WASHINGTON - United States Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick today issued the following statement regarding House Majority Leader Dick Armey:

"Dick Armey has been a powerful voice of intellectual conservatism in Congress, and he deserves the thanks of all Americans for his many years of public service. Before his rise to Majority Leader and continuing to today, Dick Armey made his mark on history by being a dogged advocate for smaller, more responsible government, and I know he won't let up now that he's announced his retirement next year.

"Dick Armey has been a stalwart leader in the fight to pry open overseas markets for American consumers, farmers, workers and businesses, and he played a key role in helping to fashion the recent, successful House vote on Trade Promotion Authority. We'll miss him and his devotion to American freedom when he leaves next year, but his ideas and principles will live on in Washington, and I look forward to working with him in the days to come."