[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 118 (Wednesday, September 9, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1674]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        H.R. 4523, THE LORTON TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS ACT OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 9, 1998

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
`Lorton Technical Corrections Act of 1998.' This important legislation, 
cosponsored by Congressman Jim Moran and Congressman Frank Wolf, will 
serve to put a mechanism in place to deal with the future of the lands 
associated with the Lorton Correctional Complex in Lorton, Virginia.
  In early 1997, the Congress and the Administration agreed to work 
cooperatively, in good faith, to restructure the Federal relationship 
with the District of Columbia. The municipal affairs of the Nation's 
Capital, for Constitutional and historic reasons reflecting fundamental 
national policy, are part of the most complex local governmental 
structure in the United States. In this Congress, I introduced the 
`National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 
1997' which was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support as a part 
of `The Balanced Budget Act of 1997.' With the support and hard work of 
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and the delegation from the 
Commonwealth of Virginia, this legislation included the mandated 
closure of the Lorton Prison by the end of the year 2001. Under the 
law, DC correctional functions will be assumed by the Federal Bureau of 
Prisons and DC inmates will be housed at other facilities outside of 
northern Virginia.
  Current law would also transfer control of the Lorton parcel to the 
U.S. Department of Interior after 2001. At the time of enactment of 
this law, after considering various options, my colleague Jim Moran and 
I concluded that the Interior Department was the best Federal agency to 
maintain the integrity of the parcel and to meet my intention that the 
area be preserved as open space to the maximum extent possible. While 
recognizing the importance of reserving the authority of members of the 
community to assist in the ultimate determination of future uses of the 
property, I have always been concerned about maintaining significant 
open space in the parcel and avoiding damage to ecologically sensitive 
areas. I also believe that we must ensure that the I-96 corridor is not 
burdened by further traffic congestion in the Lorton area.
  However, subsequent to the enactment of the closing of Lorton Prison 
it has become clear that the Department of the Interior is not the 
agency best suited to handle the future disposition of the Lorton 
parcel. Therefore, it has become incumbent upon the Virginia delegation 
to once again work to establish a Federal mechanism that will properly 
address the future of the land.
  This bill introduced today will create such a mechanism. This 
legislation is the result of many hours of hard work and negotiation 
between Congressman Moran, Congressman, Wolf, Senators Warner and Robb, 
the General Services Administration (GSA), the Departments of Interior 
and Justice, the Office of Management and Budget, and myself. Under the 
bill 1) the GSA will assume control of the land; 2) the County of 
Fairfax will submit an official reuse plan to the GSA delineating 
preferred permissible or required uses of the land; and 3) the 
Department of Interior will have the ability to reserve a portion of 
the land if desired to enhance U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
properties within the Commonwealth of Virginia.
  Most importantly, this legislation will allow for the continuance and 
expansion of park and recreation uses on the parcel. The County of 
Fairfax, working with GSA, will have the utmost flexibility to preserve 
the rural character of the land; expand parkland and recreational 
amenities to better serve the region, and guarantee that all projects 
on the land do not further burden the I-95 corridor and do serve to 
enhance the quality of life of Virginia residents.
  I look forward to working with Congressman Moran, Congressman Wolf, 
Congresswoman Norton and Senators Warner and Robb to achieve quick 
consideration and passage of this important legislation.

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