[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 18300]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                    REVITALIZING THE TOURISM ECONOMY

  (Mr. GIBBONS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GIBBONS. Madam Speaker, since the evil terrorist act of September 
11, thousands of Nevadans have been laid off; and they now face an 
uncertain future, just as other Americans employed in the tourism 
industry do. Like many tourist destinations, visitors to Las Vegas, 
Reno, Lake Tahoe, and other Nevada destinations depend heavily upon 
convenient and safe airline travel.
  The administration has gone to great lengths to ensure that airline 
travel today is safer than ever before, and this Congress has provided 
over $15 billion in emergency funds to the airline industry. Yet, our 
tourism economy continues to suffer. I believe that this downturn is 
temporary; and for the first time since the terrorist attacks, now many 
hotels are beginning to report more reservations than they are 
cancellations.
  Madam Speaker, supporting our tourism industry is a crucial component 
of our national well-being, just as is our war against terrorism. We 
cannot allow terrorists to scare the American public into staying home.
  Madam Speaker, I applaud the elected officials who, like myself, have 
been traveling our Nation's airways. I hope that the American public 
will follow our example and return to the skies and to the fun and 
entertaining vacation sites in Nevada and across the United States.

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