[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 20 (Tuesday, March 1, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   NOMINATION OF C. GREGORY FARMER AS UNDER SECRETARY OF 
                    COMMERCE FOR TRAVEL AND TOURISM

  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the nomination 
of C. Gregory Farmer of Florida as Under Secretary of Commerce. If 
confirmed, Mr. Farmer will lead the U.S. Travel and Tourism 
Administration [USTTA] within the Department of Commerce and will be 
charged with the responsibility of promoting the United States as an 
international travel destination.
  When speaking to tourism groups, Greg likes to tell of the time he 
embarked on an ambitious vacation of bicycling in--of all places--the 
Grand Canyon. In all seriousness, his job at USTTA may be a similar 
experience. Last year, the House voted to eliminate funding for USTTA, 
and the agency undoubtedly will face another round of skepticism this 
year.
  Simply put, USTTA must do a better job of showing that its 
expenditures generate sales for the U.S. tourism industry. Furthermore, 
it must be a strong voice of policy for this diverse industry, whose 
success is sensitive to even a tinkering in a number of government 
activities, from airline regulation to immigration procedures. The 
United States now boasts a healthy $20 billion trade surplus in 
tourism, and with worldwide travel expected to double by 2005, we must 
have a strategy for maintaining our market share.
  Although our House colleagues have questioned a number of USTTA's 
activities, there should be no doubts about the importance of tourism 
to the U.S. economy. In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts alone, 
visitors spend $7.5 billion on travel related activities each year, and 
1.6 million international tourists visit our State. Our international 
numbers will increase even further as Boston hosts a round of World Cup 
soccer this year.
  Mr. Farmer arrives at USTTA with an excellent managerial background. 
For the past 3 years he has served as secretary of commerce for the 
State of Florida, heading an agency of 280-plus employees with 9 
international trade and tourism offices. In addition, he served for 5 
years as administrative assistant to former Congressman Buddy MacKay 
and for 2 years as director of government relations for Northern 
Telecom, Inc., here in Washington, DC.
  It's an understatement to say that tourism is a mainstay of the 
economy of Florida, where tourism generates an estimated $31 billion in 
sales each year. Mr. Farmer has been extremely diligent in promoting 
Florida as a destination in emerging markets such as Latin America and 
Asia, and in this respect his tenure within Governor Chiles' 
administration has been very successful, with the number of 
international visitors to Florida increasing by about 11 percent.
  Mr. Farmer has also guided the Florida tourism industry through some 
extraordinarily rough times in recent years. The recovery of the 
tourism industry following the destruction of Hurricane Andrew was a 
key to getting the State back in order, both economically and 
symbolically.
  Unfortunately, Mr. Farmer also had the unpleasant task of responding 
to the sad string of violent attacks on tourists in the State of 
Florida. As secretary of commerce, he reacted quickly, working with the 
Governor on a two-pronged approach of increased law enforcement and 
expanded consumer education. In a short time, the State increased funds 
for law enforcement, created a violent street crimes force in Miami, 
and instituted 24-hour security at rest areas along the highways.
  In addition, he led the State's division of tourism in a crime-
prevention campaign through which the State has removed lease 
designations on rental cars, published travel safety brochures in 
several languages, introduced a worldwide consumer hotline, and made 
sure that local businesses are prepared to give directions to 
travelers.
  I might also add that the tourism industry is extremely dependent on 
the overall health of our domestic economy. In this respect, Mr. Farmer 
will be a valuable resource for the Department of Commerce and the 
administration. As secretary of commerce of Florida, he has been at the 
forefront of efforts to improve job training, increase access to 
capital for businesses, and introduce Florida companies to overseas 
opportunities. I am proud to add that in the area of technology 
transfer, he looked to Massachusetts as a model for transferring, 
commercializing, and capitalizing on research and development coming 
out of local universities.
  In this age of budget restraints, Mr. Farmer has become well adept at 
stretching scarce government funds and leveraging support from the 
private sector for important initiatives. I welcome this attitude at 
the USTTA, and I look forward to working with Mr. Farmer in his 
capacity as Assistant Secretary of Commerce.

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