(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Members of Congress - Democrats and Republicans, in the House and Senate alike - are hearing a resounding "yes to Permanent Normal Trade Relations" (PNTR) with China from their constituents over the Easter recess due to the efforts of The Business Roundtable. PNTR legislation will bring to life a landmark market access agreement with China and create hundreds of new opportunities for U.S. workers, farmers and businesses to export to China's 1.3 billion consumers.

Throughout the recess, the BRT's grassroots goTRADE organization is conducting dozens of in-district meetings with members of Congress, attending congressional town hall meetings and conducting public events in support of the PNTR vote. House Speaker Dennis Hastert has scheduled a vote on the measure for the week of May 22.

"The United States has the unparalleled opportunity to open the world's largest country - China - to American goods and services, and to our democratic values and ideals," said BRT President Samuel L. Maury. "All Congress must do is make permanent our trade relations status with China. Increased trade with China will benefit members' constituents through jobs and new economic opportunities for American workers, farmers, companies and consumers."

Already this year, the BRT's grassroots network has conducted about 300 face-to-face meetings with members of Congress and staff. Many of the BRT-organized visits included delegations of local business operators and workers, who delivered testimonials on the importance of the Chinese market to their economic future. In addition to the meetings, the network has generated thousands of letters, faxes, e-mails, and phone calls to Congress in recent weeks, calling for the passage of PNTR legislation.

During the current congressional recess, the BRT's multi-faceted campaign includes:
o Studies being prepared for all 50 states outlining the impact of increased trade with China on each state and its various industries

o Dozens of scheduled meetings led by representatives of small, medium and big businesses with their members of Congress in their districts

o Major TV, radio and print advertising nationally and in key congressional districts of undecided members across the country

o Targeted Internet advertising and grassroots outreach aimed at generating e-mail communications between constituents and their members of Congress

The BRT goTRADE network employs many other creative ways to get the message out to congressional delegations and the public. For example, local business representatives have organized dozens of public events, many featuring a local member of Congress announcing the intent to vote for PNTR. The network also has met with many newspaper editorial boards to demonstrate the importance of the Chinese market to local economies. To further educate members of Congress and the media, the BRT has distributed some 19,000 educational reports and articles around the country.