[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 175 (Tuesday, November 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2118-E2119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN SUPPORT OF SELLING A CONGRESSIONAL HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING

                                 ______


                            HON. BOB FRANKS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 7, 1995

  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, in January, the House 
Republican Conference passed a resolution calling for:

       The sale of a congressional building to the private sector 
     as a clear statement to the American people of our commitment 
     to shrink the size of the Federal Government.

  In order to meet that commitment, a task force of interested Members 
was created in order to develop a proposal that would allow the 
Republican Conference to meet its commitment to ``sell a congressional 
building.''
  As a member of that task force, I am here to voice my support of the 
plan to sell 501 1st Street, SE, in order to fulfill the House 
Republican Conference resolution. According to the Architect of the 
Capitol, it is my understanding that this property could bring an 
estimated sale price of over $2 million. I can't think of a better way 
to show the American people Congress' intention to shrink the size of 
the Federal Government than by divesting itself of this property.
  Upon the sale of 501 1st Street, the task force proposes the 
relocation of the Architect of the Capitol engineering and related 
support activities to the Ford House Office Building and the transfer 
of the House Child Care Center also to the Ford House Office Building.
  Considering that Congress abolished three standing committees, a 
quarter of all committee staff, and eliminated all the legislative 

[[Page E 2119]]
service organizations, the Architect's office estimates that there is 
enough room available in Ford for the Architect's employees and the 
House Child Care Center.
  Mr. Speaker, the sale of 501 1st Street would prove to the American 
people that the new majority in Congress is committed to shrinking the 
size of the Federal Government by downsizing itself and using that 
space that it owns more efficiently. I urge my colleagues to support 
the task force's plan to sell 501 1st Street, SE, and keep our promise 
to the American people.

                          ____________________