[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 112 (Tuesday, August 3, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H6928-H6929]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 AUTHORIZING ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL TO PERMIT TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION 
                   AND OTHER WORK ON CAPITOL GROUNDS

  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 167) authorizing 
the Architect of the Capitol to permit temporary construction and other 
work on the Capitol Grounds that may be necessary for construction of a 
building on Constitution Avenue Northwest, between 2nd Street Northwest 
and Louisiana Avenue Northwest.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 167

       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),

     SECTION 1. USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS.

       The Architect of the Capitol may permit temporary 
     construction and other work on the Capitol Grounds that may 
     be necessary for construction of a building on Constitution 
     Avenue Northwest, between 2nd Street Northwest and Louisiana 
     Avenue Northwest. Such work may include activities resulting 
     in temporary obstruction of a curbside parking lane on 
     Louisiana Avenue Northwest and on Constitution Avenue 
     Northwest, between 2nd Street Northwest and Louisiana Avenue 
     Northwest.

     SEC. 2. PERIOD OF USE.

       Work on the Capitol Grounds under section 1 is authorized 
     during the period beginning August 6, 1999, and ending 
     October 31, 2001, or such longer period as the Architect of 
     the Capitol determines necessary.

     SEC. 3. TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

       (a) In General.--Work on the Capitol Grounds under section 
     1 may not begin until the Architect of the Capitol receives 
     such assurances as the Architect may require to ensure that--
       (1) all areas of the Capitol Grounds that are disturbed by 
     reason of such work will be restored to their original 
     condition without expense to the United States; and
       (2) such work will be carried out so as not to interfere 
     with the needs of Congress, under conditions to be prescribed 
     by the Architect of the Capitol.
       (b) Expenses and Liabilities.--The United States shall not 
     incur any expense or liability incident to any activity 
     associated with work on the Capitol Grounds under section 1.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Franks) and the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia 
(Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Franks).
  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 167 will authorize the 
Architect of the Capitol to enter into an agreement with the United 
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners for a construction project that 
is scheduled to begin August 15, 1999.
  The Carpenters and Joiners Union headquarters is located on 
Constitution Avenue between 2nd Street and Louisiana Avenue, Northwest. 
This property is adjacent to the Capitol Grounds.
  The Union plans to demolish its existing headquarters and construct a 
new larger facility. In order to do this, a small section of parking 
spots and a sidewalk on Louisiana Avenue will be closed for about 2 
years.
  Let me be clear about the affected area along Constitution Avenue and 
Louisiana Avenue. It is the curbside lane between 1st and 2nd Street, 
Northwest only. This authority in no way extends beyond those two 
streets insofar as the Capitol Grounds are concerned.
  This activity will not interfere with the needs of Congress and will 
not cost the government. The building owners will restore all affected 
areas of the Capitol Grounds to its original condition once 
construction is completed.
  I support this resolution wholeheartedly and urge my colleagues to 
join in support.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  2130

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  First, Mr. Speaker, may I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. 
Shuster) for the way in which he has shepherded this matter through 
committee and to the floor. I am very grateful for the attention he has 
given it. May I also thank the distinguished ranking member the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar) for his invaluable assistance 
in getting this matter to the floor this evening. I very much 
appreciate the work of my own chairman the gentleman from New Jersey 
(Mr. Franks) who in committee today saw to it that this matter came and 
was expeditiously handled in the subcommittee itself. This 
straightforward resolution will allow the Architect of the Capitol to 
permit temporary construction and necessary other work on the Capitol 
grounds. The site is along Constitution Avenue in my district between 
Second Street and Louisiana Avenue Northwest and along Louisiana to 
First Street Northwest. The construction project will create a high end 
building with class A office space right here at the foot of Capitol 
Hill. The new building will be 10 stories high and will contain 500,000 
square feet. The Architect has requested a resolution to permit the 
temporary closing of the curb lane along Louisiana Avenue and 
Constitution Avenue.
  Again I want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey for the very 
expeditious way in which he has handled this matter and for his 
continued support for activities that positively affect the economic 
health of the Nation's capital, the District of Columbia.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the ranking member of the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me 
this time. I rise to support the resolution and to express my great 
appreciation to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) for 
moving so expeditiously on this matter which is very timely for the 
carpenters union for the replacement and construction of this facility 
so near to the Capitol. I appreciate the support of the chairman of the 
subcommittee also for acting so quickly. I want to compliment the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia on her steadfast persistence 
and leadership on this matter. She is a true advocate and champion for 
the District and a great voice.
  This facility has one of the prime locations in all of Washington. It 
shall be very interesting to see the facility removed and 
reconstructed. I understand that there is a splendid plan to replace 
that facility. It is very important to all who are concerned, not only 
those building the structure but those who are going to rent, the 
various associations that would be a part of this.
  I just wanted to rise and express my great appreciation to the 
majority for moving so quickly on a matter of such timely importance to 
those involved and again to compliment the gentlewoman for her 
leadership and express my great appreciation to the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) for his cooperation.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I 
very much appreciate the remarks of the ranking member the gentleman 
from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar). I do want to say that I know that the 
carpenters union is as grateful for the way in which this has been 
handled this evening as I am. I want to assure the House that the 
matter under construction has received already the approval of the 
appropriate Federal and local authorities and will continue to go 
through those approvals. We needed only now the approval of the House 
to make sure the construction could indeed proceed.

[[Page H6929]]

  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Miller of Florida). The question is on 
the motion offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Franks) that 
the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, 
House Concurrent Resolution 167.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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