News

U.S. Representative Jennifer Dunn (R-Washington) will open the second day of Ex-Im Bank's Annual Conference in Washington D.C. on Friday, May 3, 2002 at 9:00 a.m., addressing exporters and lenders from throughout the U.S., as well as foreign buyers and government officials from throughout the world.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) serves as the official export credit agency of the United States. The mission of Ex-Im Bank is to help finance the sale of U.S. goods and services throughout the world, which helps create and sustain U.S. jobs. Ex-Im Bank supported almost $12.5 billion of U.S. exports worldwide in fiscal year 2001 and is a key player on the Bush Administration's trade policy, foreign policy, and economic stimulus policy teams.

Congresswoman Dunn represents Washington state's 8th Congressional District, located just east of the city of Seattle. Many of the Pacific Northwest's most successful businesses, such as Microsoft, Boeing and PACCAR, employ 8th District residents. All depend on access to international markets.

It is estimated that 33 percent of commodities produced in Washington state are bound for international markets. In total, one in every three jobs depend directly or indirectly on trade. In 2001, Ex-Im Bank supported more than $3.5 billion in Washington state exports.

During her address at the conference, Congresswoman Dunn will discuss the importance of restoring America's leadership on trade and the role of the Export-Import Bank as a tool for opening markets oversees for American businesses.

In addition to Congresswoman Dunn, the Ex-Im Bank conference will feature some of her House colleagues, including J.C. Watts (R-Oklahoma), John LaFalce (D-New York) and Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-Michigan). Polish Deputy Prime Minister Marek Belka will immediately follow Congresswoman Dunn on Friday morning's schedule. Noreen Doyle of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will be address the conference Thursday, May 2nd.