[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 172 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 172


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              June 3, 2003

        Received and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
           Supporting the 20th Annual National Tourism Week.

Whereas travel and tourism has a major impact on the economy of the United 
        States as the 3rd largest retail sales industry in the Nation;
Whereas 1 out of every 7 people employed in the United States civilian labor 
        force is directly or indirectly employed in the travel and tourism 
        industry;
Whereas international travel to the United States is the largest service export, 
        having generated a trade surplus for 14 consecutive years;
Whereas domestic and international travel generated an estimated $537.2 billion 
        in expenditures in 2002, supporting more than 7.9 million jobs, and 
        creating more than $98.7 billion in tax revenue for Federal, State, and 
        local governments;
Whereas the slowing of the United States economy and international conflicts 
        have had a tremendous negative effect on the tourism industry;
Whereas the Department of Commerce has released the 2002 international year-end 
        arrivals data, revealing that the level of international travel to the 
        United States declined an additional 7 percent between 2001 and 2002;
Whereas tourism contributes substantially to personal growth, education, 
        appreciation of intercultural differences, and the enhancement of 
        international understanding and good will;
Whereas the abundant natural and man-made attractions of the United States and 
        the hospitality of the American people establish the United States as 
        the preeminent destination for both foreign and domestic travelers;
Whereas National Tourism Week was established by Congress in 1983, and first 
        celebrated in May 1984, when President Ronald Reagan signed a 
        proclamation urging citizens to observe the week with appropriate 
        ceremonies and activities;
Whereas, since 1984, National Tourism Week has been celebrated each May by the 
        travel and tourism community, travel industry associations, as well as 
        many States, cities, and localities throughout the Nation; and
Whereas May 10 through 18, 2003, is the 20th Annual National Tourism Week: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) supports National Tourism Week; and
            (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
        calling upon the people of the United States and interested 
        groups to observe National Tourism Week with appropriate 
        ceremonies and activities.

            Passed the House of Representatives June 2, 2003.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.