Until this new program is in place. the implementing legislation before us establishes a program to provide financial assistance and training to workers facing economic dislocations associated with NAFTA. It also requires that a comprehensive study of the operations and effects of NAFTA be conducted 3 years after its entry into force. and this is something I will be carefully monitoring from day one. Although the creation of new jobs in the United States is the most important single reason for Americans to support NAFTA. we must not lose sight of the fact that this agreement will also reduce push factors leading to illegal immigration by spurring economic growth in Mexico. Greater employment opportunities for Mexican citizens in their own country mean not only greater consumer demand for American products. but also incentives for Mexicans to remain at home and participate in Mexicos development. In Judiciary Committee testimony earlier this month. Immigration and Naturalization Service Commissioner Doris Meissner described NAFTA as "Americas best opportunity to reduce illegal immigration from Mexico." NAFTA has also been heralded by U.S. negotiators and private sector advisory reports as the strongest multilateral agreement on intellectual property rights ever negotiated. This is critical for U.S. industry. especially hightechnology companies such as biotechnology. computer. pharmaceutical. and others. which depend heavily on such protections tor their products. These innovative and creative industries make tremendous commitments to research and development and are major providers of the hightechnology Jobs that we need in this country.
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