[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 20, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRAVEL AND TOURISM PARTNERSHIP ACT

                                 ______


                             HON. TOBY ROTH

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 20, 1995

  Mr. ROTH. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of the Congressional Travel and 
Tourism Caucus, I ask all Members to support H.R. 2579.
  Embodied in this bill are some of the boldest new ideas to ever come 
out of the private sector.
  H.R. 2579 will strengthen U.S. tourism promotion efforts in a 
expanding and highly-competitive international market.
  Our bill builds on the strength of the travel and tourism industry, 
rather putting another item on the Federal Government's tab.
  The 1700 delegates to the White House Conference on Travel and 
Tourism have already endorsed our public-private partnership plan that 
does just that.
  Some in Congress may ask why it is so critical that we focus on 
tourism, particularly tourism from abroad.
  I can tell you in very clear terms--this is a $535 billion business.
  But this year, we will have 2 million fewer visitors from abroad than 
2 years ago.
  What is 2 million visitors here or there?
  That drop has cost us 177,000 jobs which should have gone to American 
workers.
  H.R. 2579, the Travel and Tourism Partnership Act would change this.
  Through partnering government with the resources and creative talents 
of the American tourism industry, we can recapture our share of the 
world market.
  For future jobs and economic growth in your district, join me in 
supporting this ground breaking legislation.

                          ____________________