[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.

                          ____________________