[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 79 (Monday, June 2, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H4751-H4754]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SUPPORTING 20TH ANNUAL NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK

  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 172) supporting the 20th Annual 
National Tourism Week.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 172

       Whereas travel and tourism has a major impact on the 
     economy of the United States as the 3rd largest retail sales 
     industry in the Nation;
       Whereas 1 out of every 7 people employed in the United 
     States civilian labor force is directly or indirectly 
     employed in the travel and tourism industry;
       Whereas international travel to the United States is the 
     largest service export, having generated a trade surplus for 
     14 consecutive years;
       Whereas domestic and international travel generated an 
     estimated $537.2 billion in expenditures in 2002, supporting 
     more than 7.9 million jobs, and creating more than $98.7 
     billion in tax revenue for Federal, State, and local 
     governments;
       Whereas the slowing of the United States economy and 
     international conflicts have had a tremendous negative effect 
     on the tourism industry;
       Whereas the Department of Commerce has released the 2002 
     international year-end arrivals data, revealing that the 
     level of international travel to the United States declined 
     an additional 7 percent between 2001 and 2002;
       Whereas tourism contributes substantially to personal 
     growth, education, appreciation of intercultural differences, 
     and the enhancement of international understanding and good 
     will;
       Whereas the abundant natural and man-made attractions of 
     the United States and the hospitality of the American people 
     establish the United States as the preeminent destination for 
     both foreign and domestic travelers;
       Whereas National Tourism Week was established by Congress 
     in 1983, and first celebrated in May 1984, when President 
     Ronald

[[Page H4752]]

     Reagan signed a proclamation urging citizens to observe the 
     week with appropriate ceremonies and activities;
       Whereas, since 1984, National Tourism Week has been 
     celebrated each May by the travel and tourism community, 
     travel industry associations, as well as many States, cities, 
     and localities throughout the Nation; and
       Whereas May 10 through 18, 2003, is the 20th Annual 
     National Tourism Week: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) supports National Tourism Week; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States and interested 
     groups to observe National Tourism Week with appropriate 
     ceremonies and activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Indiana (Mr. Souder) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder).


                             General Leave

  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H. Con. Res. 172.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Indiana?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 172, introduced by my 
distinguished colleague, the gentleman from the State of Florida (Mr. 
Foley), supports the 20th annual National Tourism Week.
  Mr. Speaker, the travel and tourism industry has promoted National 
Tourism Week every year since 1984, and rightfully so. The tourism 
industry provides nearly 8 million jobs and almost $100 million every 
year in tax revenue to this country.
  Just like the Peace Officers Memorial Day, National Tourism Week was 
first proclaimed by a great President. President Ronald Reagan signed 
into law a resolution that urged citizens to commemorate National 
Tourism Week each May and encouraged appropriate ceremony and 
activities. Twenty years later it is timely to consider the anniversary 
of this resolution, because the recent lull in the world economy has 
devastated the travel business in this country. Overall, hopefully the 
next 20 years can be as successful for this giant industry as the last 
20 have within.
  I thank my colleague from Florida, where they host a great portion of 
our country's tourism, and many of our tourist dollars, including mine, 
for introducing this important measure.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of the House Concurrent 
Resolution 172.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, National Tourism Week was established in 1983 when the 
U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution designating the week to be 
celebrated in May of 1984. In a White House ceremony, President Ronald 
Reagan signed a Presidential proclamation urging citizens to observe 
the week with the appropriate ceremonies and activities. Industry 
leaders and public relations professionals were the first volunteers to 
manage the annual event.
  By 1986, industry leaders had formed a permanent coalition which 
later became the Tourism Works for America Council. They opened a full-
time office and expanded the concept into a year-round tourism 
awareness program. By then, hundreds of communities across the Nation 
were participating in the celebration and more participate each year.
  The message during National Tourism Week is, come to see America and 
celebrate its vistas, its heroes, its culture and its heritage. 
National Tourism Week also serves to promote a wider understanding of 
the importance of travel and tourism as a major U.S. industry that is 
vital to the economic stability and growth of our Nation.
  The interesting thing about tourism, Mr. Speaker, is that no matter 
where you go, there is always some additional interest, there is always 
a place. I have been amazed that no matter where I have gone throughout 
this country or throughout the world, there was something to see, 
something to learn, something to know, something to better understand. 
So the promotion of tourism is not only an economic, but also an 
educational enterprise.
  I commend the gentleman for introducing this resolution and urge its 
swift passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley), elected in the same 
class in 1994, a tireless supporter for tourism and the arts here in 
the Congress since he arrived and the sponsor of this resolution.
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman very much for yielding 
me time.
  Mr. Speaker, the tourism and hospitality industry is important to the 
State of Florida. I rise today in support of House Concurrent 
Resolution 172, a bill I introduced along with my colleague the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Farr), recognizing the 20th annual 
National Tourism Week.
  I see the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr) has joined us on the 
floor today.

                              {time}  1500

  The gentleman from California (Mr. Farr) and I from Florida both have 
worked with our colleagues to try to educate them about the importance 
of travel and tourism. It is the lifeblood of many States, like Florida 
and California, New York, and Nevada, to just name a few.
  There are currently 7.4 million people in the food service, 
hospitality, and travel-related industries that rely on America's 
vibrant and thriving travel industry, which generates $170 billion in 
travel-related payroll.
  National Tourism Week was first established in 1983, when the U.S. 
Congress passed a joint resolution designating the week to be 
celebrated in May, 1984. This annual event gives us an opportunity to 
recognize the significant importance that the travel and tourism 
industry has on our economy.
  As America's third largest retail sales industry, $96 billion was 
generated in tax revenues for our local, State, and Federal governments 
in 2002 alone. In addition, there were $7.5 billion in balance of trade 
surplus for the United States, making the industry one of our largest 
service exports.
  It is clear, every congressional district is impacted, that is, every 
district with a restaurant, and all have them; a hotel, and all have 
them; a museum, and I am certain most have them; national parks; 
stadiums; theaters; campgrounds; and beaches. All obviously help local 
economies and local communities thrive.
  As some of us begin our summer travel, let us remember the tremendous 
impact that the travel and tourism industry makes on all of our lives. 
I want to spend a moment, too, to commend this administration, 
President Bush; and the Secretary of Commerce, Secretary Evans; Brenda 
Becker, Assistant Secretary of Commerce; Senator Ted Stevens; as well 
as my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr), in our 
recent quest to put $50 million in the budget in order to help 
stimulate, if you will, international tourism back to the United 
States.
  As I am sure the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr) will tell us, 
our States have been hurt badly by September 11 and terrorism in 
general. People are nervous and they are fearful. We are doing 
everything we can to ensure airline safety and that when they arrive at 
a destination that they will be safe.
  But we have lost, in Orlando alone, some 35 percent of the business 
that was occurring in that region of the State; so this is a very 
important issue. It is an important topic. It is one we are wrestling 
with.
  Also, the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr) talks about his idea 
that he brought to us that hopefully will catch on where each Member of 
Congress writes in a book, if you will, a destination that they favor; 
they may not want to be that specific, but some of the joys and 
bounties and benefits of living in that community.
  I know I have some of the greatest beaches. I have the Everglades. We 
have agricultural tourism, ecotourism. Certainly, we have things 
throughout the State, like Busch Gardens and Universal Theme Park and 
Disney. We

[[Page H4753]]

have the Latin music industry, where the capital of the world is Miami. 
We have South Beach.
  I could go on and on, but now I am going to get in trouble because I 
am probably missing some of the important destinations: Destin; and all 
of the beaches in Jacksonville.
  But suffice it to say that tourism is an important, important 
industry. Whether one is the CEO of a company or doing dishes in a 
restaurant, as I did when I was 13 years old, we are all playing a 
critical role in people's impressions of our State, whether they had a 
good visit, whether they enjoyed themselves, whether they will return 
again.
  So I salute everyone, from the bellboy to the bell hop to the rental 
car agencies, who make the traveling experience fun, productive, and 
enjoyable for America's families and those visitors from outside the 
Continental United States.
  With that, I thank the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder) for his 
indulgence and certainly thank the committee for reporting this to the 
floor. I urge all Members to support this 20th Annual National Tourism 
Week represented by House Concurrent Resolution 172.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such 
time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr), a 
sponsor of this legislation.
  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Davis) for yielding time to me, and I thank the gentleman from Florida 
(Mr. Foley) for his kind remarks about our being co-chairs of the 
Congressional Tourism Caucus.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the 20th anniversary of 
National Tourism Week. As cochair of the House Congressional Travel and 
Tourism Caucus, I am pleased to join my colleague, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Foley), in proclaiming the 20th anniversary of National 
Tourism Week.
  Tourism is the leading industry in America. In fact, it is the 
largest employer in America. I think oftentimes people do not think of 
it because it has never been defined as an industry, like the 
automobile industry, like the steel industry, like the electronics 
industry. This industry is made up of so many factors. It is made up of 
restaurants and museums and car rental companies and hotels and motels 
and sports arenas, ski shops, beaches, concert halls, parks, historic 
landmarks, campgrounds, and the list goes on and on.
  If we put all of those together, we will have what we call the 
tourism industry. It is one of the most diverse sectors in the entire 
economy, with the single goal of making the United States the greatest 
place to travel, not only just to see, but to enjoy the incredible 
diversity and cultures of great America.
  I do not think people just come to America from other countries to 
visit our beautiful spots, which obviously lure them, as we are lured 
to other beautiful places in the world. But they also come to know the 
culture of Americans and learn about how this country functions.
  I happen to live in one of those towns, Carmel, California. I just 
got back from a trip to Europe; and everywhere I went, when I said 
where I lived in California, people knew where it was, though it is a 
small town of 4,000 people. I do not think it is just because Clint 
Eastwood was the mayor of my town. People have actually been going 
there for years and years. The city is celebrating its 100th 
anniversary this year.
  But the point is that the mayor of Carmel told me that the number one 
request of the tourists of that town, of the city, was a copy of their 
zoning ordinance. So people are not just tourists for purposes of 
spending money and enjoying beautiful places; they are also thinking 
and they are looking and they are listening. In that way we are able to 
share this bounty of America and the bounty of the people.
  The travel and tourism industry has faced unprecedented challenges in 
the last couple of years, first with the decline of confidence in the 
safety of air travel as a result of September 11, and then the 
struggling economy, which has diminished business travel budgets and 
decreased household discretionary income. If that were not enough, then 
we are more recently faced with the uncertainties of the war in Iraq, 
and SARS has taken its toll on this industry.
  Congress has done something about it, though. It is not just enacting 
this resolution celebrating our National Tourism Week. We also last 
week had given a tax cut to the very wealthy in this country, and 
essentially the purpose of that tax cut was to leave money in people's 
hands so they would spend it.
  I cannot think of a better way to spend it than for people to take 
their new money that they are going to get from the Federal Government 
in the middle of the summer and take their family on a vacation, or 
take friends, staff, and employees out to lunch or to dinner to thank 
them for working with them, and tell our friends how much we enjoy 
being their friend by celebrating in a place outside our homes, in a 
way that we can spend it with others.
  Remember, these are also areas that are labor-intensive, where people 
are employed. It takes a lot of people to change beds, serve food, wash 
dishes, drive us around in buses, and so on. When we see these people, 
we should thank them for being in the travel and tourism industry. With 
that little bit of extra tax money, we should give them a bigger tip 
than we would have the year before. They need it, especially those 
families who lost the child care tax credits. Those poor kids are not 
going to be able to go to Disneyland, yet many people will be annually 
able to go to the very wealthy areas, Nantucket and so on.
  I am hoping that the tax bill will end up being a good bill and end 
up putting more money in the economy, getting the tourism industry back 
on its feet, and certainly continue to be the largest employing 
industry in the United States, and an industry that will take care of 
everybody, so the rising tide will raise all ships. That is what I 
think the tax cut is supposed to do.
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. FARR. I yield to the gentleman from Florida.
  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, Lisa Barkovic from my staff is with me. She, 
as well as your staff, I know have done a tremendous job in organizing 
several of our events.
  I was remiss for not recognizing our individual staff. She is on the 
floor with me today. I know we have worked very closely with the 
gentleman's office; and the professional staff, those who work in our 
offices, do a tremendous job in helping us get ready for floor 
activity. I wanted to share that with the gentleman and with her, as 
well.
  Mr. FARR. I thank the gentleman very much. At the same time I 
recognize my staff, Tom Tucker, who came to me from being a concierge 
in a hotel, a great person to have as a staff member in the travel and 
tourism industry.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I just associate myself with the remarks of the 
gentleman from California and say that I am sure that having a fistful 
of dollars would not hurt his town; and if we had more fistfuls, there 
would be more tourism. I think this is a great piece of legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, the dynamic economy of the United States that hopefully 
will be fueled additionally by this tax cut has provided a level of 
success in the United States that our forefathers really did not know. 
John Adams once said that he worked hard so his kids could enjoy their 
leisure time and could learn more about arts and history and see their 
Nation. In fact, that is what we can do today.
  We have heard from the sponsors of this resolution about the beauties 
of Monterey and Carmel, California, pronounced ``Carm-el'' in Indiana, 
and the beauty of Florida and Palm Beach and the beaches of Florida. 
But tourism is important to each of our districts.
  I grew up in the small town of Grabill, Indiana. We had a retail 
furniture industry, a furniture store there. When we realized we had 
more people coming in from Texas, in fact from Houston, Texas, than we 
had from the neighboring town of Leo, we decided that the Amish in the 
area were

[[Page H4754]]

drawing more tourists than regular shoppers, so we now have antique 
centers there and shops for people who visit relatives who come through 
the State of Indiana.
  We have many beautiful things in my home State, as well. Tourism is a 
critical component for all of us in the United States. I represent the 
leading area for the majority of the RV manufacturers in America.
  Nothing could be more important than putting more dollars in the 
hands of those who pay taxes. The people who pay the taxes get the tax 
dollars back. No longer is the Federal Government taking as much of 
their check. Now they have money to spend. They can get an RV, they can 
travel.
  If we can also reopen the gasoline and energy markets of the United 
States and the world so that the travel dollars and costs go down, 
combined with the economic growth, combined with the tax cut, combined 
with people keeping more of their own money, hopefully we can get the 
RV industry back up, we can get the tourism industry back up, we can 
get the airlines back up, and we can help the hotel and restaurant 
industries of the United States.
  This resolution, the 20th anniversary of National Tourism Week, is an 
important hallmark as we move towards an economic revitalization, and 
during these summer months towards America once again exploring the 
highways and areas of the most wonderful country in the world, the 
United States of America.
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of National Tourism 
Week. As a Representative from the State of Nevada, I understand first 
hand the importance of travel and tourism to the United States and our 
economy.
  My hometown of Las Vegas is considered one of the most traveled to 
destinations in the world, earning its designation as the Entertainment 
Capital of the world long ago. Las Vegas has something to offer people 
of all ages. Everything from world class resort-casinos, to first class 
restaurants and shopping, and entertainment which includes concerts, 
production shows, and magic acts.
  In 2002, more than 35 million people visited Las Vegas. Of that 
number, 5 million were convention and trade show delegates who left 
behind $5.9 billion in non-gaming revenue alone, helping to maintain 
the destination's year-round average occupancy rate at 84 percent. 
Tourism is the largest employer in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, 
with more than 25 percent of the population directly employed by the 
hospitality, gaming and recreation industries.
  National Tourism Week is Las Vegas's annual opportunity to spotlight 
the role that tourism plays in the Nevada economy and to educate 
residents about the organizations that market Las Vegas to the nation 
and the world.
  Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support adoption of 
this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Culberson). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Souder) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. 
Res. 172.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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