as a result, president aribe has improved the security situation in colombia dramatically. kidnappings are down by 83%. terror attacks down by 76%. homicides decreased by 40%. and homicides against trade unionists have dropped by twice as much, over 80%. mr. president, this is important progress by the government of colombia. it is an important ally of the united states. it deserves our support. and as importantly, exporters in the united states deserve the congress's support, enabling them to export their products without the kind of barriers that currently exist. the trade agreement is in our best interest and i hope that my colleagues will insist that very soon we get the colombia free trade agreement back on track so that this important legislation can pass the congress, be signed into law and begin to help our economy generate jobs and stimulate economic growth. it is an important agreement that has languished far too long and we need to get it moving again. mr. president, i observe the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum ca