On Sinatra, Don Quixote and Congress
On Sinatra, Don Quixote and Congress
Frank Sinatra sang about Chicago, claiming he saw a stereotype-shattering scene: “a man who danced with his wife.” In a recent trip to the City of Big Shoulders, I saw two related but groundbreaking quests.
One, by Ecuador’s Chicago trade office, sought to inspire action by the U.S. Congress, that remote source of inspiration and action, to extend U.S.-Ecuador trade agreements. By July 31, no less. Otherwise, flowers from Ecuador will have a 6.8 percent tariff when they enter this country. A long shot, getting a trade pact through, but Colombia did it not long ago.
The other quest gave rise to visions of Don Quixote and the Three Musketeers: A veteran importer, transporter and financier has set about to establish a perishables hub at O’Hare airport. Many have tried to put in hubs, most have failed — St. Louis and Pittsburgh in recent years. This trio has big plans, though, and big-city clout.
Articles about the perishables hub and the U.S.-Ecuador trade campaign are in this issue. We also have a news article and guest column that show how the country’s premier flower hub, Miami, keeps at the top of its game by pressing for longer inspection hours and working cooperatively to deal with sequestered cutbacks leading up to Mother’s Day.
You have to admire people who have big goals and try to achieve them. Win or lose, we should pin a rose on them. See you next month.
John Niblock is the floral editor and floral sales manager of The Produce News. He can be contacted at 843/724-9888 or [email protected].
