[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 50 (Monday, April 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E656-E657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        COMMEMORATING JOHN DYSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN E. SWEENEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 29, 2002

  Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize Mr. John Dyson, former 
Commissioner of Commerce for New York State, advocate of New York State 
businesses, and creator of the ``I Love New York'' advertising 
campaign--a campaign that is familiar to all of us--whether a resident 
of the state or first-time visitor. The slogan is still popular today 
and the tourism industry from the many diverse areas throughout the 
state have benefited from its success.
  In 1975--the year John was hired as head of Commerce--New York State 
was in the midst of an economic recession. As state officials developed 
a campaign to market the state's vacation opportunities, John led a 
team that determined tourism could be a vehicle to reverse the state's 
economic position. The simple yet effective ``I love New York'' 
campaign aroused pride among New Yorkers and caught on quickly as it 
was easily applied to the city and the countryside and has grown world-
famous.
  In addition to creating a timeless campaign that is still relevant 
today and symbolic of everything the state has to offer--from the 
culture of the City to the lakes of Upstate--John proposed, fought for, 
and won legislation and tax cuts to keep business in the state. Without 
John and the incentives he spearheaded, we may not be able to go to a 
show at Radio City Music Hall or call New York City the home of the 
American Stock Exchange. Through John's determination, he engineered a 
deal to save Radio City Music Hall and spearheaded a state effort to 
keep The American Stock Exchange in New York City.
  The success of New York State's tourism industry can be accredited to 
the dedication of John Dyson. New York had the unique culture and 
resources to offer, but John led the way in promoting those assets that 
had not yet been utilized to their fullest potential with a slogan that 
appears everywhere--from T-shirts to bumper stickers and was 
complemented by a jingle that plays over radio waves and television 
commercials. The extremely trying time of the September 11 terrorist 
attacks put New York to the test, but New Yorkers showed their strength 
and used the symbolic ``I love New York'' campaign to show their 
support and solidarity adapting the slogan to ``I love New York Now 
More than Ever.''
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in recognizing the accomplishments of Mr. 
John Dyson and his devoted efforts on behalf of businesses and the 
tourism industry in New York State.

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