[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 3754, LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  1997

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 1, 1996

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report 
today. I want to thank the chairman and the ranking member for their 
concern about a provision that was of particular concern to me.
  This House is obviously undergoing a change in management. As a 
result, many of our hardworking, loyal, nonlegislative House employees 
have been through a period of great unrest and unease.
  As passed by this House, this bill originally contained language 
regarding the privatization of certain aspects of the Architect of the 
Capitol, including the maintenance workers. I am pleased that as a 
result of the work of the conference, and particularly Mr. Serrano, 
that the report before us today now contains language protecting the 
current employees so that they will not be displaced by an 
privatization.
  The bulk of this work force are older, minority employees who would 
be hard pressed to find new jobs at this stage in their careers. They 
have served this institution and its particular needs well. It would 
have been unfair at this time to proceed with privatization without 
properly protecting these employees. I am glad that the conference 
report now contains language providing that important protection.
  Furthermore, as the Architect studies further privatization options, 
which I hope are not proceeded with, I believe it is important that we 
continue to consider the unique nature of the congressional buildings, 
the loyalty of the existing work force and the particular needs of our 
institution. I do not believe all the answers lie in outsourcing these 
services and will continue to work with the members of the subcommittee 
and on the House Oversight Committee on which I serve, to ensure fair 
and reasonable treatment for our hardworking employees.
  Mr. Speaker, again, I thank the members of the conference for their 
sensitivity to these concerns and look forward to continuing to work 
with them.

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