[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 14, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1372-S1374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CAPITOL VISITORS CENTER

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I can remember traveling home a day in July 
two and a half years ago when I learned on the radio that two Capitol 
policemen, Detective John Gibson and Officer Jacob Chestnut, had been 
murdered in the Capitol.
  When there is a loss of life, it affects us all; but, these men were 
in the line of fire and prevented other people from being killed.
  I also had a particular affinity toward Detective John Gibson because 
of the assistance he provided at a function when my wife took ill. He, 
in a very heroic fashion, exercised good judgment in helping with the 
medical problems my wife was experiencing. A short time after he 
gallantly helped my wife, he was murdered.
  Furthermore, the deaths of Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut were 
painful for me because I was a Capitol policeman. I put myself through 
law school working in the Capitol as a police officer.
  The reason I mention these events is that I was stunned Monday to 
read that the visitors center that we as Members of the Senate and the 
House rushed forward to do something about following the murders of 
these two men was now grinding to, if not a halt, a slowdown. I rise 
today to express my serious concern and extreme disappointment with 
recent reports that construction of the much needed Capitol visitors 
center may fall further behind schedule. In fact, the way things have 
been going, we must ask ourselves if the project will ever be 
completed.
  On the front page of Monday's edition of Roll Call, the Hill 
newspaper, the headline read: ``Visitors Center Funds `Lagging,' 
Officials Say $65 Million Short of Goal With Clock Ticking.''
  After all that has transpired, after all the statements we have heard 
on this floor and the floor of the House, I am ashamed we have found 
ourselves in this predicament. Any further delay in construction of the 
much needed Capitol visitors center must be prevented. We must take 
action as quickly as possible.
  Every night I leave my office in the Capitol to go home, I exit 
through the memorial door. It is called the memorial door because there 
are two plaques on the wall commemorating Officer Chestnut and 
Detective Gibson. I see their faces each night as I walk out the door.
  In response to these murders, many Members renewed our call for the 
construction of the visitors center which has been talked about for 
years. I can remember talking about this project when I was the 
chairman of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Committee. When I was 
chairman, we cleared the cars off the east front of the Capitol. There 
are very few automobiles out there now, but we did it, for security and 
the fact that it was an eyesore. Unfortunately, it's still an eyesore--
that blacktop on the East side of the Capitol of the United States. The 
only superpower left in the world and we have an ugly blacktop out 
here. More important than the visual aspect, however, are the safety 
concerns. The reason Chestnut and Gibson were killed, in my opinion, is 
that they had no protection. A madman with a gun rushed through the 
door and shot Chestnut. Gibson valiantly came forward to protect a 
Member and others from being shot, and he was killed. A visitors center 
would enhance safety for these fine men and women who guard us. Men and 
women who guard the the thousands of Americans who come to this 
building every day.
  In addition to that, we always see people lined up out there on the 
east side of the Capitol waiting to get into the building. We see them 
during the spring and summer months. We see them during the fall months 
when school is out. Even during the winter months, they line up for 
blocks. People from all over America--from Nevada, Montana, Maine--come 
to Washington to visit the Capitol. They are forced--I say ``forced'' 
because there is no place else to go--to stand outside in the elements, 
whether it is raining, snowing, or 100 degrees, without the benefit of 
restrooms, a place to get something to eat, or a place to get something 
to drink. The Capitol visitors center would allow the Capitol Police to 
better protect themselves and all of us

[[Page S1373]]

who come to this Capitol complex to work or to visit, and would also 
provide an indoor facility for visitors to stand in line, as well as a 
gift shop, a cafeteria, and a place for them to go to the bathroom.
  We have authorized $100 million for the construction of this Capitol 
visitors center. It will cost, however, $265 million. After six 
different congressional committees exercised their jurisdiction, it was 
decided that we would sell $65 million worth of commemorative coins 
from the U.S. Mint, with the additional $100 million raised in the 
private sector. I have never thought the money should be raised in the 
private sector. If there were ever something that should be paid for by 
the government, it should be a visitors center to this Capitol.
  I commend all of the donors who gave their time and money to raise 
the $35 million that has been raised to date. While I commend these 
people, however, I believe their noble efforts should never have been 
necessary in raising this money. The U.S. Capitol Building is the 
people's house. It is the seat of our government and the enduring 
symbol of this democracy, the greatest country in the history of the 
world. The Capitol is the seat of government for the greatest country 
in the history of the world.
  As Senators and Representatives, we have been blessed with the 
incredible fortune of calling the Capitol the place where we work. I am 
disappointed that we, as caretakers of this people's house, have 
abrogated our responsibility by begging the private sector for funds to 
help build what I believe should remain a public institution. We have 
an obligation to fully fund the construction of the visitors center. We 
should do it right away--during this Congress.
  I have conveyed this message to Senators Bennett and Durbin, the 
chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Legislative Branch 
Appropriations, as well as to the full committee chairman, Senator 
Stevens, and the ranking member, Senator Byrd.
  I ask unanimous consent that the letter I have written to these 
Senators be printed in the Record following my remarks. I also ask 
unanimous consent that the article in Monday's edition of the Roll Call 
newspaper to which I referred be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (See Exhibits 1 and 2.)
  Mr. REID. I intend to continue my efforts to ensure that we provide 
the necessary funds as quickly as possible to prevent construction 
delays in the Capitol visitors center. It is important that we do this. 
It is important to this country. It is important to this institution. 
It is important to the people we serve.

                               Exhibit 1


                                                  U.S. Senate,

                                Washington, DC, February 14, 2001.
     Hon. Robert Bennett,
     Chairman, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch Appropriations, 
         U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Richard Durbin,
     Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch 
         Appropriations, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman and Senator Durbin: I would like to 
     express my serious concern and disappointment with recent 
     reports that construction of the much needed Capitol Visitors 
     Center may fall even further behind schedule. This would be 
     an unfortunate development that we must prevent as quickly as 
     possible.
       In July 1998, following the murders of Officer Jacob 
     Chestnut and Detective John Gibson, many Members of the House 
     of Representatives and the Senate, including me, publicly 
     recognized the sacrifices made by these two fine men. Many of 
     us also renewed our call for the construction of a Capitol 
     Visitors Center. The proposed Visitors Center would improve 
     security and provide an indoor facility for visitors to stand 
     in line, and would also include a gift shop, rest rooms and a 
     cafeteria.
       To date, Congress has authorized and appropriated $100 
     million for the construction of the Capitol Visitors Center. 
     At a cost of approximately $265 million, however, that amount 
     fell far short of the funds needed. As you know, following a 
     series of delays caused by six different congressional 
     committees exercising their jurisdiction over the project, it 
     was decided that $65 million would be raised by the U.S. Mint 
     through the sale of commemorative coins, with the additional 
     $100 million raised by the Fund for the Capitol Visitors 
     Center through private donations.
       While I commend those donors and all who have generously 
     contributed their time and money to raise private funds for 
     the construction of the Capitol Visitors Center, I believe 
     that their noble efforts should never have been necessary. 
     The United States Capitol Building is the People's House. It 
     is the seat of our government and the enduring symbol of our 
     democracy. As Senators and Representatives, we have been 
     blessed with the incredible fortune of calling the Capitol 
     our place of employment. I am extremely disappointed that we, 
     as caretakers of the People's House, have abrogated our 
     responsibilities by begging the private sector for funds to 
     help build what I believe is, and should remain, a public 
     institution.
       We have an obligation to fully fund the construction of the 
     Capitol Visitors Center. As a Member of the Senate 
     Appropriations Committee, I intend to continue my efforts to 
     ensure that we provide the necessary funds, as quickly as 
     possible, to prevent construction from falling even further 
     behind schedule.
       My best wishes to you,
           Sincerely,
                                                       Harry Reid,
                                                     U.S. Senator.

                               Exhibit 2

                    [From Roll Call, Feb. 12, 2001]

            Visitors Center Funds ``Lagging,'' Officials Say


              $65 million short of goal with clock ticking

                       (By Lauren W. Whittington)

       Amid concern that private fundraising efforts for the 
     Capitol visitors center are ``lagging,'' some top officials 
     associated with the project have begun looking into other 
     funding options in order to keep it from falling behind 
     schedule.
       The Fund for the Capitol Visitors Center, a non-profit 
     organization established by the Pew Charitable Trusts, has 
     raised $35 million in private gifts thus far. That leaves it 
     $65 million short of the $100 million it needs to raise by 
     the end of the year.
       ``I think we've been aware now for a while that the 
     fundraising [aspect] is lagging, and we have been thinking 
     about different options,'' said an aide to one member of the 
     Capitol Preservation Commission, the entity charged with 
     overseeing the visitors center.
       While the aide declined to discuss timeliness and what 
     those specific options might be, the staffer said that using 
     more taxpayers funds--a controversial idea--to supplement the 
     project is ``certainly an option'' that is being discussed.
       After two Capitol Police officers were shot and killed in 
     the Capitol in July 1998, Congress appropriated $100 million 
     in taxpayer funds for the visitors center with the idea that 
     the funds would be matched by private donations.
       Construction on the visitors center is set to begin in 
     January 2002, and under federal law all funds used for the 
     project must be collected before the first shovel goes into 
     the ground.
       Senior Congressional officials involved in the project are 
     privately expressing concern that the money may not come soon 
     enough.
       ``The Capitol is in desperate need of this visitors center, 
     so we want it to stay on track, and we need to have the money 
     by December 2001 for construction to begin on time,'' one CPC 
     staffer said on the condition of anonymity. ``I think that 
     everybody's dedicated to figuring out a way to keep it moving 
     forward.''
       After kicking off its campaign in April 2000 with an 
     initial $35 million in pledged donations, including $10 
     million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the fund 
     has not publicly announced any further donations or 
     fundraising totals.
       ``I think this really has been a much more difficult task 
     than they thought it would be,'' said the aide to a CPC 
     member. ``I do think they were very optimistic about what 
     they could raise and it wasn't really reality.''
       The first major addition to the Capitol since 1859, the 
     visitors center is slated to cost $265 million and be 
     completed by January 2005--just in time for the next 
     presidential inauguration.
       The price tag could increase by as much as $10 million if 
     CPC members approve construction of a proposed tunnel that 
     would connect the center with the Library of Congress.
       Thus far, fundraising concerns have not affected the 
     project's estimated start date, but that could change if 
     funds are not collected by year's end.
       ``If we had to wait for the fundraising, potentially, yeah, 
     it would need to be moved back, but I don't think that's in 
     anybody's head right now,'' the CPC member's aide said. ``I 
     think it's too soon to be talking about that.''
       Former Rep. Vic Fazio (D-Calif.), who sits on the fund's 
     board of directors, said the organization has donations ``in 
     the pipeline,'' even though they are unable to publicly 
     announce them.
       ``How much people will decide to give, if they decide to 
     give, is something that's still being discussed,'' said 
     Fazio, who championed the project when he was in the House. 
     ``Nobody could have predicted, and we still couldn't tell you 
     for sure how much money could be raised for such a purpose.''
       Maria Titelman, president of the fund, said the 
     organization is raising money, although she too was unable to 
     release any estimates or talk publicly about possible 
     donations.

[[Page S1374]]

       ``I think that we're very excited about where we're 
     going,'' Titelman said. ``We're raising money as quickly as 
     we can on an accelerated schedule. We'll get to our $100 
     million as soon as possible.''
       The bulk of the remaining $65 million will be raised 
     through the sale of commemorative coins. Funds raised from 
     the sale of two bicentennial coins in the late 1980s have now 
     reached $30 million, and the CPC expects to make another $5 
     million to $10 million from the sale of two coins set to 
     be released by the U.S. Mint this spring.
       For their part, Members and key staffers on both sides of 
     the aisle remain committed to the project.
       ``The entire leadership and CPC remain very committed to 
     this and very enthusiastic about it,'' said Ted Van Der Meid, 
     an aide to Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.).
       Van Der Meid also noted that last week's shooting incident 
     at the White House ``reaffirms one of the main purposes for 
     the visitors center.''
       To assist with their efforts, the fund has hired outside 
     fundraising consultants Wyatt Stewart & Associates and The 
     Bonner Group. Also advising the fund is Steven Briganti, 
     president and CEO of the foundation that funded the 
     restoration and preservation of the Statue of Liberty and 
     Ellis Island.
       The fund's board of directors will hold its next meeting 
     March 8, at which time it may have a better idea of monetary 
     commitments from corporations.
       ``It's premature to make any statement about what we will 
     be able to accomplish because there are a number of things 
     being considered right now by a number of foundations,'' 
     Fazio said. ``Whether or not we can get to the original goal, 
     I think, remains to be seen. It's not going to be an easy 
     task to do that.''
       If the fund is not able to reach its initial goal, Fazio 
     said, it will rely on more public money.
       ``I have not objected to the effort to raise private funds, 
     and I've been part of that effort, but I certainly would hope 
     that if we are only so successful at that, that we would then 
     fall back on additional appropriations to make it happen,'' 
     Fazio said. ``The most important thing is it not be something 
     that is delayed or underdone.''
       Former Sen. Dale Bumpers (D-Ark.), also a member of the 
     board, said he has always favored Congress appropriating the 
     funds needed to build the center.
       ``So far as this mixing of private and public money, I 
     never have much liked that,'' Bumpers said in an interview 
     last week. ``I thought if it was a good idea, we ought to 
     fund it with public funds.''
       Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.), co-chairman of the CPC, said 
     in a prepared statement, ``At this time I feel that it would 
     be premature to make any final decisions regarding the 
     appropriation of additional funds for the Capitol visitors 
     center. However, I recognize that because of the importance 
     of this project, it is essential that we keep all of our 
     options open.''
       Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah), chairman of the Appropriations 
     subcommittee on the legislative branch and a member of the 
     CPC, said he would consider appropriating more money for the 
     project if it was needed.
       ``I haven't given any thought to what happens if [the 
     current fundraising framework] won't work,'' Bennett said. 
     ``But if it becomes clear that it won't work, then I would 
     take a look at an additional appropriation.''
       However, Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), a CPC member and one of 
     the most vocal supporters of the visitors center to date, 
     said he is against appropriating more taxpayer money.
       ``I don't think we need any more public money and 
     particularly at this stage,'' Mica said. ``At some point if 
     we have to beef up the private fundraising efforts or help 
     assist them in any way, there's plenty of muscle power that 
     can raise that money, particularly Members who unabashedly 
     raised hundreds of millions for campaign efforts.''
       Outside of revisiting the public funding debate, the CPC 
     can also explore other private fundraising options because 
     its agreement with the fund is not exclusive. The CPC could 
     begin to accept private donations directly or it could set up 
     another organization to raise private money for the project.
       One thing that has been a roadblock for the fund's efforts 
     thus far is the issue of public recognition.
       From the outset, most Members of Congress have been 
     adamantly opposed to the idea of naming portions of the 
     visitors center after corporate sponsors, and the leadership 
     and the fund have differed on the ways in which corporations 
     can receive public recognition for the donations.
       ``This is too important a part of our history,'' Bumpers 
     said. ``We're not going to name this the MCI visitors center 
     or any of those things.''

  Mr. REID. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________