Dear Representative __________________:

On behalf of the XXXXX members of the Dallas Group, we write to urge you to oppose fast track trade legislation. Once the House-Senate conference on fast track finishes its work, the House will have the opportunity to reverse the decision made last December when it approved fast track by just one vote.

NOTE TWO OPTIONS: TO DECIDE WHICH TO USE, SEE YOU REPS FAST TRACK VOTE AT <WWW.LCV.ORG> LOOK THEM UP ON THE 2001 SCORECARD.

OPTION A: We thank you for your vote against fast track at that time and urge you to stay the course now by opposing the fast track conference report.

OPTION B. We were deeply disappointed by your decision last December to support fast track. We urge you to reconsider your position and to vote against the fast-track conference report when it comes back to the House.

Fast-track trade legislation would deprive Congress of the right to fix trade deals even when they threaten the environment. We are deeply concerned because this legislation would be used to expand to more countries provisions in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that give foreign corporations the power to discourage environmental protection by suing U.S. taxpayers for billions if our environmental laws interfere with corporate profits. According to a Tufts University study, NAFTA-style corporate lawsuits could eventually cost US taxpayers $32 billion per year.

Originally, NAFTA's corporate lawsuits were intended to protect US investors in other countries from the seizure of their assets by host governments. In practice, the rules expose virtually all domestic environmental laws -- pollution controls, smart growth programs, and land conservation rules -- as potential NAFTA violations.

If fast track passes, it could be used to expand NAFTA-style corporate lawsuits throughout the Western Hemisphere and eventually the entire world. Environmental progress could then grind to a halt as taxpayers at home and abroad are forced to pay billions of dollars in damage claims to global corporations.

The best way to truly stop expansion of NAFTA's corporate lawsuits is to get rid of fast track. Doing so would not stop trade. Instead, it would give distinguished leaders such as Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) and Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI) the opportunity to lead the charge for a more balanced and democratic form of trade negotiating authority.

We, therefore, urge you to oppose this fast track legislation in the name of a new trade policy that is truly clean, green, and fair.