I think that was the message that was trying to be sent there, that there is a lot of beautiful places to visit.

The international travel issue, we are talking about this Travel Promotion Act, and I know in our State of Minnesota, we actually have international travelers come in to see the Mall of America, and then they go to some of our other places.

I hope that this is the year to do it.

One out of eight jobs in America is related to tourism and travel.

this Promotion Act is one of the pieces, it will have a multi-year effect if we don't do something now.

the biggest chunk of the tourism business is the small business community--the mom and pop operators.

We really see this industry as major backbone to our economy, and we have to look at both the challenges and the opportunities ahead today.

We are clearly losing part of this international market share, some because of the economy, but some because other countries have been promoting their countries for tourism.

I am a cosponsor of the Travel Promotion Act, a measure re-introduced this week by Senator Dorgan.

The Teamsters strongly support the language in H.R. 915, authored by Chairman Jim Oberstar.

We are concerned that this is speculative to look at this and would be very difficult to do on an evidence based method.

I appreciate the leadership you have shown at the EPA and the integrity you are working to restore to the office.

I am concerned with a few pieces here.

You also have the $225 million Byrne Competitive Grant program.

I understand the EPA is looking at both direct greenhouse gas emissions and indirect emissions from land use changes.

I always thought it was ironic that we had something like 37 States that had started their own greenhouse gas registry together because the Federal Government had failed to act.

Sen. Dorgan and I yesterday introduced the Travel Promotion Act of 2009.

I can tell you I was sitting here thinking about the change the COPS program made in the county where I was a chief prosecutor, Hennepin County.