National Conference of State Legislators, Labor and Economic Development Conference

SAN DIEGO – Dec. 10, 2009:  Texas and Alabama will spar in the Rose Bowl for the college National Championship in football, but two ardent fans on the opposite sides agree on one thing: International Trade.

Alabama Rep. Earl Hilliard, Jr., representing District 60 in the state legislature, discussed the state’s role in fostering and promoting international trade with the U.S. Trade Ambassador Ron Kirk, who is a Texas native.

During the hour-long meeting, Rep. Hilliard and members of the National Conference of State Legislatures Labor and Economic Development Committee outlined state priorities in growing jobs related to trade. Ambassador Kirk highlighted the importance of states in furthering the Obama administration’s goals of protecting intellectual property and the innovations coming from the United States. Kirk also said his goal is to increase market access for America’s farmers, ranchers, service providers and small business men and women as well as establish new relationships with potential trade partners abroad.

“Ninety-five percent of U.S. exports are from small businesses, but that’s less than one percent of small businesses in the nation,” said Rep. Hilliard. “Ambassador Kirk wants states to get more small business to export their products because they are the ones that drive business in this country. State legislators need to be engaged in that process.”

This meeting between state legislators and the U.S. Trade Ambassador took place at the NCSL’s Fall Forum in San Diego. The three-day meeting, themed “New Ideas, New Opportunities,” features an array of speakers and presentations who addressed state budgets and economic recovery, education reform, job creation and state innovations. Rep. Hilliard is the vice chair of the NCSL’s Labor and Economic Development Committee.

Ambassador Kirk also discussed easing travel restrictions and opening trade with Cuba. He also encouraged states to consider trade with the United States’ North American neighbors Canada and Mexico.

“Trade is so important for the United States because 95 percent of the world’s consumers live outside the US,” Kirk said.

The Ambassador also wants to improve the dialogue between state legislators and the United State Trade Representative. And to start the increased talks, Rep. Hilliard made a comment about Alabama beating Texas by 20 points in the Rose Bowl game, Ambassador Kirk was quick to remind him that the Alabama quarterback is from Texas.

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