MINUTES
SENATE INTERIM COMMITTEE ON NORTH AMERICAN
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
Wednesday, December 10, 1997
1:00 p.m.
North Lake College, Room A345/A347
5001 N. MacArthur Blvd
Irving, Texas
PUBLIC HEARING
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Interim Committee on
North American Free Trade Agreement was held on Wednesday,
December 10, 1997 at the North Lake College, Room
A345/A347, 5001 N. MacArthur Blvd, Irving, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Carlos F. Truan Senator Mario
Gallegos, Jr.
Senator John Carona
Senator Steve Ogden
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
*****
Chairman Truan called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m. There
being a quorum present, the following business was transacted.
The Chair made opening remarks and then recognized Senator
Carona for his opening remarks. The Chair then recognized
North Lake College President Dr. David England for welcoming
remarks. Chairman Truan recognized Senators Shapleigh and
Ogden for opening remarks. The Chairman asked if any
hearing-impaired interpreter services were necessary; none
were requested.
Senator Carona moved to adopt the minutes from the October 13,
1997 meeting. This motion was seconded by Senator Shapleigh.
There being no objection, it was so ordered. Senator Carona
moved to adopt the minutes from the November 13, 1997 meeting.
This motion was seconded by Senator Shapleigh. There being no
objection, it was so ordered.
The Honorable Jeff Moseley, Denton County Judge, was
recognized by the Chairman for invited testimony on the impact
of NAFTA on small businesses. A discussion followed.
Chairman Truan next recognized Mr. Joe Morin, President,
Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce for
invited testimony. A discussion followed. Ms. Susan Tully,
representing the Texas Department of Economic Development,
appeared to testify as a resource witness. A discussion
followed.
At 2:01 p.m. Senator Carona assumed the chair and recognized
Mr. Rick Douglas, President of the Greater Dallas Chamber of
Commerce to present invited testimony. A discussion followed.
The Chair then recognized Mr. Kingsley Jackson to testify on
the impact of NAFTA on his small business. At 2:20 p.m.
Senator Truan resumed the chair and acknowledged the presence
of Sr. Ram n Xilotl, Consul General of Mexico, Dallas office
and Mr. Armando Beteta, Jr. with the NAFTA and Customs Affairs
office of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit of Mexico
for brief remarks. A discussion followed. Chairman Truan
also recognized Ms. C line Fittes, Consul and Trade
Commissioner for the Canadian Consulate General in Dallas, for
brief welcoming remarks to the Committee.
Chairman Truan then recognized Dr. Bernard Weinstein, Director
of the Center for Economic Development and Research,
University of North Texas, for invited testimony on the impact
of the Union Pacific Railroad shipping crisis on NAFTA traffic
in Texas. A discussion followed. At 3:37 p.m. Senator
Carona assumed the chair and recognized Mr. John Martinez with
the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for invited
remarks. A discussion followed.
Mr. Bob Kamm, Senior Vice President, Governmental Affairs and
General Counsel for the Texas Association of Business and
Chambers of Commerce, was recognized by the Chair to introduce
invited testimony from Mr. Heber Garcia on NAFTA's impact on
small business. A discussion followed. Mr. Kamm then
introduced Mr. Richard Payton, owner of a Dallas-based small
business to discuss his experiences with international
business after NAFTA. A discussion followed. Mr. Kamm
finally introduced Mr. Robert Hutchison to discuss his
experience with his small business after NAFTA's
implementation. A discussion followed.
The Chair recognized Mr. Robert Velasquez, Director of the
Southwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center at the University
of Texas at San Antonio for invited testimony regarding his
Center's operations and role in helping small Texas business
after NAFTA's implementation. A discussion followed. The
Chair next recognized Mr. David Pinkus, representing Small
Business United-Texas and the Texas Capital Access Forum, for
invited testimony on the impact of NAFTA on small business in
Texas. A discussion followed.
At 4:55 p.m. Senator Truan resumed the chair and recognized
Ms. Karen Parker, International Trade Specialist with the U.S.
Department of Commerce, to provide invited testimony on
resources available to small business in Texas. A discussion
followed. The Chair then recognized Mr. Carlos Lopez,
Director of the International Trade Center at the University
of Houston for testimony regarding the Center's recent
activities involving small international business
opportunities. A discussion followed.
Chairman Truan then made a call for any public testimony and
there were none present wishing to testify. There being no
further business, at 5:18 p.m. Senator Shapleigh moved that
the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair.
Without objection, it was so ordered.
______________________
Senator Carlos F. Truan, Chair
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Carla D. Buckner, Clerk