[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 FIRE SAFETY AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

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                           HON. ROBERT W. NEY

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 14, 2001

  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, the Committee on House Administration has 
received a report from the Office of Compliance on its fire-safety 
investigation of the Library of Congress buildings. A similar report on 
fire safety in the Congressional Office Buildings was presented to the 
Committee in January of 2000.
  The Office of Compliance report identified numerous deficiencies in 
Library fire safety and noted that while some conditions have already 
been corrected, others may require additional time and resources. After 
carefully considering the report, I, along with the Committee's ranking 
member, Mr. Hoyer, have written to the Architect of the Capitol to 
determine what remedial measures will be implemented and the timetable 
for addressing each of the deficiencies raised in the report. I am 
committed to working with the Architect and the Librarian to make the 
Library buildings as safe as possible for the many public patrons, 
employees, Congressional staff, and Members who work in or visit the 
Library.
  Twice in the Library's history, in 1812 and 1851, significant parts 
of its collections were decimated by fire. It is my hope that with the 
technology and expertise at our disposal, history will not repeat 
itself.

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