[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H7418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRANSIT PASSES FOR HOUSE EMPLOYEES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, sometimes the action of this Chamber can 
confuse or disappoint even those of us on the floor. We find 
occasionally people switching sides of debate on the great issues, 
seemingly to suit their mood or whim.
  Everybody agrees, at a time of great need for the wise use of Federal 
dollars, that too much is not used as wisely as possible. Despite the 
rhetoric about Washington living by the rules that we impose on the 
rest of America, we still have some very frustrating things happening, 
like the Post Office building in Flood Plains.
  I am pleased that the House leaves to return to our districts this 
week having done one thing that benefits everyone, that saves money, 
improves the quality of life in Washington, D.C. and its environs, 
without acrimony or micromanagement.
  I am pleased that this week the Committee on House Oversight took 
action on a proposal that I have been working on here for the last 2 
years. We have acquired some 256 cosponsors, enlisted the assistance of 
dozens of people around the country and an alliance with able Members 
of this Chamber, like the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella), the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) and the gentleman from Michigan 
(Mr. Ehlers).
  That proposal that was approved will enable us to provide transit 
passes for our employees. It is a small step towards improving the 
quality of life and having us do what we ask the rest of America to do. 
It gives, for the first time, employees on the House side the choice 
between free parking or subsidized transit. It provides savings for 
hundreds of our employees who already use transit and incentives for 
hundreds more who will, in fact, take advantage of it.
  It is a smaller step for clean air. It is a nudge for people to live 
nearer to where they work or near transit stations and not drive on the 
streets of the second most congested area of the country that are sadly 
in need of repair.
  It is a move for us to have more authority behind our urging America 
to be more sensitive in how we use our environmental resources.
  Last but not least, it is an important step towards uniformity in 
Federal transit and parking policies for our employees.
  But in a sense, Mr. Speaker, it is a very important part of a larger 
picture. It shows how the Federal Government can use its great powers 
and solemn responsibilities as a partner for a more livable community.
  In the final analysis, America often sort of looks askance at what we 
talk about on the floor of this House, when what they care about is 
making sure their children are safe when they go out the door to go out 
to school in the morning, that they are economically secure and 
healthy.
  I look forward to more steps, in this Congress and beyond, where we 
harness our resources planning for a more livable future, using the 
land, the infrastructure, environmental protection, and housing for 
more livable communities.
  This transit pass is an important step in showing that we know how to 
put the pieces together. I appreciate the steps that the Committee on 
House Oversight has taken on behalf of our employees and a better 
environment.

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