[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S12025]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS

 Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I want to thank the chairman and 
ranking member for working together to report this bill. I will 
certainly support final passage.
  One of the most important budget items in this bill to me and my 
Seattle area constituents is funding for the new Federal courthouse. 
This courthouse has been needed, and in the works, for almost a decade. 
As Congress has expanded the role of Federal courts in crime fighting 
and other areas, our judges have gotten more and more squeezed. There 
is no doubt a new courthouse is needed.
  At this time, the General Services Administration, working with the 
city of Seattle, has tentatively selected the main library for the city 
as the site for the new courthouse. The library is in sore need of 
replacement or major restoration. The library is a cherished public 
asset. The people in and near Seattle check out books at a rate of 1 
million per year. They bring their children to story hour, attend the 
diverse programs, and conduct tremendous amounts of personal and 
professional research.
  The city of Seattle recognizes the need for expansion of the Federal 
courthouse and is committed to working energetically in partnership 
with the GSA to make this a reality. Seattle has offered to relocate 
its library to expedite expansion of the courthouse. I am pleased the 
city and GSA intend to work together, as quickly as possible, to find a 
mutually agreeable resolution of the cost and timing questions.
  Mr. President, I again thank the chairman and ranking member for 
doing their part to move this courthouse toward completion. The need 
for the courthouse and a smooth, cost-efficient transition to a new 
library cannot be overstated. I look forward to working with you 
further in the coming years of this project to ensure the Federal 
justice system is poised to meet the growing needs of the region, and 
that Seattle's central library is kept whole in the process.

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