International tourists are so important that travel and tourism itself has become one of Americas largest employers. directly employing 6.8 million Americans anti generating a total travelrlaied payroll of $121.6 billion. Travel and tourism In fact ranks as the first. second. or third largest employer in fully .2 States and the District of Columbia. The visa waiver program extends to more than 20 Countries right new. including Japan. Germany. fnd the United States. and touriats from these countries ]lave generatl considerable dollars for us. Some 5 million .lapanose. for Instance. visited America lit 1906. and they spent more than $10 hlllion while they were here. Why do I keep underscoring numbers? Why do I keep talking about dollars? liecause the jobs and the economy of the United Siates depend on a vibrant touriam Industry. The visa waiver program has been part. and iuu.el of that success. As cochaitman of the Congressional Travel and Toursn Caucus. along with my colleague. tm gentleman from California (Mr. FatlII. I st.rongly support the visa waiver program because of the benefits it provides to our economy through tourism. I strongly urge my colleagues. whose State economics all benefit. from travel and tourism. to vote yes on the chairmans bill to keep this prograin alive. Whether Members know It or not. and they should ask their local restaurant operator. ask their local hotelier. ask thei local rental car agent. ask their local merchant. how many people come into their businesses on an annual basis that are from other countries?