[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING BOB WHITLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Bob 
Whitley.
  As President of the United States Tour Operators Association, Bob 
Whitley dedicated his life to promoting travel, tourism and building 
lasting friendships. I am proud and honored to have worked with such a 
caring and dedicated professional on issues so important for our 
nation.
  In my efforts to advance current legislation providing United States 
citizens the freedom to travel to Cuba, I seized an opportunity to 
visit New York City and create national media discussion of the issue. 
Accompanying me on that trip in September 2009 was Bob Whitley, truly 
one of the most knowledgeable and respected travel industry leaders.
  As our trip progressed, I came to know Bob for the man he was and the 
legacy he would leave behind. His passion for United States generated 
tourism and his love for people around the world drew us together. This 
past March, Bob helped organize and lead the U.S. Cuba Travel Summit in 
Cancun, Mexico--an event that drew strong participation from both 
nations in an effort to open communications and discuss easing travel 
restrictions.
  Bob passed away in May, and his funeral included an unrivaled 
gathering of travel industry colleagues and friends. Today, I add my 
name as one of his greatest admirers.
  Bob held many distinguished positions throughout his career, 
including Director of both the Florida and Pennsylvania Departments of 
Tourism, Director of the Virginia Beach Convention and Tourist Bureau, 
and an incredible thirty-two years at the United States Tour Operators 
Association. Because of his outstanding record, Bob has been recognized 
internationally many times. This year, he will receive the 2010 
National Tour Association Pioneer Award, an honor given to career 
leaders in tourism. I am proud to be a past recipient of this same 
award and it is my honor to share it with Bob.
  In addition to his career accomplishments, Bob was an avid golfer and 
enjoyed traveling to new destinations around the globe, eventually 
visiting over 100 countries. He leaves his wife, two sons, a daughter, 
their spouses, and his grandchildren to carry on.
  The travel industry has lost a giant, with Bob's passing. We will 
miss him.

                          ____________________