[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 108 (Monday, August 8, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      ACQUISITION OF OLD U.S. MINT

  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4812) to direct the Administrator of General Services to 
acquire by transfer the Old U.S. Mint in San Francisco, CA, and for 
other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4812

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. OLD U.S. MINT, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

       Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Administrator of General Services shall take 
     such actions as may be necessary to acquire by transfer, 
     without consideration, the property referred to as the ``Old 
     U.S. Mint'', located at Fifth and Mission Streets in San 
     Francisco, California, together with any improvements, 
     structures, and fixtures located on the property.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio [Mr. Traficant] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Clinger] will be recognized for 20 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant].
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the primary purpose of H.R. 4812 is to transfer the 
title of a very special building in San Francisco, CA, the Old U.S. 
Mint, from the Treasury Department to the General Services 
Administration, at no cost. This legislation will enable GSA, through 
the Federal buildings fund, to repair and renovate this historic 
landmark building.
  The impressive granite building, treasured by the residents of San 
Francisco, and Californians, is on the National Register of Historic 
Places. The building was damaged during the Loma Prieta earthquake and 
needs extensive repair and restoration so that the public may once 
again enjoy it. This bill has my strong support, and the bipartisan 
support of the committee. I urge adoption of H.R. 4812, and reserve 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLINGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4812, a bill to direct the 
Administrator of General Services to transfer, without monetary 
consideration, the Old U.S. Mint in San Francisco, CA, from the 
Department of the Treasury to the General Services Administration.
  The Old U.S. Mint was constructed between 1869 and 1874, and is 
steeped in historical significance. It was built with granite, and has 
withstood earthquakes and fires.
  In 1937 it ceased operating as a mint, and in 1972 was transferred 
from the mint to the Department of the Treasury, which operated the 
building as a museum. In 1993, the building was briefly closed, due to 
the discovery of damage caused by the 1989 earthquake.
  Extensive renovations are needed, and the transfer of this property 
to GSA is the best way to accomplish repairs. GSA will submit a 
detailed prospectus to Congress on the proposed renovations. The 
committee will have an opportunity at that time to review the request, 
and will also have an opportunity to review future use of the building.
  I support this no-cost transfer, and I urge enactment of the 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to 
the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Pelosi], who has worked very hard 
on this initiative.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding this time 
to me.
  I commend the gentleman and his committee for bringing this 
legislation to the floor. I appreciate Representative Clinger's remarks 
in support of this legislation and also want to thank our chairman, the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Mineta], who I see is in the room, the 
author of this legislation. I want to thank him for making this 
possible for us to speak to this legislation today.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation.
  The Old Mint Building was constructed between 1869 and 1874. Its 
nickname is ``Granite Lady,'' being one of the first stone buildings 
completed in San Francisco and now remains as the city's oldest stone 
structure.

                              {time}  1330

  It has stood fast throughout the passage of time. It survived the 
earthquake and fire that devastated much of San Francisco in 1906. It 
is now on the National Register of Historic Places and has been 
designated a National Landmark building. Today, it houses the Old Mint 
Museum, where thousands of tourists and schoolchildren visit each year, 
and various administrative operations for the San Francisco Mint.
  In December of last year, suddenly, and without warning, the Old Mint 
Museum was closed by the Treasury Department which cited an engineering 
report conducted to study the damage caused by the Loma Prieta 
earthquake of 1989. The study concluded that the ``Granite Lady'' could 
no longer adequately protect the basic life safety and health of 
employees and visitors.
  Now, as it approaches its 120th birthday this November, the ``Granite 
Lady,'' needs our help.
  The National Trust for Historic Preservation has designated the Old 
Mint building as one of the Nation's most endangered landmarks.
  The San Francisco community, including its elected officials, 
historic preservationists, major newspapers, and the school children 
who have held bake sales and letter-writing campaigns, all have banded 
together to keep the Old Mint Museum open, but, ultimately, this is a 
Federal responsibility.
  As a national historic landmark, this building will not be torn down. 
Nor can it remain a potential life safety hazard to the community. 
Therefore, as Senator Boxer, who has been exceptional in her leadership 
on this issue, has said in introducing her companion legislation in the 
Senate, it is our responsibility to find a way to ensure that it will 
be repaired.
  The legislation before my colleagues is a simple transfer of title 
from Treasury to the General Services Administration, as the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania [Mr. Clinger] mentioned, to accomplish the goal of 
rehabilitating the Old Mint. I urge the swift adoption of this bill, as 
we are facing deadlines for closure from the Treasury Department.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to quote from a letter from Secretary of 
the Treasury Lloyd Bentsen. It is a letter to former Congresswoman, now 
Senator Boxer:

       As you know, I have sent letters to the Senate Committee on 
     the Environment and Public Works and the House Committee on 
     Public Works and Transportation supporting efforts to obtain 
     a special authorization to fund this retrofit. This 
     legislation would transfer ownership of the Old Mint from the 
     Department of the Treasury to the General Services 
     Administration in order to pay for the improvements from the 
     Public Buildings Fund.

  Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to place Secretary Bentsen's request 
in the Record, and, with that, Mr. Speaker, I know I was yielded such 
time as I may consume, but, if I may, I want to commend the gentleman 
from Ohio [Mr. Traficant] for his leadership and commend the chairman 
of the full committee and author of this legislation for moving this 
bill through so expeditiously.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, no one has looked after the interests of 
California better than the now chairman of the Committee on Public 
Works and Transportation, and he is doing the same job for all of 
America.
  I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California 
[Mr. Mineta].
  (Mr. MINETA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. MINETA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. 
Traficant] for yielding me this time to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4812 and would like to command 
the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Pelosi], my colleague, for joining 
me in cosponsoring this very, very important piece of legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4812 would transfer title to the Old United States 
Mint located in San Francisco to the General Services Administration at 
no cost. It will enable GSA, through the Federal buildings fund, to 
repair and renovate this historic landmark building.
  Mr. Speaker, the Old Mint Building was constructed between 1869 and 
1874. It is one of the first stone buildings constructed in San 
Francisco and now remains as the city's oldest stone structure. It is 
on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated a 
national landmark building. Today it houses the Old Mint Museum where 
thousands of tourists and school children visit each year, as well as 
various administrative operations for the San Francisco Mint.
  Last year, Mr. Speaker, the mint was closed because of damage caused 
by the Loma Prieta earthquake. Now, as it approaches its 120th birthday 
in November, the Old Mint needs our help.
  Mr. Speaker, the legislation before us is a simple transfer of title 
from Treasury to the General Services Administration to accomplish the 
goal of rehabilitating the Old Mint to preserve one of your Nation's 
most endangered landmarks. I urge adoption of H.R. 4812.
  Mr. CLINGER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would just join in commending the gentleman from 
California [Mr. Mineta] and the gentlewoman from California [Ms. 
Pelosi] for this measure which I think is overdue and is obviously 
moving us in the direction to preserve this vital landmark and 
important historical building for posterity.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. 
Clinger] and the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Duncan], the ranking 
member, for all their work on all this legislation. I commend the 
chairman of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation, the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Mineta].
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I would urge an ``aye'' vote.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Montgomery). The question is on the 
motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant] that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4812.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof), the rules were suspended, and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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