[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 148 (Thursday, September 21, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1832]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            THE KEY TO JOBS

                                 ______


                             HON. TOBY ROTH

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 21, 1995

  Mr. ROTH. Mr. Speaker, I had a meeting this morning with the 
congressional travel and tourism caucus.
  I'm reporting that the travel and tourism is hard at work in every 
district in the Nation: from restaurants to retailers, hotels to 
campgrounds, airlines to rental cars.
  With 13 million employees nationwide and an economic impact of $416 
billion, each and every one of you here needs to stand up and take 
notice.
  Now, I know we're all very busy, but listen to these facts: Tourism 
is No. 1 in service exports; tourism generates exports equal to 
exporting 4-million cars, 1.15-million blue jeans or 5.5-billion 
bushels of wheat.
  Tourism generates $54 billion in Federal, State and local taxes.
  If this had to be replaced, the average American household would have 
to pay an additional $652 in income tax every year.
  But note well for three straight years, U.S. market share of 
international travelers has deteriorated. And it's going to fall again 
this year.
  Clearly, we must take action. I offer you three solutions:
  First, On October 30 to 31, join the 1,700 travel industry 
professionals for the first ever White House Conference.
  Second, join the tourism caucus--support your district. We already 
have more than 273 members.
  Third, cosponsor H.R. 1083--The Travel and Tourism Relief Act. It's 
economically vital to your district and it's vital to America.

                          ____________________