[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 125 (Thursday, September 18, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H7578-H7579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        FEDERAL PROPERTY ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES ACT AMENDMENTS

  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the 
Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 680) to amend the Federal Property and 
Administrative Services Act of 1949 to authorize the transfer of 
surplus personal property to States for donation to nonprofit providers 
of necessaries to impoverished families and individuals, and to 
authorize the transfer of surplus real property to States, political 
subdivisions and instrumentalities of States, and nonprofit 
organizations for providing housing or housing assistance for low-
income individuals or families, with Senate amendments thereto, and 
concur in the Senate amendments.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The Clerk read the Senate amendments, as follows:

       Senate amendments:
       Page 4, after line 8 insert:
       (D)(i) The administrator shall ensure that nonprofit 
     organizations that are sold or leased property under 
     subparagraph (B) shall develop and use guidelines to take 
     into consideration any disability of an individual for the 
     purposes of fulfilling any self-help requirement under 
     subparagraph (C)(i).
       (ii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term 
     ``disability'' has the meaning given such term under section 
     3(2) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 
     U.S.C. 12102(2)).
       Page 4, line 9, strike out ``(D)'' and insert ``(E)''.

  Mr. HORN (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that the Senate amendments be considered as read and printed in the 
Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the original request 
of the gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California [Mr. Horn] is 
recognized for 1 hour.
  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 680 is a bill to enhance charitable 
activities by authorizing the transfer of surplus property to 
organizations that provide assistance to impoverished individuals. This 
bill offers a helping hand to the neediest in our society at virtually 
no cost to the taxpayers.

[[Page H7579]]

  The Senate amendments make a point of clarification that improves the 
bill. It ensures that no person will be prevented from meeting certain 
matching eligibility requirements due to disability.
  Currently, Federal agencies declare excess over $6 billion a year in 
Federal personal and real property. They declare that excess, what we 
call surplus. Although some of this property is used by other Federal 
agencies, much of it is donated to a select list of eligible groups. 
H.R. 680 expands the list of eligible groups to include charities that 
provide services to poor families. These groups, including self-help 
housing groups, such as Habitat for Humanity, and groups such as food 
and clothing banks, will be eligible for the property on the same basis 
as State and local government agencies.
  By granting private charities and the food and clothing banks the 
same status as State and local government agencies, H.R. 680 will help 
these organizations to provide items such as school supplies, blankets, 
clothing to poor people and other items that would help the charities 
accomplish their mission.
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, earlier today H.R. 680, as 
amended by the Senate, passed the House by unanimous consent. H.R. 680 
as amended makes two important changes in the law governing the 
donation of Federal property no longer needed by the Federal 
Government. These changes have been agreed to in a bipartisan manner, 
both in this House and in the other body.
  The first change allows the donation of surplus personal property to 
organizations which help all property-stricken people, not only the 
homeless as currently permitted. Passage of this measure is long 
overdue. It passed the House in the 103d Congress, only to miss final 
clearance because of adjournment. This provision will help charities 
like Habitat for Humanity and food banks better assist this Nation's 
needy.
  In my own State of New York, I have been assured by the State surplus 
property agency that this law will help get clothing and other 
necessities into the hands of The Phoenix House, Day Top Village, and 
local branches of the Salvation Army, where the real war on poverty is 
waged. Congressman Lee Hamilton, the author of this bill, deserves all 
of our thanks for his effort to achieve this clearly needed change to 
help the impoverished.
  H.R. 680, as amended, will also allow for the donation of Federal 
surplus real property to nonprofit groups which provide housing to low-
income individuals and families, groups like Habitat for Humanity, 
founded by former President Jimmy Carter. Such donations would be 
permitted only if the families receiving assistance contribute a 
significant amount of labor toward the construction of the homes, and 
all local building codes would have to be met. The other body has 
amended H.R. 680 to ensure that this provision will not unfairly 
discriminate against those with mental or physical disabilities. H.R. 
680 preserves the General Services Administration's central role in the 
disposal process and has been carefully crafted to prevent any future 
abuse.
  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I ask that this bill be passed, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the Senate amendments are 
concurred in.
  There was no objection.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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