William Bryan: “I thank the Chair and my friend from North Dakota for his courtesy. As I indicated, Mr. President, it will be my…”

“I thank the Chair and my friend from North Dakota for his courtesy. As I indicated, Mr. President, it will be my intention to offer, with the distinguished Senator from Montana, Senator Burns, an amendment later on today to provide transitional funding for the U.S. Travel and Tourism Administration. This funding would permit an orderly transition into a new public/ private-sector entity. This amendment enjoys the support of a number of Senators on both sides of the aisle, including, among many others, Senators McConnell, Hollings, Murkowski, Inouye, Thurmond, and Daschle. I might also note, Mr. President, that the National Governors' Association at their recent annual meeting endorsed the concept embodied in this proposed amendment. Mr. President, none of us is unmindful of the fact that the current budget pressures demand some extraordinary responses. So the purpose of this amendment is simply to provide some transitional funding until this public-private partnership can be organized. To cut off funding cold turkey, as is contemplated in the present form of this bill, would be the equivalent of unilateral disarmament.”