>> ms. simon, very quickly. >> we anticipate -- let me start by saying the national parks is a huge part of what is promoted to international visitation through grand u.s.a., which is our federal marketing arm for tourism. so we know that the international visitors are coming here to see the parks. they come into the gateways. they also see the party generally on the first visits to win this debate will be lasting effects in terms of international visitation, particularly in the fall as they look toward next year's trips coming in october and november. >> the chair recognizes the gentleman from tennessee, mr. duncan. >> thank you very much, mr. chairman. a big part of the great smoky mountains national park is in my district. and without objection i would like to place a statement by the county mayor ed mitchell in the record. mayor mitchell has been a great leader in trying to find ways to open the park back up, and he's asked the park service to let the county operate the park, and have said the

i thank you, ms. simon, for your testimony. are we really surprised that the government shutdown would have an impact on our gateway communities, on our tourism industry? it isn't just something one could have foreseen? >> i don't think the fact that there was an impact was a surprise, no. i think everyone anticipated it. it was really not knowing what to expect come the first day of the shutdown. >> and that is why it is such a dismaying activity, given that it could have been avoided. a bill could have been brought to the floor that would have democratic support, the senate bill that was passed by the senate on a bipartisan basis, brought to the floor of the house of representative, supported by democrats, supported by republicans and would have avoided this altogether. the national parks are where a lot of the discussion is going because they're very visible to the american people. and it's happening at a moment in time when visitation has historically been very high. but i don't think we can overlook all the other people an

ms. simon. >> thank you, chairman issa, chairman hastings, ranking members cummings and defazio, and members of the committees. i appreciate the opportunity to testify today on behalf of our members and the tourism industry. the national tour association membership includes 700 tour operators who package tours to, from and within north america. they collectively move 10 million travelers annually and represent $6 billion in annual sales. 74% work domestically and 36% are bringing international visitors into the united states. they serve both groups of individuals, travelers of all ages and various special interest groups and the majority of our members are small businesses. the balance of our 3,000 members are suppliers of travel components like hotels, attractions, restaurants, transportation companies, and destination marketers such as national, state and local tourism organizations. tour operators and their customers plan their trips six to 18 months in advance. so an abrupt shutdown of 401

ms. lisa simon is the president of the national tourist association and mr. myron abele is director of energy and global warming policy at the competitive enterprise institute and mr. denis galvin is a member of the board of trustees and the national association pursuant to the rules of the oversight committee, i would ask that all members rise and raise your right hand and be sworn in. >> use only swear or affirm that the testimony is the truth and the whole truth and nothing but your. >> we do. >> please be seated and let the record reflect that all witnesses answered in the affirmative. we have a large panel today on both sides and in order to allow time i ask that you limit your opening statements to five minutes and your entire opening record plus any other submissions you think are pertinent to your testimony to be placed in the record. with that, i recognize the mayor. >> thank you, chairman i said.. thank you. and i would also like to recognize your assistance in many ways as well. i come before you today wearing two hats. i am the mayor of our small

. >> oh, simone, thank goodness you're all right. >> ms.s something we need to talk to you about. >> oh! come on, let's get you home. >> ms. taylor, there's something we need -- >> and you're so lucky to have someone like josh to take care of you for the rest of your life. >> alma, there's something they both want to tell you. >> sasha -- >> mom! josh and i like each other, but what if we don't end up together? >> that's ridiculous, right, josh? >> yes, ma'am. >> ahem. >> uh, no, ma'am. look, i want to be a good father, but i also want to finish high school, go to college, and become an engineer. >> and so do i. well, not the engineer or the father part. we're not ready to settle down and be a family. we may never be. >> you don't want to raise a child alone like i did. >> she won't. i'll be there. >> me too. >> and so will i. >> so you all think i'm wrong for wanting the best for my daughter? >> i'm not saying that! but i need to have a say in what's best for me, too, if that's okay with you. >> so you're saying you want me out of your lif

ms. damrau to stage right. >> please. >> maestro to the pit, please. maestro to the orchestra pit, please. >> simon lust, and vengeance in a corrupt court in 16th-century italy. this one plays out in its modern equivalent: las vegas in the 1960s. ♪ the heartthrob, the duke, is now a big shot singer and casino owner with an eye for the ladies. ♪ the met provides subtitles for its hd broadcasts, and those have been revamped too. ♪ >> take it easy, fella. >> simon: it's a big role of the dice for peter gelb. will the old guard be ready for show girls, a pole dancer, even a sharp-dressed hit man? his name is sparafucile, one of the longest names in opera. ♪ >> simon: when you decided to put on "rigoletto," in las vegas, what worried you the most? >> gelb: that i was heading for a disaster, but it's a risk worth taking. >> simon: the risk of doing nothing is the greatest risk of all. in the last act the mood changes. rigoletto will not have a happy ending. very few operas do. >> damrau: let's go and die. >> lucic: yeah, but peacefully. ♪ >> simon: the plot is much too complicated to explain, but we'll j