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May will now be known as Travel and Tourism Month in Knoxville after Mayor Don Zoutte signed a proclamation in honor of the special observance yesterday afternoon. The proclamation states that travelers and tourists spend over $38 million in Marion County alone each year as they flock to the area for our many amenities such as Lake Red Rock, the Knoxville Raceway, National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum and the Marion County Park. Residents are encouraged to join Zoutte in celebrating the month with appropriate events and commemorations.
PROCLAMATION
Whereas, travel to and within the United States provides significant economic benefits for the nation, generating $1.8 trillion in economic output in 2010, with $759 billion spent directly by travelers that spurred an additional $1 trillion in other industries;
Whereas, Each year travelers and tourists spend over $38 million dollars in Marion County alone;
Whereas, Knoxville and Marion County have the largest Lake in the State of Iowa, in Lake Red Rock which is known across the Nation for its boating, camping fishing and other recreational facilities;
Whereas, The Knoxville Raceway is the premier auto racing facility in the Country that attracts thousands of visitors each and every year with the premier weekly events and the largest and best Sprint Car event in the World, the Knoxville Nationals. Attracting people from the United States, Canada, Australia, and several other parts of the world to our city;
Whereas, the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame is the only one of its kind in the entire world, attracting thousands of people to our city from destinations all over the World, showing and instructing visitors on the history and stars past and present in the Sport of Sprint Car and Auto Racing in general;
Whereas, the Marion County Park with its rolling hills and its many camping and recreational facilities located in Knoxville, add to the serenity and relaxation of thousands of visitors on a yearly basis;
Whereas, leisure travel, which accounts for more than three-quarters of all trips taken in the United States, spurs countless benefits to travelers’ creativity, cultural awareness, education, happiness, productivity, relationships and wellness;
Whereas, travel is a catalyst that moves the local, state and the national economy forward;
Now, therefore, I, Donald Zoutte, Mayor do hereby proclaim May, 2011 as Travel and Tourism Month in Knoxville, Iowa, and urge the citizens of Knoxville to join me in this special observance with appropriate events and commemorations.

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