[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 16 (Wednesday, February 3, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           VACATION IN VEGAS

  (Ms. BERKLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, things are very tough in Las Vegas right 
now. We have the second highest unemployment rate and the very highest 
mortgage foreclosure rate in the country. People are hurting. We rely 
on tourism to fuel our economy. It's our major industry.
  So when the President singled out Las Vegas again by saying, ``When 
times are tough, you tighten your belts. You don't blow a bunch of cash 
in Vegas,'' he is hurting the people I represent badly. What he should 
have said is that Las Vegas is the most amazing place to vacation. It's 
a bargain right now, and everyone should go and enjoy our wholesome 
family entertainment, our great hotels, our fabulous shows, great 
restaurants, shopping, convention space, gaming, our great weather. 
We're near the Grand Canyon and Red Rock Canyon and Hoover Dam. Las 
Vegas has it all. That's what the President should have said. Mr. 
President, words matter, and you need to watch what you say. Your words 
are hurting the businesses and the families that call Las Vegas home, 
and they're hurting me.

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