[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 23660-23661]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




INTRODUCTION OF THE PROTECTING RESORT CITIES FROM DISCRIMINATION ACT OF 
                                  2009

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 6, 2009

  Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, earlier today I, along with 
Representative Dean Heller of Nevada introduced the Protecting Resort 
Cities from Discrimination Act of 2009.
  If enacted, the bill would prohibit federal agencies from 
discriminating against cities like Scottsdale, Arizona, and Reno and 
Las Vegas, Nevada, simply because they are great places to visit.
  Scottsdale, and resort destination cities like it, are reeling right 
now--not just from an economic downturn, but from stigma. Business 
travelers are reluctant to avail themselves of the great facilities and 
great value we have to offer, out of fear that they will be accused of 
inappropriately vacationing on the company dime.

[[Page 23661]]

  In Arizona, some are calling it the ``AIG effect.''
  As a result, an already difficult situation has become dire.
  Earlier this year, the Arizona Republic reported that, in Scottsdale 
alone, an estimated 80 events and business meetings had been canceled 
and local resorts had lost a combined $23.9 million from groups fearing 
a public-relations backlash.
  Scottsdale's hotel occupancy is down nearly 12 percent, and revenue 
per available room is down nearly 30 percent.
  The ripple effect this has had on our economy is even worse. 
Restaurants, suppliers--you name it--they're all suffering.
  And it doesn't help when the federal government tells the business 
community that they're afraid of giving us their business, too.
  Cities like Scottsdale, Reno and Las Vegas should have every bit as 
much right to win federal meeting and conference business as anywhere 
else. If we can provide the right facilities at the right price, we 
shouldn't be punished because we also happen to be great places to 
visit.
  If enacted, the Protecting Resort Cities from Discrimination Act 
would stop that from happening. The bipartisan bill would prohibit 
federal agencies from discriminating against cities that are perceived 
to be resort or vacation destinations when planning events, meetings or 
conferences.
  I want to assure my colleagues that nothing in this bill will 
encourage federal agencies to undertake any additional or unnecessary 
travel. I firmly believe that federal agencies have an obligation to 
ensure that tax dollars are not wasted or misused.
  All this bill would do is ensure that, when appropriate, cities like 
Scottsdale have a right to compete.
  I want to thank Rep. Heller for his partnership on this legislation 
and I urge my colleagues to support it.

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