and to advocate for a new vision of fair trade between the United States and our Latin American neighbors that

will contribute to social and economic sustainable development in all participating countries;

WHEREAS, current trade policy has proved itself inherently inequitable and an alternative to 14 years of

harmful trade pacts is crucial to induce domestic job creation and the economic growth desperately needed by

this nation's working families;

WHEREAS, economic development needs to be an essential component of our trade policy so that our brothers

and sisters abroad may also benefit from the enactment of FAIR trade agreements;

WHEREAS, passage of the Trade Reform, Accountability, Development and Employment (TRADE) Act is

critical for workers at home and in the developing countries as it provides a concrete framework to guide the

formulation of fair trade policy, strengthens the role of Congress in trade policymaking, calls for the review of

existing trade agreements and the renegotiation of existing trade agreements based on that review and

establishes labor and environmental standards;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) will

be strongly opposed to expanding the failed NAFTA and CAFTA model through the "free trade" agreements

between the United States and Colombia, and Panama, and will mobilize our constituency throughout the

United States and Puerto Rico, to work in vehement opposition to their passage, and call on the U.S. Congress

directly to reject these agreements.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) will

mobilize its constituency and urge Congress to support the Trade Reform, Accountability, Development and

Employment (TRADE) Act and similar trade policy initiatives that will empower workers and push for an

economic agenda that allows them to share in the benefits of global trade while promoting widespread

prosperity and democratic transparency.

Respectfully submitted by:

LCLAA Executive Board

REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE:_________________________

CONCURRENCE: _______________________________________

NON-CONCURRENCE:___________________________________