BILL REQ. #:  H-1603.1 

Read first time 02/17/2003.   Referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.

     TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
     WHEREAS, Washington's apple industry produces a high quality product; and
     WHEREAS, Washington's apple industry is facing difficult economic times; and
     WHEREAS, The same food quality standards that apply to food exported from the United States do not apply to the same food imported into the United States; and
     WHEREAS, The apples exported from the United States are subjected to higher tariffs than the apples imported into the United States, such as the forty-six percent tariff levied on Washington apples exported to Mexico; and
     WHEREAS, The domestic safety and health requirements, including the requirements to provide safe drinking water and a safe work environment, are not required for the workers abroad;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that fairer trade agreements be developed to create a level playing field for our domestic farmers and orchardists.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.