IV 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 629 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 10, 2009 Mr. Blumenauer submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform RESOLUTION Recognizing the accomplishments of the U.S. General Services Administration since its creation in 1949 for providing policy leadership and expertly managed space, products, services, and solutions, at the best value, to enable Federal employees to accomplish their missions.

Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration was established July 1, 1949, by the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman, as recommended by the Hoover Commission, to avoid “senseless duplication, excess cost, and confusion in handling supplies and providing space”; Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration manages the Federal inventory of public buildings, both historic properties and new construction, and leases space from the private sector to provide workplaces for 1,000,000 Federal workers; Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration is entrusted with the preservation of 301 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and is responsible for one of the largest and most diverse art collections in the United States through its Fine Arts and Art-in-Architecture Programs; Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration has helped encourage livable communities in the United States by building partnerships with local governments to encourage civic, educational, and retail activities in Federal buildings and plazas or, alternatively, to develop business plans for communities when Federal facilities are scheduled to close; Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration provides local, long-distance, Internet, and wireless services for Federal agencies at highly competitive rates through some of the largest and most complex contractual arrangements affecting civilian agencies; Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration has helped revitalize communities in the United States by building partnerships with local governments to encourage civic, educational, and retail activities in Federal buildings and plazas or, alternatively, to develop business plans for communities when Federal facilities are scheduled to close; Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration directs the donation of surplus Federal real and personal property to schools, hospitals, State and local governments, and nonprofit organizations, or sells that property to ensure that the United States taxpayer receives the maximum benefit; Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration promotes contracting with small, minority, and women-owned businesses and serves as the primary distribution channel for commodities produced by the National Institutes for the Blind, NISH, and the Federal Prison Industries; Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration has been an advocate for the private sector by making it increasingly easier to do business with the Federal Government; Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration has been a leader in electronic commerce through its $30,000,000,000 charge card programs for purchase and travel; Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration aids Federal environmental programs by managing the Federal Recycling Program and by encouraging appropriate procurement practices, the use of alternative fuel vehicles, the conservation of water and energy, and the adoption of sustainable building practices; Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration oversees family-friendly programs in the Federal workplace including child care centers and telecommuting centers nationwide; Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration serves as a focal point for citizens seeking information from the United States Government through its Office of Citizen Services, providing access to information and services, promoting intergovernmental collaboration, and fostering innovation; Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration has encouraged the use of high performing, efficient buildings throughout the Federal Government, has established an Office of High Performing, Green Buildings, and has already earned a LEED rating for 24 of its facilities; and Whereas for 60 years, the U.S. General Services Administration has worked with Congress to provide expertly managed space, products, services, and solutions for the Federal workforce: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)congratulations and highly commends the employees of the U.S. General Services Administration for their outstanding efforts on behalf of the taxpayers of the United States; and (2)encourages the U.S. General Services Administration to continue to lead by example, and urges its continued leadership in having the Federal Government lead the way in energy efficiency, efficient workspaces, and sustainable practices, and to continue to be a partner with local governments and communities.