[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S2100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           LAS VEGAS TOURISM

  Mr. REID. Madam President, during the Presidential campaign, 
candidate Barack Obama came to Nevada 20 times. Most of those visits 
were to Las Vegas. It is a place he and I have spoken about lots of 
times. His staff who came with him loved Las Vegas. I want everyone to 
understand that when President Obama, at his press conference Monday 
night, said there was a need for an economic recovery plan, he was very 
serious about that, and he meant it.
  During the question-and-answer period, the President made remarks 
concerning trips to Las Vegas by financial services companies and their 
employees. I have spoken at length with President Obama's Chief of 
Staff Rahm Emanuel. I will speak to the President when I have that 
opportunity. Mr. Emanuel made it clear to me--and I know this is the 
case--that President Obama's criticism was aimed at the potential use 
of taxpayer funds for junkets.
  Now, we gave a lot of money to these banks, and they shouldn't be 
taking junkets with any of that money, whether they go to Las Vegas, 
Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, New York City, or anyplace else. That was 
the point President Obama was making.
  We all know Las Vegas is a premier destination source of the world, 
and people look upon it as a good place to go for a little timeout. I 
repeat, during the campaign President Obama was in Nevada 20 times. In 
fact, he just accepted my invitation to visit again this spring, early 
summer for the first time as our President.
  Nevada has lots of hotel rooms, but Las Vegas has more than 140,000--
far more than any other place in the world. We have millions of feet of 
visiting space. The largest convention center in the world is in Las 
Vegas.
  As all Americans spend less as a result of our economic crisis, it is 
important to note that Las Vegas, with an average daily hotel rate of 
only $119, is one of America's most affordable cities to visit. It is 
one reason nearly 6 million people came to Las Vegas to attend more 
than 20,000 meetings and conventions last year.
  President Obama and I agree that every penny of taxpayer funds should 
be protected. We also agree Las Vegas is one of America's greatest 
destinations for tourists, families, and businesses.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa is recognized.

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