Supporting National Tourism Week.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 729, Supporting National Tourism Week. National Tourism Week, established by Congress in 1983, celebrates tourism to our country, the hospitality of the American people, and the hard work done by the many Americans who are involved directly and indirectly in the tourism and hospitality industry. This resolution highlights some of the major economic contributions that tourism from domestic and international visitors has upon the U.S. economy, at the Federal, State and local levels.

To quantify the U.S. tourism industry as one industry is challenging. In fact, the tourism industry in the U.S. is a conglomeration of many different industries, the leadership of many individuals at the national, State and local levels, and the myriad dreams and interests of all those who come to enjoy America's vacation spots, its natural wonders, and its historical areas of interest. The strength of the U.S. tourism industry is in its diversity and the diversity of the visitors it hosts.

Tourism is vitally important to Guam. The Guam Visitors Bureau, led by Chairman David B. Tydingco, Vice Chairman Bruce Kloppenburg, General Manager Gerald S.A. Perez, Deputy General Manager Mary C. Torres, and its board members and other officers, continues its excellent work toward increasing the numbers of visitors to Guam. The Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association, led by President David B. Tydingco, Chairman of the Board of Directors Bartly Jackson, and members of the board of directors, continue to ensure that the visitors to Guam receive a world-class level of hospitality, service, and entertainment during their stay on-island. The Guam Chamber of Commerce, under the able leadership of Chairman Michael T. Benito and President Eloise Baza, remains as the lead organization promoting the economic benefits of tourism to Guam and the general economic development of the island through the growth and diversification of Guam's private sector.

The vibrant, capable, and professional tourism industry in the United States provides individuals, families, and groups the ability to see, to experience, and to become a part of the many wonderful tourist attractions located across the United States. In doing so, the U.S. tourism industry facilitates greater understanding of, respect for, and identification with American history, culture and society by both Americans and guests from foreign countries. National Tourism Week is the celebration of the effort to foster better relations between communities within the U.S. and around the world while growing, diversifying, and strengthening the U.S. economy by promoting travel and tourism to the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 729) supporting National Tourism Week.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of H. Res. 729, offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley). I am also a cosponsor of this resolution, and cosponsor of it for a good reason. The $1.3 trillion industry in travel and tourism is one that both Florida and California enjoy, and people from all over the world also enjoy it. The United States receives nearly 50 million international visitors, spending over $100 billion a year while touring within our country.

In fact, the United States is the number one tourist destination in the world. The Travel Industry Association says if not for the taxes generated by the travel and tourism, every household in America would pay over $900 more in taxes each year to make up for the shortfall, much of that coming from foreign visitors.

In addition, travel and tourism generate $100 billion in tax revenue for local, State and Federal governments. For this reason, it is important that we encourage and recognize the travel industry for its dedication to not only the accommodation of our vacation needs, but also in providing much-needed jobs and revenue for our country each year. I urge all Members to come together to support the vitally important travel and tourism industry by adopting H. Res. 729.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Illinois is quite right. On Monday I left several tourist dollars on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building at that lovely, beautiful restaurant. Chicago is in fact a major tourist destination, and I have been to more trade shows than I care to, well, I care to remember them all. They were all quite good. Chicago hosts some wonderful McCormick-based facilities, and has some of the finest hotels. I have not stayed in all of the finest hotels, but you have some of the finest hotels.

Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this resolution to thank the travel and tourism industry for what they contribute to our economy.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 729, resolution sponsored by my friend and colleague Mark Foley, the Co- Chair of the Travel and Tourism Caucus along with members of the Caucus including myself, in support of National Tourism Week.

It is worth repeating, Mr. Speaker, as the resolution points out, Travel and Tourism as the 3rd largest retail sales industry in the Nation, has a major impact on the economy of the United States. One out of every 7 people employed in the United States civilian labor force is directly or indirectly employed in the travel and tourism industry. International travel to the United States is the largest service export, generating a trade surplus for 16 consecutive years, increasing 144 percent between 2003 and 2004 to over $4 billion. And, in 2005 alone, travel and tourism-related expenditures reached $1 trillion, including $596 billion in direct sales and $445 billion in indirect sales, and supported 8 million jobs.

As someone who represents an area where tourism is our number one industry, I am proud to report that despite increases in the price of oil, the tourism industry in the Virgin Islands have been doing exceptionally well over the last couple of years.

According to the Virgin Islands Bureau of Economic Research, the industry was one of the strongest performers and main contributor to the economic performance during 2004 with increases in both air and cruise ship passengers. Total visitors in the Territory in fiscal year 2004 reached a record 2.6 million, up 12 percent over 2003.

The BER projects, barring any significant shocks, that visitor arrival will peak at 2.7 million by the end of fiscal year 2005 and 2.8 million in fiscal year 2006.

Mr. Speaker, the Travel and Tourism industry generates trillions of dollars in economic activity in the U.S. and as such it deserves all of our support. I urge my colleagues to support passage of H. Res. 729.

Mr. Speaker, at the start of the summer season we recognize the contributions of the travel and tourism industry by celebrating National Tourism Week.

Over the last 22 years, our Nation has celebrated National Tourism Week, and rightfully so. This industry ranks first, second or third in nearly 60 percent of the country.

Not only is tourism a dominant industry in the U.S. economy, but it is an industry that is present in every Congressional district. From sea to shining sea, to purple mountains majesty, every corner of the U.S. contributes to the travel and tourism industry--Hawaii, Alaska, Maine, Florida, California, and everything in between.

The travel and tourism industry boasts heavy-hitting statistics on expenditures, revenues, and jobs (the 3rd largest retail sales industry in the Nation; has generated a trade surplus for 16 consecutive years; supports 8 million jobs; in 2005, expenditures reached $1 trillion.). But that's not all. The travel and tourism industry produces something that cannot be quantified. There is no better way to understand and appreciate a culture than to travel to that land and experience it. When people come to the U.S., they experience our culture and hospitality first hand, and almost without exception, their view of America changes for the better. In today's world, this element is priceless.

As co-chairs of the Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus since 1997, Congressman Foley and I have worked hard to educate our colleagues about the significance of this industry and all that it offers to our country. The caucus is over 100 members strong and continues to grow as more of my colleagues truly comprehend the magnitude of tourism.

Travel is an integral part of the human experience, and I am pleased that we are honoring the travel and tourism industry by putting forth this resolution celebrating National Tourism Week.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, people across the Nation and around the world have enjoyed traveling across America to visit our magnificent cities, parks, museums, and our many other national historic and cultural sites. America provides countless opportunities to learn about and to enjoy our Nation's immense variety of attractions.

The travel and tourism industry represents a vital part of the American economy. It is a $1.3 trillion industry in the United States, and $100 billion is generated each year in tax revenues for local, State and Federal governments. And with the total of 7.3 million American jobs related to travel, the travel and tourism industry is one of the country's biggest employers.

National Tourism Week was established by Congress in 1983 and first celebrated in May of 1984 when President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation that urged citizens to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Held each year from May 13 to May 21, National Tourism Week provides the perfect platform upon which to challenge State tourism boards, city governments and other relevant entities to take a proactive role and to engage in practices that protect and maximize their tourism assets.

As a matter of fact, when I think of tourism, I think of my own congressional district which includes downtown Chicago with many of the skyscrapers, the Sears Tower, the Water Tower Place. King Tut is now on exhibit in our city, and thousands of people are coming each and every day. And so travel and tourism contribute to the cultural and social well-being of the Nation. I support this resolution and urge its passage.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.