Gus Bilirakis Honored by U.S. Travel Association

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., was honored by the U.S. Travel Association on Wednesday with its Distinguished Travel Champion Award." Bilirakis was joined by U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Prtitzker; U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D.; U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; and U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill.

"These 'Travel Champions' have helped make travel one of the most dynamic sectors of the U.S. economy," said Roger Dow, the president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. "The U.S. officials recognized today have a proven track record of advancing policies that help make travel a major job creator and a driver of enhanced economic opportunity in communities all across the United States. We are privileged to honor Sec. Pritzker, Sens. Thune and Klobuchar and Reps. Bilirakis and Quigley, and we hope other political leaders will take their cue in promoting increased travel by enacting supportive policies in the coming year."

The association praised the Florida congressman as follows:

Rep. Bilirakis hit the ground running as co-chair of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus by successfully shepherding the Travel Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act of 2014 -- Brand USA reauthorization -- through the House of Representatives. He continues to be a tireless champion of America's travel industry.