[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 36 (Thursday, February 25, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HELPING LAS VEGAS THROUGH THE PANDEMIC

  (Mrs. LEE of Nevada asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my 
hometown, Las Vegas.
  What comes to mind when I say Las Vegas? Bright lights, slot 
machines, big shows, massive conventions, showgirls with the big iconic 
feather headpieces. It is a magical place.
  But the glitz and glamour doesn't happen on its own. Even though it 
feels that way, it is not magic.
  It is the result of the work of thousands of Nevadans working in the 
entertainment, tourism, and hospitality industry. I am talking about 
the Vegas performers, ticket takers, stage managers, convention 
workers, and bartenders. To them, Vegas isn't a weekend getaway or a 
drunken cliche, it is their livelihood, which sadly has been gutted by 
the COVID pandemic.
  Many of them don't have jobs to go back to because the industry can't 
thrive when people aren't traveling. They are stuck until the pandemic 
is over. And because of that we need to help get them through this 
moment.
  The American Rescue Plan includes hundreds of billions of dollars for 
small businesses, laid off workers, and direct aid to families and 
communities like those in Las Vegas, including the $23 billion to 
support the travel and tourism industry, and the $1.25 billion in 
targeted relief for live venues.
  We need to support the venues and the workers that make our magical 
town the number one destination in the country, and we can do that by 
passing the American Rescue Plan.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to observe the decorum 
of the House.

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