2003-067RESOLUTION NO. 2003-67
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA; SUPPORTING THE FLORIDA
FREE TRADE OF THE AMERICAS ("FTAA") EFFORTS TO
PROMOTE MIAMI AS THE NATURAL LOCATION FOR THE
PERMANENT SECRETARIAT OF THE FTAA; PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the recent history of a comprehensive Western Hemispheric free trade
zone began with the Enterprise Initiative for the Americas proposed by President George
Bush in 1990, and at the first Summit of Americas, held in Miami during December 1994, a
2005 target date was approved for the establishment of the FTAA; and
WHEREAS, successful negotiation and ratification of such a free trade area would
mean significant reduction of trade barriers and lend impetus to the future dynamics in
hemispheric commerce that would be of great benefit to Florida's economy; and
WHEREAS, during the VII American Business Forum in Quito, Ecuador, Florida
FTAA delegates explained Miami's business, infrastructure and cultural advantages to
Latin American and Caribbean government representatives; and
WHEREAS, for the first time, a conceptual design of the building that would house
the FTAA Permanent Secretariat has been designed and presented; and
WHEREAS, Miami is the business capital of the Americas and South Florida is
home to 2100 multinational companies, 25 foreign trade offices, and 40 bi-national
chambers of commerce; and
WHEREAS, over half of U.S. international trade with Latin America and the
Resolution No 2003-67
Page 2
Caribbean flows through Miami; and
WHEREAS, 40 shipping lines through Miami connect 360 ports in 130 countries
around the world, and Miami International Airport is the top U.S. airport for international
travelers to and from Latin America; and
WHEREAS, the Florida FTAA is a non-profit corporation, which supports
hemispheric free trade and efforts to bring the permanent Secretariat of the FTAA to
Miami, supported by Governor Jeb Bush, top state leaders in business and government,
Enterprise Florida, Inc., individual companies and associations statewide.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Commission of the City of ,Aventura supports the efforts of the
Florida FTAA to promote Miami as the natural location for the permanent secretariat of the
FTAA.
Section 2. This resolution shall be effective immediately upon adoption.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Commissioner Cohen, who moved its
adoption. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Holzberg, and upon being put to a
vote, the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Zev Auerbach
Commissioner Jay R. Beskin
Commissioner Ken Cohen
Commissioner Bob Diamond
Commissioner Harry Holzberg
Vice Mayor Manny Grossman
Mayor Jeffrey M. Perlow
yes
no
yes
yes
yes
yes
yes
Resolution No 2003-
Page 3
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 2nd day of September, 2003.
,,~E F F~R~y It,~.. p~E'R L 0~ t ~ MA--Y-~ ~
ATTEST;
TERESA M. SOR~Q~A, Cl'~C
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL SUFFICIENCY: