Speaker. in this connection. I want to call to the attention of my colleagues an article which appeared in the July 24 edition of the Washington Post. indicating that the Commerce Department has launched a new drive to increase foreign tourism because the travel deficit reached an all time high of $2.5 billion in 1970. and new Commerce figures show the 1971 deficit will be at least 10 percent higher. There is general agreement that the most effective way to close this increasing gap is to stimulate and encourage foreign travel to the United States. thereby improving our balance of payments. and my bill . would accomplish this by facilitating the entry of foreign tourists through relaxation of some of the unnecessary. cumbersome. and antiquated requirements which now must be met before visitors visas can be issued to foreign visitors traveling to the United States. I urge once again that the Congress go to the root of the problem and encourage foreign tourism by permitting easier issuance of visitors visas to those persons wishing to come to the United States for less than 90 days. My bill would accomplish that purpose. The article from the Washington Post regarding foreign tourism follows: