005 - 2006 LEGISLATURE

2005 Senate RESOLUTION 11

November 29, 2005 - Introduced by Senators Reynolds and Hansen. Referred to Committee on Senate Organization.

SR11,1,3 Relating to: urging all members of Wisconsin's delegation to the United States Congress to vote no on any agreement for the United States to enter into a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) at this time.

SR11,1,5 Whereas, the United States of America has always been the world leader in promoting free trade, which is the hallmark of our capitalistic society; and

SR11,1,7 Whereas, free trade only thrives when there is a level playing field of government regulation between trading partners; and

SR11,1,10 Whereas, the 1993 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was supposed to bring additional prosperity to the United States and level the playing field with Canada and Mexico, perpetuating free trade between our nations; and

SR11,1,13 Whereas, notwithstanding the good intentions of NAFTA, our nation has suffered the loss of almost 900,000 jobs due to NAFTA, many of them in the manufacturing sector; and

SR11,1,15 Whereas, the United States has gone from a trade surplus with Mexico prior to NAFTA to a substantial trade deficit; and

SR11,2,4 Whereas, the United States is a current member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the United States consistently bows to the wishes of the WTO and surrenders our nation's sovereignty by allowing an international governing body to dictate what our laws should be; and

SR11,2,7 Whereas, both the WTO and NAFTA, through the use of trade tribunals, now claim sovereign authority to overrule decisions of American courts and make awards to foreign businesses for violations of trade agreements; and

SR11,2,10 Whereas, both the WTO and NAFTA shift power away from state and local governments towards international trade tribunals operating under international law, instead of domestic statutory or constitutional law; and

SR11,2,12 Whereas, the United States is considering entering into a new 34-member Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA); and

SR11,2,16 Whereas, based upon the experience that the Untied States has had with NAFTA and the WTO, United States membership in the planned FTAA would increase the exodus of manufacturing from Wisconsin and the United States to other countries; now, therefore, be it

SR11,2,20 Resolved by the senate, That the senate of the state of Wisconsin respectfully but firmly urges all members of Wisconsin's delegation to the United States Congress to vote no on any agreement for the United States to enter into the FTAA at this time; and, be it further

SR11,2,24 Resolved, That the senate of the state of Wisconsin urges the United States Congress to not enter into the FTAA until the United States has a greater understanding of the impacts of NAFTA, the WTO, and the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA); and, be it further

SR11,3,2 Resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall send a copy of this resolution to all members of Wisconsin's congressional delegation.

SR11,3,3 (End)