Congressman Rick Larsen's Online Office

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) delivered the following statement on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives this week to encourage action to increase exports for American businesses– a move that will create jobs and spur economic growth. Larsen also sent a letter to Gary Locke, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, urging him to support export promotion.

Larsen is currently home in the 2nd Congressional District meeting with local businesses to discuss creating jobs and growing the economy through export promotion. Export markets are crucial to the Washington state economy. One in three jobs are tied to foreign exports and one-third of agricultural products are shipped overseas. Exports were responsible for 30% of economic growth in Washington state over the past decade and account for nearly half of the new jobs created over the past 30 years. Larsen is committed to increasing opportunities for businesses to export their products overseas in order to create jobs here at home.

“Mr. Speaker, trade creates jobs. In my home state of Washington, one in three jobs is dependent on foreign trade.

“As Congress continues to focus on ways to create jobs, we must help American businesses export their products.

“This weekend I will travel to my district to visit companies who have partnered with Federal programs to increase exports and create jobs.

“Western Chemical, a small business in Ferndale, Washington and a leader in fish health products and biosecurity supplies, recently received $500,000 in financing from the Export-Import bank.

“By utilizing the Ex-Im Bank, Western Chemical is able maintain cash-flow, export their products, and protect the 12 jobs at the Ferndale location.

“Exports drive Washington State’s economy, accounting for over 30% of economic growth over the past decade and contributing to almost half of the new jobs created over the past 30 years.

“I applaud the President’s decision to make exports promotion a priority moving forward.

“The establishment of a National Exports Initiative and setting a goal to double U.S. exports in the next 5 years is a step in the right direction.

“By utilizing the resources from the Department of Agriculture, the US Trade Representative’s office, the Department of Commerce, the Export-Import Bank, and the Department of Energy, the President has made it a priority to help farmers and small businesses increase their exports and create 2 million new jobs here at home.

“Now, we in Congress must provide the resources to help them do that.

“First, we must support the Department of Commerce so that it can hire the needed 328 trade experts to serve as advocates for U.S. companies and assist more than 23,000 American companies to begin or grow their export sales in 2011.

“However, we must not forget that the engine that drives our economy is small business – and that over the last two decades, small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) have accounted for almost 65 percent of new jobs created in the U.S.

“Last year I introduced legislation that directs the Department of Commerce to assist SMEs with exporting their products – particularly to developing economies like China.

“From 2000 - 2007, Washington State exports to China grew by 406 percent.

“This created jobs in sectors like transportation equipment, crop production, and even processed foods.

“I know that the US-Trade Representative has launched an initiative specifically aimed at increasing exports by small- and medium-sized firms in the United States.

“I stand ready to help.

“Lastly, our farmers will benefit as well. For every $1 billion in agricultural exports, 9,000 jobs are created and $1.4 billion in economic activity is generated.

“Our farmers and small business owners want to export their products and they want to create jobs here in the United States.

“I urge my colleagues to help them do this by supporting the President’s National Export Initiative which will in turn create jobs and launch us on a path towards long-term economic growth.  

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