Tom Rice: “I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I certainly appreciate and respect the chairman's hard work in gathering up this…”

“I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I certainly appreciate and respect the chairman's hard work in gathering up this bill. While I respectfully disagree with him that the bill adequately addresses tourism, I think a national committee reporting directly to the Secretary of Transportation, similar to other aspects of the travel industry, like freight, trucking, and other things, would certainly benefit the tourism industry and give a more balanced perspective. I rise in support of this amendment. It is important for the Department of Transportation not to lose focus on the movement of people in their strategic planning of our Federal network. Congestion is at an all-time high, and new construction is at an all-time low. To best address these issues, the Department of Transportation should consult with experts in moving people efficiently: the travel and tourism industry. Creating a national advisory committee on travel and tourism will ensure that most knowledgeable private sector stakeholders have a role in the planning of our most important corridors. Travel and tourism supports 15 million jobs in the United States and is important to every region of the country. Establishing a forum to collaborate, strategize, and develop infrastructure that allows the industry to exist is necessary to ensuring America's competitiveness in the tourism global market. Determining a long-term plan for anything is rare here in Washington.…”