[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 5, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H5822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRAVEL AND TOURISM IN AMERICA

  (Mrs. MORELLA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I want to remind this body that the travel 
and tourism industry is the Nation's second largest employer, providing 
more than 14,000,000 jobs; the third largest retail sales industry, and 
in 1994, travel and tourism generated more than $58 billion in tax 
revenues.
  Mr. Speaker, dollars that tourists spend trickle down to local 
communities and benefit the whole U.S. economy. The travel and tourism 
industry is diverse and touches every sector of our society, from 
business to the arts to education.
  While travel and tourism is growing throughout the world, the U.S. 
market share is on the decline. With the closing of the U.S. Travel and 
Tourism Administration [USTTA] in April, promotion of travel and 
tourism has dropped to zero.
  We must revitalize this dynamic industry by passing H.R. 2579 during 
the 104th Congress. This important bill would merge the resources of 
the private sector and the Federal Government to improve the promotion 
of international travel and tourism to the United States. The 
legislation would provide the means to encourage international 
travelers to visit the United States.
  Federal support for travel and tourism would protect jobs and promote 
a healthy American economy for the 21st century.

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