Speech #1030232390

Mr. Speaker. as chairman of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus and the Subcommittee on Aviation. I offer my strong support for H.R. 783 which extends the Visa Waiver Pilot Program for 2 years and expands the program to include several countries on a probationary basis. I recognize that with the appropriate measures in place to preserve American security Interests. the visa waiver program Is a proven economic stimulus for local. State. and the national economy. This legislation has particular significance for me in my role as chairman of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus. The Visa Waiver Pilot Program. which has been in place since 1988. has been a tremendous catalyst in encouraging travel and tourism to the United States. From July 1988 through fiscal year 1993. 31 million people were admitted to our country under the Visa Waiver Program. Should the program have expired on September 30 as scheduled. over 10 million prospective travelers who did not need U.S. visas would have been required to acquire a nonimmigrant visa. Additionally. expiration of the program would have caused some countries to reinstate visa requirements for U.S. citizens. Clearly. a situation such as this one would have burdened both travelers to the United Slates and American citizens traveling abroad. Moreover. the expiration of the program would have undoubtedly had a negative impact on the travel and tourism sector of the economy. Delays due to visa processing would have resulted in canceled travel plans and loss of revenue for airlines. hotels. restaurants. small businesses. and other tourismrelated industries in the United States. As you may be aware. over 45 million international visitors spent S74 billion in the United States in 1993. which resulted in employment for 900.000 Americans and made travel and tourism the secondlargest employer and the third largest retail industry. The revenues from these travelers gave the United States a S20.8 billion trade surplusone of the few trade surpluses the U.S. still maintains. Extending the Visa Waiver Program ensures the continuation of this vital economic trend. The benefits of ease of travel for visitors is felt in every congressional district. Every time a visitor enters our country. he or she generates new dollars for State and local economies as well as the national economy.