Words do matter, especially when they come from our leaders in Washington.

So an argument could be made that if we had this kind of national promotion, it would actually be of great benefit to some of the what you call second-tier tourism?

This isn't a free ride for the industry. We will be contributing our fair share to make it work.

I would particularly like to thank Senator Klobuchar for your leadership in calling this hearing and your passionate support of the travel industry both in our home state of Minnesota and in the national arena.

Those are the biggest dollars. And those are not the jobs we want to eliminate as a country.

As you and your colleagues consider policies and legislation, such as the Travel Promotion Act, we encourage you to remember that travel is good for America.

Your interest is strong validation that travel and tourism is vital to our country and its prosperity.

So without these trade shows, it would be very hard for smaller businesses to make their sales.

We need to get business travel going again.

I think it is very important for people to know that smaller resorts and areas that aren't in the top four tourist destinations have also seen a decrease.

I think that is a good way to end.

I hope my colleagues will join me in promoting tourism and business travel, particularly as a means to stimulate our sluggish economy.

Thank you, Ms. Saunders.

it really is an industry that not only is important for our economy, but promotes, as Senator Dorgan said, promotes our country around the world.

it is a longer view that you have to take.

we could learn a lot from Walt Disney.

We need to tell the world about the improvements we have made to the entry process.

The Travel Promotion Act will provide a funding vehicle that is not at the expense of the taxpayers.