Congressman Foley’s Resignation Leaves Vacant Seat on U.S. House Travel Caucus

The sudden resignation September 29 of Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.), following allegations that he sent sexually related electronic messages to at least one congressional page, leaves the Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus without one of its co-founders.

Mr. Foley, in a bi-partisan effort, teamed with Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.) in 1997 to resurrect the then long-dormant caucus to draw support for the travel industry and to highlight its impact on the U.S. economy.

More than 200 representatives from the House are members of the caucus. With Foley’s resignation, the caucus is left without a co-chair.

Rick Webster, vice president of Government Affairs for the Travel Industry of America, said industry representatives would likely meet with Farr to discuss tapping another republican to co-chair the caucus.

Mr. Foley, a long time advocate for the travel industry, in April 2002 sent a letter to then U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft, contending the major airlines’ decision to terminate base commissions for travel agencies was “detrimental” to travelers.

In the letter Foley wrote, “Removal of the (agent) pay structure by the airlines severely hinders the purchasing public from making a well-versed and knowledgeable decision.”

Following Foley’s resignation from the House of Representatives on September 29, for which federal and state lawmakers have launched an investigation, he subsequently entered a rehabilitation facility for alcoholism treatment October 2.