[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 135 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H11254-H11260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
UNITED STATES NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION ACT OF 1996
Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 2579) to establish the National Tourism Board and the National
Tourism Organization to promote international travel and tourism in the
United States, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 2579
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``United States National
Tourism Organization Act of 1996''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds that--
(1) The travel and tourism industry is the second largest
service and retail industry in the United States, and travel
and tourism services ranked as the largest United States
export in 1995, generating an $18.6 billion surplus for the
United States.
(2) Domestic and international travel and tourism
expenditures totaled $433 billion in 1995, $415 billion spent
directly within the United States and an additional $18
billion spent by international travelers on United States
carriers traveling to the United States.
(3) Direct travel and tourism receipts make up 6 percent of
the United States gross domestic product.
(4) In 1994, the travel and tourism industry was the
nation's second largest employer, directly responsible for
6.3 million jobs and indirectly responsible for another 8
million jobs.
(5) Employment in major sectors of the travel and tourism
industry is expected to increase 35 percent by the year 2005.
(6) 99.7 percent of travel businesses are defined by the
Federal government as small businesses.
(7) The White House Conference on Travel and Tourism in
1995 recommended the establishment of a new national tourism
organization to represent and promote international travel
and tourism to the United States.
(8) Recent Federal tourism promotion efforts have failed to
stem the rapid erosion of our country's international tourism
market share.
(9) In fact, the United States' share of worldwide travel
receipts dropped from a peak of 19.3 percent in 1992 down to
15.7 percent by the end of 1994.
(10) The United States has now fallen to only the third
leading international destination.
(11) Because the United States Travel and Tourism
Administration had insufficient resources and effectiveness
to reverse the recent decline in the United States' share of
international travel and tourism, Congress discontinued
USTTA's funding.
(12) Promotion of the United States' international travel
and tourism interests can be more effectively managed by a
private organization at less cost to the taxpayers.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act is to create a
privately managed, federally sanctioned United States
National Tourism Organization to represent and promote United
States international travel and tourism.
SEC. 3. UNITED STATES NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION.
(a) Establishment.--There is established the United States
National Tourism Organization which shall be a private not-
for-profit organization.
(b) Organization Not a Federal Agency.--The Organization
shall (1) not be considered a Federal agency, (2) have
employees appointed without regard to the provisions of title
5, United States Code, governing appointments in the
competitive service, and paid without regard to the
provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of
that title relating to classification and General Schedule
pay rates, and (3) not be subject to the Federal Advisory
Committee Act or any other Federal law governing the
operation of Federal agencies.
(c) IRS Status.--The Organization shall be presumed to have
the status of an organization described in section 501(c)(6)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 until such time as the
Secretary of the Treasury determines that the Organization
does not meet the requirements of such section.
(d) Purpose of the Organization.--The Organization shall--
(1) seek and work for an increase in the share of the
United States in the global tourism market;
(2) work in conjunction with Federal, State, and local
agencies to develop and implement a coordinated United States
travel and tourism policy;
(3) advise the President, the Congress, and the domestic
travel and tourism industry on the implementation of the
national travel and tourism strategy and on other matters
affecting travel and tourism;
(4) operate travel and tourism promotion programs outside
the United States in partnership with the travel and tourism
industry in the United States;
(5) establish a travel and tourism data bank to gather and
disseminate travel and tourism market data;
(6) conduct market research necessary for effective
promotion of the travel and tourism market; and
(7) promote United States travel and tourism, including
international trade shows and conferences.
(e) Powers of the Organization.--The Organization--
(1) shall have perpetual succession;
(2) shall represent the United States travel and tourism
industry in its relations with international tourism
agencies;
(3) may sue and be sued, make contracts, and acquire, hold,
and dispose of real and personal property, as may be
necessary for its corporate purposes;
(4) may provide financial assistance to any organization or
association in furtherance of the purpose of the corporation;
(5) may adopt and alter a corporate seal;
[[Page H11255]]
(6) may establish and maintain offices for the conduct of
the affairs of the Organization; and
(7) may conduct any and all acts necessary and proper to
carry out the purposes of this Act.
(f) Funding.--
(1) Furtherance of Act.--The Organization may accept gifts,
legacies, devises, contributions, and payments in furtherance
of the purposes of this Act.
(2) Expenses.-- The Organization may also accept such
gifts, legacies, devises, contributions, and payments on
behalf of the National Tourism Organization Board to cover
the expenses of the Board.
(g) Political Activities Prohibited.--The Organization
shall not engage in any activities designed in part or in
whole to promote a political party or the candidacy of any
person seeking or holding political office.
SEC. 4. UNITED STATES NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION BOARD.
(a) Establishment.--There is established the United States
National Tourism Organization Board for the purposes of
governing and supervising the activities of the Organization.
(b) Members.--The Board shall be self perpetuating and the
initial members of the Board shall be appointed or elected as
follows:
(1) The Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade
of the Department of Commerce, who will serve as a member ex
officio;
(2) 5 State Travel Directors elected by the National
Council of State Travel Directors;
(3) 5 members elected by the International Association of
Convention and Visitors Bureaus;
(4) 3 members elected by the Air Transport Association;
(5) 1 member elected by the National Association of
Recreational Vehicle Parks and Campgrounds, 1 member elected
by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association;
(6) 2 members elected by the International Association of
Amusement Parks and Attractions;
(7) 3 members of the travel payments industry appointed by
the Travel Industry Association of America;
(8) 5 members elected by the American Hotel and Motel
Association;
(9) 2 members elected by the American Car Rental
Association; 1 member elected by the American Automobile
Association, 1 member elected by the American Bus
Association, 1 member elected by Amtrak;
(10) 1 member elected by the American Society of Travel
Agents, and 1 member elected by the Association of Retail
Travel Agents;
(11) 1 member elected by the National Tour Association, 1
member elected by the United States Tour Operators
Association;
(12) 1 member elected by the Cruise Lines International
Association, 1 member elected by the National Restaurant
Association, 1 member elected by the National Park
Hospitality Association, 1 member elected by the Airports
Council International, 1 member elected by the Meeting
Professionals International, 1 member elected by the American
Sightseeing International, 4 members elected by the Travel
Industry Association of America;
(13) 1 member elected by the Rural Tourism Foundation;
(14) 1 member elected by the American Association of
Museums; and
(15) 1 member elected by the National Trust for Historic
Preservation.
(c) Chair.--The Board shall elect a Chair for an initial
term of 2 years. After such initial term, the Chair shall be
elected for such term as the Board may designate.
(d) President.--The Board shall appoint and establish the
compensation and duties of a President of the Organization
who shall assist the Chair in organizing and carrying out the
necessary functions of the Board. The duties of the President
shall include serving as a non-voting member of the Tourism
Policy Council established under section 301 of the
International Travel Act of 1961.
(e) Powers and Duties of the Board.--
(1) The Board shall adopt for itself and the Organization
such bylaws and delegation of authority as it deems necessary
and proper, which shall--
(A) require at least a three-fifths majority vote for
amendment;
(B) set forth the process for the number, terms, and
appointment or election of future Board members;
(C) provide the authority for the hiring and compensation
of staff; and
(D) establish the procedures for calling meetings and
providing appropriate notice, including procedures for
closing meetings where confidential information or strategy
will be discussed.
(2) The Board shall designate a place of business for the
receipt of process for the Organization, subject to the laws
of the State or district so designated, where such laws do
not conflict with the provisions of this Act.
(3) The Board shall present testimony and make available
reports on its findings and recommendations to the Congress
and to legislatures of the States on at least a biannual
basis.
(4) Within one year of the date of its first meeting, the
Board shall report to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on
Commerce on a plan for long-term financing for the
Organization, with a focus on contributions from the private
sector and State and local entities, and, if necessary, make
recommendations to the Congress and the President for further
legislation.
(f) Compensation and Expenses.--The Chair and members of
the Board shall serve without compensation but may be
compensated for expenses incurred in carrying out the duties
of the Board.
(g) Immunity.--Members of the Board shall not be personally
liable for any action taken by the Board.
(h) Meetings.--The Board shall meet at the call of the
Chair, but not less frequently than semiannually. The Board
shall meet within 2 months of appointment of all members, but
in any case no later than 6 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 5. SYMBOLS, EMBLEMS, TRADEMARKS, AND NAMES.
(a) In General.--The Organization shall provide for the
design of such symbols, emblems, trademarks, and names as may
be appropriate and shall take all action necessary to protect
and regulate the use of such symbols, emblems, trademarks,
and names under law.
(b) Exclusive Right of the Organization.--The Organization
shall have exclusive right to use the name ``United States
National Tourism Organization'' and the acronym ``USNTO'',
the symbol described in subsection (c)(1)(A), the emblem
described in subsection (c)(1)(B), and the words ``United
States National Tourism Organization'', or any combination
thereof, subject to the use reserved by subsection (c)(2).
(c) Unauthorized Use; Civil Action..--
(1) In general.--Any person who, without the consent of the
Organization, uses--
(A) the symbol of the Organization;
(B) the emblem of the Organization;
(C) any trademark, trade name, sign, symbol, or insignia
falsely representing association with, or authorization by,
the Organization; or
(D) the words ``United States National Tourism
Organization'' or the acronym ``USNTO'' or any combination or
simulation thereof tending to cause confusion, to cause
mistake, to deceive, or to falsely suggest a connection with
the Organization or any Organization activity;
for the purpose of trade, to induce the sale of any goods or
services, or to promote any exhibition, shall be subject to
suit in a civil action brought in the appropriate court by
the Organization for the remedies provided in the Act of July
5, 1946 (60 Stat. 427; 15 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) (popularly
known as the Trademark Act of 1946).
(2) Exception.--Paragraph (1)(D) shall not be construed to
prohibit any person who, before the date of the enactment of
this Act, actually used the words ``United States National
Tourism Organization'' or the acronym ``USNTO'' for any
lawful purpose from continuing such lawful use for the same
purpose and for the same goods and services.
(d) Contributors and Suppliers.--The Organization may
authorize contributors and suppliers of goods and services to
use the trade name of the Organization as well as any
trademark, symbol, insignia, or emblem of the Organization in
advertising that the contributions, goods, or services were
donated, supplied, or furnished to or for the use of,
approved, selected, or used by the Organization.
(e) Limitation.--The Organization may not adopt or use any
existing symbol, emblem, trademark, or name that is protected
under law (including any treaty to which the United States is
a party).
SEC. 6. UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT COOPERATION.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of
State, the United States Trade Representative, Director of
the United States Information Agency, and the Trade and
Development Agency shall--
(1) give priority consideration to recommendations of the
Organization; and
(2) cooperate with the Organization in carrying out its
duties.
(b) Report.--The Under Secretary for International Trade,
the Assistant Secretary for Trade Development, the Assistant
Secretary and Director General for the United States and
Foreign Commercial Service, the Director of the United States
Information Agency, the United States Trade Representative,
and the Trade and Development Agency shall report within 2
years of the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 2
years thereafter to the Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on
Commerce on any travel and tourism activities carried out
with the participation of the United States Federal
Government.
SEC. 7. SUNSET.
(a) Two Year Deadline for Development of Comprehensive
Long-Term Financing Plan.--If within 2 years after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Board has not developed and
implemented a comprehensive plan for the long-term financing
of the Organization, then sections 3 through 6 of this Act
are repealed.
(b) Suspension or Termination of Operations for
Insufficient Funds.--The Board may suspend or terminate the
Organization if sufficient private sector and State or local
government funds are not identified or made available to
continue the Organization's operations.
SEC. 8. TRADE PROMOTION COORDINATING COMMITTEE.
Section 2312 of the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 (15
U.S.C. 4727) is amended in subsection (c) as follows:
(1) By striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (4).
(2) By striking the period at the end of paragraph (5) and
inserting ``; and''.
[[Page H11256]]
(3) By adding after paragraph (5) the following:
``(6) reflect the recommendations of the United States
National Tourism Organization to the degree considered
appropriate by the TPCC.''.
SEC. 9. REPEAL OF UNITED STATES TRAVEL AND TOURISM
ADMINISTRATION AND RELATED PROVISIONS.
(a) In General.--Sections 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 301,
303, 304, 305, 306, and 307 of the International Travel Act
of 1961 (22 U.S.C 2123, 2123a-2123d, 2124, 2124b, and 2126-
2129) are repealed.
(b) Tourism Policy and Export Promotion Act of 1992.--
Section 4 of the Tourism Policy and Export Promotion Act of
1992 is amended in subsection (c)(1)(B)(i) and subsection
(c)(2) by striking ``Under Secretary of Commerce for Travel
and Tourism'' and inserting ``Secretary of Commerce''.
SEC. 10. POWERS AND DUTIES OF SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
Section 201 of the International Travel Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2122) is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 201. In order to carry out the national tourism
policy established in section 101(b) and by the United States
National Tourism Organization Act of 1996, the Secretary of
Commerce (hereafter in this Act referred to as the
`Secretary') shall develop and implement a comprehensive plan
to perform critical tourism functions which, in the
determination of the Secretary, are not being carried out by
the United States National Tourism Organization or other
private sector entities or State governments. Such plan may
include programs to--
``(1) collect and publish comprehensive international
travel and tourism statistics and other marketing
information;
``(2) design, implement, and publish international travel
and tourism forecasting models;
``(3) facilitate the reduction or elimination of barriers
to international travel and tourism; and
``(4) work with the United States National Tourism
Organization, the Tourism Policy Council, State tourism
agencies, and Federal agencies in--
``(A) coordinating the Federal implementation of a national
travel and tourism policy;
``(B) representing the United States' international travel
and tourism interests to foreign governments; and
``(C) maintaining United States participation in
international travel and tourism trade shows and fairs until
such activities can be transferred to such Organization and
other private sector entities.''.
SEC. 11. TOURISM POLICY COUNCIL.
Section 302 of the International Travel Act of 1961 (22
U.S.C. 2124a) is repealed and the following is inserted:
``Sec. 301. (a) In order to ensure that the United States'
national interest in tourism is fully considered in Federal
decision making, there is established a coordinating council
to be known as the Tourism Policy Council (hereafter in this
Act referred to as the `Council').
``(b) The Council shall consist of the following
individuals:
``(1) The Secretary of Commerce, who shall serve as the
Chairman of the Council.
``(2) The Under Secretary of Commerce for International
Trade.
``(3) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
``(4) The Secretary of State.
``(5) The Secretary of Interior.
``(6) The Secretary of Labor.
``(7) The Secretary of Transportation.
``(8) The Commissioner of the United States Customs
Service.
``(9) The President of the United States National Tourism
Organization.
``(10) The Commissioner of the Immigration and
Naturalization Service.
``(11) Representatives of other Federal agencies which have
affected interests at each meeting as deemed appropriate and
invited by the Chairman.
``(c) Members of the Council shall serve without additional
compensation.
``(d) The Council shall conduct its first meeting not later
than 6 months after the date of the enactment of the United
States National Tourism Organization Act of 1996. Thereafter
the Council shall meet not less than 2 times each year.
``(e)(1) The Council shall coordinate national policies and
programs relating to international travel and tourism,
recreation, and national heritage resources, which involve
Federal agencies;
``(2) The Council may request directly from any Federal
department or agency such personnel, information, services,
or facilities as deemed necessary by the Chairman and to the
extent permitted by law and within the limits of available
funds.
``(3) Federal departments and agencies may, in their
discretion, detail to temporary duty with the Council such
personnel as the Chairman may request for carrying out the
functions of the Council. Each such detail of personnel shall
be without loss of seniority, pay, or other employee status.
``(f) Where necessary to prevent the public disclosure of
non-public information which may be presented by a Council
member, the Council may hold, at the discretion of the
Chairman, a closed meeting which may exclude any individual
who is not an officer or employee of the United States.
``(g) The Council shall submit an annual report for the
preceding fiscal year to the President for transmittal to the
Congress on or before December 31 of each year. The report
shall include--
``(1) a comprehensive and detailed report of the activities
and accomplishments of the Council;
``(2) the results of Council efforts to coordinate the
policies and programs of member's agencies that have a
significant effect on international travel and tourism,
recreation, and national heritage resources, including
progress towards resolving interagency conflicts and
development of cooperative program activity;
``(3) an analysis of problems referred to the Council by
State and local governments, the tourism industry, the United
States National Tourism Organization, the Secretary of
Commerce, along with a detailed summary of any action taken
or anticipated to resolve such problems; and
``(4) any recommendation as deemed appropriate by the
Council.
``(h) The membership of the President of the United States
National Tourism Organization on the Council shall not in
itself make the Federal Advisory Committee Act applicable to
the Council.''.
SEC. 12. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act--
(1) the term ``Organization'' means the United States
National Tourism Organization established under section 3;
and
(2) the term ``Board'' means the United States National
Tourism Organization Board established under section 4.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Ohio [Mr. Oxley] and the gentleman from New York [Mr. Manton] each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Oxley].
Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2579 establishes a new, privately
funded, and privately managed tourism organization to represent and
promote international travel and tourism to the United States. I would
note that in 1993, Ohio benefited from $443 million in travel and
tourism receipts, ranking 18th among the States.
This bill is about less government and better government--by the
people and for the people. It repeals the statutory language
authorizing the largely ineffective U.S. Travel and Tourism
Administration, and privatizes its tourism functions as much as
possible into a nationwide private organization--the U.S. National
Tourism Organization, or USNTO.
My first concern when I first reviewed this legislation, is why the
Federal Government needed to be involved at all in establishing a
private tourism organization.
This legislation is important because it allows the Government to
play the role of honest broker in establishing a balanced and unbiased
organization. Operating in a highly competitive marketplace, there is
currently just not enough trust among individual travel and tourism
interests to allow any single group to initiate an industry-wide
tourism promotion association. Companies are still too dubious about
each others' motives to be willing to participate and fund this new
startup.
Thus, the Federal Government is acting, at no cost to the taxpayers,
just to bypass the normal negotiation, paperwork, and antitrust
concerns among industries--creating an incorporated, nonprofit
organization, and allowing them full use of a reserved trademark and
emblem without processing fees, in order to raise funds and carry out
their business. This is the model successfully used when Congress
created the U.S. Olympic Committee many years ago.
This legislation is also necessary to provide the USNTO a special
role in formulating a coordinated national travel and tourism strategy
for our country. One of the reasons the USTTA was disbanded is because
the travel and tourism industries believed that their concerns were not
being sufficiently addressed by the current and previous
administrations--that they were butting up against a brick wall of
beltway bureaucracy.
H.R. 2579 directs the various Federal agencies which affect the
travel and tourism industry to give priority consideration to the
USNTO's recommendations, and to report to Congress on their travel and
tourism related activities. While the agencies are not necessarily
required to follow all of the USNTO's recommendations, the bill signals
the intent of Congress that the USNTO is the federally sanctioned and
primary spokesman for the travel and tourism industry, and that current
and future administrations must pay attention to their concerns.
Furthermore, the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee, a Federal
[[Page H11257]]
committee tasked with coordinating trade policy across Federal
agencies, is now required to make their reports reflect, to the degree
considered appropriate, the recommendations of the USNTO. The Tourism
Policy Council, a similar body dedicated solely to the promotion of
travel and tourism, is slimmed down by the bill, with fewer
regulations, more flexibility, and with the former role of the now
disbanded USTTA privatized and transferred to the USNTO.
This bill thus gives the Federal Government an important and valuable
role in jump-starting this USNTO private tourism promotion
organization, giving it a federally sanctioned role as a priority
spokesman for the industries. It involves no Federal expenditures, but
does tell the Executive branch to wake up and listen to the newly
coordinated private sector.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my good friend and
ranking member, the gentleman from Queens, NY, Mr. Manton, as well as
my good friend from Wisconsin, Mr. Roth, from the Committee on
International Relations. I would say that Toby Roth's middle initial
ought to be ``I''; it ought to be Toby ``I'' Roth, and the ``I'' is for
``indefatigable''. He has worked so hard and so well on crafting this
legislation. Certainly their hard work, the gentleman from New York
[Mr. Manton] and the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Roth], has gone a
long way towards bringing this important bill forward.
I urge my colleagues' support for the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. MANTON asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2579, the
Travel and Tourism Partnership Act of 1996. This bill enjoys strong
bipartisan support in the House and, if adopted, promises to positively
impact the future of travel and tourism in this country.
I would like to commend Chairman Oxley and Chairman Roth for their
leadership in promoting this legislation, and for working cooperatively
with the minority to incorporate changes that we feel have improved the
bill. H.R. 2579 takes a reasonable approach to ensure the promotion of
U.S. travel and tourism with particular emphasis on incorporating
private sector funding and expertise.
Mr. Speaker, the travel and tourism industry contributes
significantly to job creation and revenue generation nationwide. As a
representative from the great State of New York, I am particularly
aware of the important role that travel and tourism play in creating
jobs and producing revenues for the private sector and essential tax
dollars for all levels of government. The significance of the travel
and tourism industry to our local, State, and national economies
compels us to do what we can to maintain and enhance its capacity both
at home and in the international marketplace.
Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 2579 because it draws upon identified
strengths in the promotion of U.S. travel and tourism. Both the
government and the private sector have a stake in seeing to the success
of this approach. The House may well revisit this issue to assess the
progress and reevaluate the resources necessary for such a task, but
for today, we are moving forward with a plan that holds much promise.
H.R. 2579 is a good bill and I urge my colleagues to support the
measure.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
aforementioned gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Roth].
Mr. ROTH Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from Ohio [Mr.
Oxley], very much for yielding me this time.
Mr. Speaker, this is a great day for America's travel and tourist
industry, the second largest industry in America and the most dynamic
industry in America. It is also a great day for the 307 members of the
Travel and Tourist Caucus, the largest caucus in Congress, and as
chairman of the caucus and as a lead sponsor of the bill, I want to
thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their help in making
this day possible.
First I want to thank, of course, the chairman of the full Committee
on Commerce, the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Bliley]; I only had to
ask him once in the gym to bring this bill up; and I want to thank my
good friend, the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Oxley], my neighbor, for all
of his help and his leadership in refining this bill and bringing this
bill to the floor today. Mike, I want to say, Thanks for your help;
this is very important to the people who work in the travel and tourist
industry, and 1 out of every 10 people in America works in the travel
and tourist industry. And I want to thank my good friend, the gentleman
from New York [Mr. Manton], the ranking member, for all the help and
all the advice he has given me with this legislation.
So I want to thank them for their help, and let me thank the chairman
of the Committee on International Relations, the Gentleman from New
York [Mr. Gilman], for expediting the consideration of this measure.
And also, of course, I want to thank the ranking member of the
Committee on Commerce, the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Dingell], for
his cooperation in bringing up this bill.
Finally, let me thank the 262 Members of the House who cosponsored
this bill, a solid and bipartisan majority of the House. Today we are
successfully completing an initiative that began a year ago when the
White House Conference on Travel and Tourism took place. We had more
than 1,700 CEO's and other people in the travel and tourism industry
come to Washington and help craft this legislation.
We do have a problem in travel and tourism, and that is how are we
going to reverse the decline in America's share of the $300 billion
global market, the market that will double in size in the next decade.
To show my colleagues how important travel and tourism is, when the
futurists come here to Capitol Hill, for example, before my committee,
they said there are three pillars in the 21st century that jobs will
come from: telecommunications, information technology, and travel and
tourism. So today we are working on one of the three great pillars for
jobs in the 21st century.
This bill was the No. 1 recommendation of the White House conference
on Travel and Tourism.
The core of the bill, as the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Oxley] pointed
out, is to harness the marketing expertise and the resources of the
private sector and devise new and more effective ways to promote the
United States as a travel destination for the international traveller.
Why is this so important?
Well, the reason this is so important is not only because 1 out of
every 10 jobs in America is in the travel and tourist industry, and
worldwide travel and tourism is the largest industry in the world, but
we are losing ground, America, in a growing market. Two years ago we
had 18 percent of the world's travel market; now we are down to 16
percent, 2 million fewer visitors this year than we had 2 years ago.
Two million, that is a huge decline. We lost some $3 billion in
revenue, and 177,000 jobs could have gone to the Americans but instead
today are going to other countries.
What is worse, under current projections our market share will keep
declining to less than 14 percent by the year 2000. That is only 4
years from now. We clearly need a new initiative to turn the situation
around.
In the travel business, marketing is key. In the travel business,
promotion today translates into increased visitor volume. Our major
competitors understand this, which is why they are pouring money into
tourist promotion. Today the U.S. is outclassed and outgunned in the
global market. In fact, we rank 33d in the world in resources devoted
to national tourism marketing. Other countries are outspending us 10 to
1.
Now this bill will help redress the imbalance. But as has been
pointed out, instead of more government, we provide a new entity for
the private sector to take more of an initiative and more emphasis in
this role. The U.S. National Travel and Tourism Organization and the
National Tourism Board will devise a national strategy to recapture the
global market. Congress, the President and the key Federal
[[Page H11258]]
trade-related agencies will receive recommendations from the best
experts in the national tourism industry. As a result, we will
strengthen the future of the Nation's travel and tourism industry and
the 13 million Americans who work in this great industry.
The future growth of American travel and tourism is vitally dependent
on international visitors. Already one-fifth or $80 billion of our $400
billion national industry comes from overseas visitors. The money spent
here by international visitors contributes to 11 percent of our total
export volume.
This bill will help our industry grow. It will create new jobs and it
will strengthen our trade balance. That is why some of us in Congress
are dedicated to helping our travel and tourist industry. It is why we
have worked closely with the leaders of this industry to build support
for this bill.
Today everyone involved in this effort can be proud of what we have
accomplished. In this bill Congress takes a big step toward a brighter
future for the millions of Americans who have made the travel and
tourist industry the most dynamic in America and, quite frankly, around
the world.
Let me close by saying again that in the 21st century the three great
areas of jobs, according to the futurists, are telecommunication,
information technology, travel and tourism.
So I want to thank the chairman, the gentleman from Virginia [Mr.
Bliley] and the ranking member, the gentleman from Michigan [Mr.
Dingell]. Mr. Dingell has given me some good advice in my 18 years in
Congress, and I want to thank him for his advice on this piece of
legislation because he made it possible. Of course I also want to thank
the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Oxley] and the gentleman from New York
[Mr. Manton] for their advice and their good work. The people whoring
in the 21st century are going to thank them for this legislation, as
are the people that are working the travel and tourist industry here in
America today and around the world.
{time} 1315
Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the distinguished
gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Dinglell], the ranking member of the
committee.
(Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the distinguished
gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Roth], my friend, the author of this
bill. We are going to miss him. He is a fine Member of this body.
I wish, however, that he were leaving behind him a greater legacy
than this piece of legislation which happens to be a bill in search of
a reason to exist. The interesting question that we must ask is what
does this bill to. It really does not do much. I think that can
probably comfort us. But in point of fact, it sets up a nonprofit
corporation. It gives it no money. It assigns it no responsibilities.
We are curious; what is this nonprofit corporation that is being set up
by my dear friend, the gentleman from Wisconsin, for whom I have so
much respect and affection?
The bill is clearly, then, unnecessary. It promises more than it
delivers. Very frankly, were it anybody other than the distinguished
and gentleman from Wisconsin, the author, it would probably be charged
with being a cynical approach to addressing legitimate issues
concerning the U.S. travel and tourism industry.
No one disputes the importance of travel and tourism. The industry
generates billions of dollars and employs thousands of Americans. It is
an important part of the economy of every State, including my own State
of Michigan. Indeed, the travel director of our State, working on
behalf of our good Republican Governor, Mr. Engler, asked me to support
full funding for the U.S. Travel and Tourism Administration early in
this Congress.
I wish very much that he had communicated that thought to my
Republican colleagues, because it was not very long before they
abolished the bill or, rather, they abolished the legislation.
I have been a strong critic of USTTA in the past. If felt that the
agency never proved it brought more into the United States than it cost
American taxpayers to fund it. In 1985, I tried to abolish the agency.
The effort was rejected by a bipartisan majority of the Committee on
Commerce. The vote was 20 to 22.
Seven years later, in a serious effort to address the problem, the
Congress passed bipartisan legislation to reform and to reinvent USTTA.
Under Secretary Brown's leadership the agency made improvements and it
significantly increased its effectiveness. Last fall, the President
convened a successful conference on tourism. Ironically, shortly
thereafter, the Republican Congress passed legislation eliminating
USTTA's appropriation. After that, this bill was introduced.
Mr. Speaker, as I have mentioned, the bill is in search of reason to
exist. Why do we need Federal legislation to create a private
organization? Either there is a compelling interest in justifying
government involvement in the promotion of U.S. tourism interests, or
there is not. If there is such an interest, then the decision to
eliminate the U.S. Travel and Tourism Office funding should be
reconsidered. If there is no such compelling interest, then we should
leave it to the industry to take up and to care for its own interests.
My Republican colleagues are very fond of preaching that we should
get the Federal Government out of the way and turn the matters over to
the States, but their bill creates a Federal mandate to establish a
nonprofit corporation. Laws already exist in the District of Columbia
and in every one of the States governing establishment of nonprofit
corporations.
Supporters of the bill refer to this as a groundbreaking piece of
legislation that is needed more than ever in view of the demise of
USTTA, But anyone who takes a close look at the bill knows that it is
really only feel-good, do-nothing legislation. It does nothing that the
private sector cannot fully and as well do on its own.
However, I am certain that the private sector will be back soon, and
the private sector will then say, now it is time for the Congress to
shower money and special benefits on this new congressionally mandated
corporation.
I do not know how anyone in this body can in good conscience support
this bill. It is an apology to the travel and tourism industry, and I
guess it is what politicians could refer to as cover. It is designed to
make it look like the Congress is doing something good while trying to
hide what the Republicans have already done.
I am going to watch with great curiosity and with great interest in
the coming months to see how this wonderful newly formed U.S. National
Tourism Organization measures up to the splendid promises that are made
in support of this legislation.
In truth, when we look at this bill next year and when we go through
the budget process, we are going to find it has not done anything. In
truth, we are going to find that very shortly people are going to be
down here in this well or over there at the hopper, introducing
legislation or talking for a bill, saying now it is time we have to
spend money on this organization which we set up.
I am not sure who is going to be in this organization. I am not sure
what it is going to do. But no one has established that there is any
reason to put any money in it. As a matter of fact, I suspect that even
the sponsors of this legislation were too embarrassed to suggest that
it should be funded.
So we are passing a bill with neither funding nor responsibilities.
It is going to do nothing, it probably is going to cost the taxpayers a
lot of money, but we can comfortably say it is not going to pass them
now. The really sensible thing to do with this legislation is simply
reject it, vote it down, and be done with it. I would urge that even
more strongly, were it not for the great respect and affection that I
have for the wonderful gentleman from Wisconsin who is the author of
the legislation.
Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I
would say, with friends like the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Dingell],
who needs enemies? But I know Don Quixote from Detroit will put himself
down as undecided, and move on. We appreciate his remarks.
Mr. Speaker, let me just point out, before recognizing the minority
side, that this legislation was carefully crafted to be a bill that
tracked the creation of the U.S. Olympic Committee. I do not think
anybody can really make an argument that creation of the
[[Page H11259]]
U.S. Olympic Committee was not a huge success, both commercially and as
a way of getting our best athletes on the field. So we were very
careful, and I credit the gentleman from Wisconsin for doing exactly
that, understanding how effective that legislation creating the U.S.
Olympic Committee was. I know my friend, the gentleman from Detroit,
has some problems with it, but I have to say that 270, now, cosponsors
of the bill think otherwise.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that we all value our good friend
and colleague, the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Dingell's advice;
however, those who support this bill will hope to prove that he is in
error in his judgment that this bill was not such a good one. We
appreciate his advice, but I think we will all work hard to make this a
good success.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman
from California [Mr. Farr].
Mr. FARR. of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for
yielding time to me.
Mr. Speaker, I am rising in support of this bill as an original
cosponsor. I think Members have heard in the debate between the
gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Dingell], and others that there is a lot
of controversy regarding how we ought to form a national policy
regarding tourism.
It is a difficult issue. In an era when people think, well, tourism
is a very lucrative industry and they ask themselves why does the
industry need Government help. On the other hand, if we look at where
tourists go, to the buildings, to the parks, to the communities, we
will see that almost every community in America and certainly every
State has a State-sponsored tourism office supported by taxpayers'
money. Why is that? Why do we need to put taxpayer money into State
tourism offices? Because it is the selling of a market. The market is
the United States. There are other places in the world to visit.
In fact, there are a lot of Americans who go to the other places, and
many of those Americans could go and spend time in their own State and
in their own country. So, we need to give them, the tourists, American
and foreign, the option of understanding what is available. We only do
that through tourist promotions acts which are generic and essentially
do not advertise a particular place to go. The successful places,
Disneyland and so on, are able to do this on their own.
I have long been a supporter of a partnership between the private
sector and public sector for the promotion of tourism. This act does
not put public sector money in, but this act does create a public
sector awareness and a public sector partnership along with the private
sector in developing two things.
What is does is create a National Tourism Board, made up of people
appointed by the President of the United States, and that board does
four thing. It utilizes the private sector and the public sector to
create policy, a national policy, a generic policy, about travel and
tourism. It also suggests to the President and Congress how we can
increase market share.
Why do we need to do that? Because when the tourists come here they
spend tax dollars. They spend sales tax dollars. They spend room tax or
TOT tax dollars. They spend transportation dollars on gasoline and
airline tickets. Those expenditures benefit the local governments, the
State governments, and the Federal Government to help promote things
like tourism.
The board will also advise the President and Congress, and it will
guide the National Tourism Organization which is also created in this
bill. So I take issue with the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Dingell],
in the fact that it does nothing. I think it does something.
What he points out is that it does not deliver any Federal money.
This is a conservative Congress. We are cutting and squeezing the
Federal Government. This was a decision that was made, that we are not
at this point in time going to give Federal tax dollars to the National
Tourism Organization.
I expect, as the gentleman said, that there will be an opportunity in
the future for us to come back here with a plan that will be well
thought out, well supported at the local level, well supported by the
private sector, indeed asking Congress to appropriate funding.
We need to do this, frankly, because as Congressman Manton said, this
is the largest growing industry in America. It is an industry, if we
think about it, that has a lot of vertical access. There is no glass
ceiling for women in this industry. There are no limitations on
minorities. There are no limitations on people with handicaps. There
are no limitations because of educational degrees. It is an industry
you can get into and move up as fast as your own ability allows you to
do that. It is a fast-growing industry, one of the fastest in the
world.
America is a beautiful place. Part of our democracy is coming to
places like this. Although this is the seat of the Federal Government,
this is also a tourist attraction. As the people are wandering around
the Halls of this great building today, they are being tourists more
than they are being civic-minded people.
Let us realize that part of the selling of what this country is all
about is in its tourism. That is why it is so important for us to be in
partnership with those in the private sector who are taking and risking
venture capital to make a living by promoting tourism. I am strongly in
support of whatever we can do to try to create a Federal partnership,
along with the States, along with local communities, so indeed,
together, we can promote this great country, our great States, and our
communities. So I urge my colleagues to join in support of this
important measure.
I just want to point out that I represent, as one of 435 Members
here, a district like everyone else. I would hope that Members would
take a careful look at their own districts. I happen to be looking at
mine.
I live in an area many know about, the Central Coast of California:
the beautiful Monterey Peninsula, the Big Sur coastline, the Santa Cruz
boardwalk, the Santa Cruz redwoods and mountains--an area that tells us
that we have to manage our resources well. And frankly, the expression
out there is, ``Green is green.'' The more environmental protection you
have, the more money you will make.
It is an area that produces $1.5 billion in agriculture without
Federal subsidies. It is a region that draws $1.5 billion in tourism.
So those two leading industries are both dependent upon good
environmental stewardship.
So the promotion of tourism is more than just selling hotel rooms and
selling travel opportunities. It is also a way that we incorporate the
quality of life issues, the local zoning matters, the local business
practices, the way we promote our communities.
We need to be in a partnership with the local, State, and Federal
Government, because Government sets those laws and sets those patterns.
I believe we cannot have an attractive community, we cannot improve our
quality of life, we cannot develop the cultural aspects of our country
without such a partnership.
That is why I think we ought to have a partnership with the arts for
the NEA, why we ought to have a partnership with the National Endowment
for the Humanities. Indeed, if tourism is going to come back here and
ask for money, we ought to be as supportive of that as we have
historically been for the National Endowment of the Arts and National
Endowment for Humanities.
I would hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle when they
get in this cut, squeeze, and trim mode will realize that this is all
part and parcel of what is basic about America.
{time} 1330
It is about our people, it is about the things that our people have
built, and it is about the land we have preserved. And in combination,
we can indeed build an America in the future that is accessible and
attractive and will provide a living for people for many generations to
come. This bill is a good start in that direction. It is not the
answer, but it is a good start. I ask my colleagues to support it.
Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I would only correct the previous speaker, my good friend from
California, in one respect. He said he represented a district like
everybody
[[Page H11260]]
else's. The Monterrey Peninsula is a lot different from some of the
other districts, and a wonderful place that the gentleman should be
quite proud of and one that I am sure attracts tourists from all over
the world, a great place in the world to be from, and his remarks were
right on point.
Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. OXLEY. I yield to the gentleman from California.
Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I really believe that in every
community we have certainly wonderful natural beauty. I did not even
mention the 27 golf courses. But I think every community in America has
something historically beautiful about it, and certainly people went
there originally, they ventured their risk capital, saying, ``We're
going to settle here.'' I think we have to reach into that because if
we find that same spirit, every town in America can be a tourist
attraction.
Mr. OXLEY. I thank the gentleman for his contribution.
Mrs. VUCANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R.
2579, the Travel and Tourism Partnership Act. Travel and tourism is
vitally important to the U.S. economy. The travel and tourism industry
employs nearly 13 million Americans, and contributes approximately $400
billion to the U.S. economy. Also, travel and tourism will be the
single largest job-creator for Americans in the 21st century.
With all the promising statistics about the benefits of the travel
and tourism industry, the United States is faced with a potentially
devastating problem. The U.S. share of the fast-growing international
travel and tourism market is decreasing. In 1995, the United States had
2 million fewer international visitors than in 1993. This decline in
international visitors cost 177,000 Americans travel-related jobs.
Many questions have arisen concerning the sudden decline in
international visitors to the United States. What prompted this
decline? How should we address this decline to benefit the U.S. travel
and tourism industry? Mr. Speaker, the answers lie in H.R. 2579. This
legislation is a bold new approach to marketing the United States as a
travel destination. Rather than relying on the Federal Government, H.R.
2579 creates a partnership between the tourism industry and the public
sector to devise and carry out a more efficient and effective marketing
plan.
This is a job-creating bill. International travel to the United
States adds $70 billion a year to our economy. Recapturing our lost
market share and putting us back on a growth track will generate jobs
through every district in America.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to commend
Congressman Toby Roth, the chairman of the Travel and Tourism
Congressional Member Caucus. Toby has been in the forefront in this
effort, laboring tirelessly to advance this legislation and initiatives
that will benefit the travel and tourism industry in all States. My
State of Nevada, well known as a popular tourist destination, has
benefited greatly over the years from his efforts, and I know that his
leadership regarding the travel and tourism industry will be sorely
missed when he retires. It has been an honor and a privilege serving
with him as the Secretary of the Travel and Tourism Congressional
Caucus.
Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. Speaker, today we are debating a bill that affects
one of the three largest industries in Arkansas. The travel and tourism
industry has a tremendous impact on my home State's economy and on our
Nation's economy. It is America's largest services export, second
largest employer, and third largest retail sales industry. However, the
national focus on this industry has been minimal and changes are
necessary in order to utilize the benefits this industry brings to
America. That is why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 2579, the Travel and
Tourism Partnership Act of 1995. I believe that this public/private
partnership will provide the tourism industry with the proper
organizational structure to increase our competitiveness in the global
market.
Mr. Speaker, allow me to share some facts that help illustrate the
impact of tourism on Arkansas. Nearly 18,000 people visited Arkansas in
1994 which created over 46,000 travel related jobs. State travel
expenditures neared the $3 million mark in 1994 which is a $1 million
increase since 1986. The Natural State is a fitting nickname for a
State with 600,000 acres of lakes, 9,700 miles of streams, and nearly
10,000 campsites. Fishing, hunting, camping, biking, and hiking are
very popular in Arkansas' 47 State parks. Whether you are enjoying the
natural springs of Hot Springs National Park or digging for diamonds at
the only diamond mine in the United States, it is not hard to realize
the impact tourism has on Arkansas.
The First Congressional District has also felt the positive impact of
the tourism industry. The natural resources and outdoor activities of
the area have attracted an increasing number of travelers visiting the
first district. The district is home to such attractions as Greers
Ferry Lake, Blanchard Springs Caverns, the Buffalo National River, the
White River, and numerous hunting areas and wildlife refuges. The
recent government shutdowns reminded us all of the impact these
recreational facilities have on revenues generated in this State.
Because of the shutdown, our hunting lands and refuges were not
available to potential visitors, thus meaning lost revenues for the
first district.
Mr. Speaker, the United States is falling behind the rest of the
world in the travel and tourism industry. Changes must be made or we
will continue to encounter lost opportunities, but more importantly,
lost jobs and lost revenue. That is why I believe it is vital that we
pass this bill. The National Tourism Board and National Tourism
Organization would give us a structured organization to develop a clear
and concise vision for the future.
Mr. Speaker, the importance of the tourism industry is becoming more
evident. This bill, which reflects the findings of last October's White
House Conference on Travel and Tourism, provides for an appropriate
commitment to this Nation's tourism industry. This issue is extremely
important to me because of it's economic impact on the people of
Arkansas and the first district, and I urge my colleagues to support
this needed piece of legislation.
Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2579, the
Travel and Tourism Partnership Act, and commend the work of the
gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Roth] who in the final days of his
congressional career is bringing this bipartisan legislation to our
attention.
Travel and tourism are vital components to our growing service and
leisure oriented economy and I think it is appropriate that Congress,
like many other countries, recognize the benefits and implications of
travel and tourism from a national and international perspective. H.R.
2579 tries to reverse the decline in the number of tourists visiting
the United States by establishing a federally chartered private tourism
organization.
Travel and tourism efforts are not just for warmer, tropical climate
far south of here. I think we would be missing the boat--or plane,
train, and automobile--if we stopped right there. Many of our own
districts have places that people flock to for relaxation and enjoyment
of their precious free-time. In my own district, which encompasses
significant portions of Lake Erie, we have several areas that rely on
travel and tourism to bolster their economies. In particular, I would
point to both Put-In-Bay and Cedar Point, OH, whose popular
restaurants, amusement parks, and taverns serve as an oasis to the
rigors of the workweek. These places are the under-recognized stories
of this industry.
Mr. Speaker, this bill reminds the world, and ourselves, about the
numerous sojourns our country offers. H.R. 2579 offers opportunities,
tempered with the current budget realities and ongoing government
downsizing, that many would argue are necessary to move the United
States up from 33d in tourism promotion and increase the number of
travel-related jobs now held in our country. While this bill is not a
panacea, it is a good first step for an industry that employs nearly 14
million Americans, contributes $400 billion dollars to the economy, and
generates a $19 billion trade surplus.
I urge all my colleagues to support passage of this bill. It should
not be forgotten that many small businesses are the beneficiaries of a
vibrant travel economy. Travel and tourism are as much about creating
and maintaining jobs as they are about rest and relaxation.
Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. (Mr. Ewing). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Oxley] that the House suspend
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2579, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________