Only Vegas admirers in this House discussion

By Lisa Mascaro

Friday, March 27, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley held court on the House floor one night this week on a topic near and dear to her heart: Tourist travel to Las Vegas.

The hour was late. The day’s legislative business was done. But the floor remained open to those still wanting to debate.

Berkley has been defending her hometown ever since it started getting a bad rap as a place of excess for companies receiving federal bailout money.

The congresswoman gathered a handful of like-minded tourist-state reps for a spirited discussion.

At times, it sounded like an infomercial.

Here’s a sample of the exchange, abbreviated and edited for length:

•••

Berkley: We know leisure travel is down because of the recession and that it’s a little bit more challenging for families to go on vacation now, and I can understand that, but Las Vegas has been particularly hit in business travel. I’m wondering if you’re seeing an impact on business travel as well.

Rep. Ron Klein, D-Fla.: Yes, there has been an impact. We have a lot of hotels that do a lot of business travel.

Berkley: They’re the second best in the United States.

Klein: I don’t know if it’s the second best. It may be the best … It’s not just the hotel. It’s the food that goes with it. It’s all of the hospitality.

Berkley: Taxicab drivers.

Klein: Absolutely.

Berkley: Dry cleaning.

Klein: That’s right, and there is some great shopping in local communities, of course, that goes with it.

Berkley: I love shopping.

•••

Rep. Sam Farr, D-Calif.: The prices for air travel going through Las Vegas are the cheapest in the United States.

Berkley: Yes. Yes. We’re practically giving away rooms in order to attract people to our community. I don’t think the three of us, any of us, are suggesting that companies should be using taxpayers’ dollars in order to fund business travel.

Farr: No, absolutely not.

Klein: No. I would just support what you’re saying.

•••

Farr: I stopped in Las Vegas and had never been there. And I went to Cirque du Soleil. That is a show that I think is — it is the epitome of creation, of musical talent and acrobatic talent.

Berkley: I’ve seen all of the Cirque du Soleils a number of times.

Farr: If I had enough money, I would rent the whole theater and invite the whole world because I think it is something that everybody should see. It is a tribute to mankind’s creativity.

•••

Klein: You are probably the greatest representative that Las Vegas has ever had because of your beliefs in the industry.

Berkley: I am wearing roulette earrings right now. So I take this very seriously.

•••

Alan Grayson, D-Fla.: There is increasing evidence to support the idea that taking vacations is necessary for your health.

Berkley: Your health?

Grayson: Your health. In times of economic uncertainty, it may seem hard to justify taking a vacation, but more than ever it is important to do so for your health.

Berkley: When people come to Las Vegas, we don’t want them sleeping.

Grayson: I was in Las Vegas last year. I had a great time.

Berkley: Good. I hope you left a little money on the table.

Farr: I think this last statement about how it’s good for our mental health is absolutely true.

Berkley: We could use some good mental health in Congress, that’s for sure.

•••

Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev.: Travel is so educational … If you want to look for the heart and soul of a small community, take that trip.

•••

Berkley: Well, I think we have spoken for about an hour. We want to invite everybody back. Do those business meetings. Stop canceling. Stop being foolish. Enjoy and do your business in Las Vegas, in Monterey, in Florida, Atlantic City, New York, Miami. We need you.