Speech #990183135

I think that this discussion for our colleagues. which hopefully many of them will have an opportunity to listen to or to read in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD is something that is long overdue and perhaps we need to do more frequently and on some specific topics of United StatesMexico relations. As the chairman has suggested. and as other Members from time to time have suggested. our relations with Mexico are of extreme importance and cannot be overlooked. Mexico is our third largest trading partner. and we in the United States need to understand that we have not only trade. but national security. immigration. all kinds of political. cultural. and social issues that bind our two nations together and which. from time to time. we have found also provide sources of friction between the two countries. So I think it is important that we focus on this issue much more than we have done in the past in this country. We have traditionally looked toward Europe and even toward the Pacific Basin. but Mexico remains a major trading partner of the United States. and with its common border. a country for which the United States has a great deal of concern.