"I thank the Congress for approving a good agreement with Peru. And now I ask you to approve agreements with Colombia and Panama and South Korea. (Applause.) Many products from these nations now enter America duty-free, yet many of our products face steep tariffs in their markets. These agreements will level the playing field. They will give us better access to nearly 100 million customers. They will support good jobs for the finest workers in the world: those whose products say "Made in the USA." (Applause.)
These agreements also promote America's strategic interests. The first agreement that will come before you is with Colombia, a friend of America that is confronting violence and terror, and fighting drug traffickers. If we fail to pass this agreement, we will embolden the purveyors of false populism in our hemisphere. So we must come together, pass this agreement, and show our neighbors in the region that democracy leads to a better life. (Applause.)
Trade brings better jobs and better choices and better prices. Yet for some Americans, trade can mean losing a job, and the federal government has a responsibility to help. (Applause.) I ask Congress to reauthorize and reform trade adjustment assistance, so we can help these displaced workers learn new skills and find new jobs. (Applause.)"

More can be googled but here are more information to get more background...  
http://thehill.com/business--lobby/white-house-expected-to-offer-colombia-fta-2008-01-09.html
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/sfl-flzcolombiatrade0129sbjan29,0,3449640.story

As it relates to Michigan there are many Colombian families here (including my wife who is from Colombia...she is a "legal immigrant" for those who are ignorant enough to think that anybody here with an accent or speaks Spanish in public is here illegally---that's another blog to write on).   Colombia is a very important strategic ally to the US (especially with the rise of Chavez in Venezuela) and in general I am a strong proponent of open trade and very much against protectionism.    

Sooo on Friday the 15th of February I was flying from Washington DC to Detroit ( you never know who you will bump into on a Northwest plane from DC to Detroit) and I just so  just so happened to have Michigan US Senator Carl Levin (D) and Detroit US Congressman John Conyers (D) on my flight(yeah I know lucky me ....).  After we landed at metro I made it a point to ask both of them about supporting this Colombia Trade Pact legislation.

Senator Carl Levin response was "Ok" (did not say yes or no, but I can respect that)

John Conyers response was.... "if this is that trade bill I am thinking of there is NO WAY I will support it"

The point I am trying to get across is we need to be in front of those "representing us" and let them know issues that are important to us regardless of what side of the aisle they are on.  Additionally, it is great to know their position on issues that are important to us.

The MRNHA (www.mrnha.org) of Michigan is helping the Republican Party and the Hispanic Community of Michigan with a strong conservative voice.  Please help us by connecting us to conservative Hispanics.