[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 21061]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          TRAVEL PROMOTION ACT

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I am very grateful we have moved forward on 
a very important bill for the country--the Travel Promotion Act. I 
commend and applaud Senator Dorgan for his good work on the 
legislation. It is extremely important. He was a real advocate, as he 
is on issues which he sinks his teeth into.
  Travel and tourism generate $1 trillion in the economy every year. 
Whether it is the State of Minnesota, Nevada--you can pick any of the 
States--tourism is the No. 1, 2, or 3 most important driving economic 
factor in the States. This year, tourism will create 40,000 new jobs. 
The bill will also cut the deficit by $425 million over the next 10 
years. That is significant. We would be taking the strategies that have 
made Las Vegas such a success and bringing them to our entire Nation's 
tourism industry.
  Nevada's tourism has been hit hard by the slowing worldwide economy, 
and when tourism in Nevada hurts, the entire State suffers. Hard-
working people have lost their jobs. The State's budget has taken a 
major hit. Because that budget is largely funded by tourism, funding 
for vital programs in our State is at risk.
  Nevada is not alone. Tourism is one of the top industries in every 
State. That is why this bill is so important. It is an opportunity to 
not only give American tourism a boost, but it is one of the many ways 
we are working to create jobs and help our economy rebuild.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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