Madam Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking Congressman Bart Stupak, for introducing this legislation. Every year on July 1st, I look forward to officially celebrating the establishment of…
Madam Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking Congressman Bart Stupak, for introducing this legislation. Every year on July 1st, I look forward to officially celebrating the establishment of Canada and all of her wonderful accomplishments. Canada has proven to be one of this nation's most trusted allies and as a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I personally work closely with Canadian officials to ensure the 5,500-mile border that we share remains secure. In this era of heightened security, the United States and Canada have renewed cooperative efforts to safeguard the movement of people and goods, improve information-sharing, and strengthen border infrastructure and technology across the border.
In a world in which too many nations still choose conflict over cooperation, and erect barriers instead of bridges, the U.S.-Canadian partnership has been and must ever be a model for others, and the foundation on which to build a common future. Indeed, our relationship is centered on a shared continent, shared values, shared aspirations, and real respect for our differences.
Over the years, our nations have forged the most comprehensive ties of any two nations on Earth. They bind not only our governments, but also our economies, our cultures, and our people. From NORAD to NAFTA, Canadians and Americans have seized opportunities to provide for our common security and prosperity. We've tackled tough problems from acid rain and water pollution to differences over beer and grain in the spirit of friendship and in pragmatism.
Addressing the Canadian parliament 50 years ago, President Truman declared that the success of the U.S.-Canadian relationship was due to ``one part proximity, and nine parts good will and common sense.'' Good will and common sense remain the foundation of our friendship.
In Texas, the territory of the Consulate General in Dallas and the Canadian Consulate in Houston encompasses five states with over 36 million people. Bilateral trade with the region is over $30 billion each year; therefore I am very aware of how important a strong trade relationship is for both countries.
Specifically the cities of Alberta and Houston share a number of distinguishing features which make them sister cities. Over the past 10 years Alberta has had the strongest economy in Canada, with an average rate of growth of 3.7 per cent per year, while Houston continues to thrive as the energy capital of the United States. Canada is the U.S. most important trading partner, with over $570 billion dollars in goods and services being traded between the two countries in 2006. Canada and the U.S. enjoy an interdependent energy relationship, trading oil, natural gas, coal, and electricity. Canada has a reported 178.8 billion barrels of oil reserves as of 2006, second only to Saudi Arabia. Over 95% of these reserves are in oil sands deposits in Alberta. Moreover, Canadian oil sands in Alberta have made Canada the largest exporter of oil to the U.S. and have helped alleviate our dependence on foreign sources of oil from parts of the world which geopolitically face much more risks than our neighbor to the north. Recent proposals by Canadian companies such as Enbridge and Altex to build oil pipelines from Alberta to Houston seem very promising, and I look forward to the progress they make. These 2,000 mile pipelines, which are targeted to be in service by 2010, will send over 500,000 barrels of oil per day.
I would like to congratulate Canada on its many accomplishments over the years and remain appreciative to the people and Government of Canada for their long history of friendship and cooperation with the people and Government of the United States.
