[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 12, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H3003-H3004]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  LIVABLE COMMUNITIES ON CAPITOL HILL

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I came to Congress to promote more 
livable communities, the Federal Government being a better partner to 
make our families safe, healthy and economically secure. An important 
part of making those communities livable is making sure that people 
have the choices about where they want to live, work, and how they 
travel.
  A recent study highlighted Washington, D.C. as the third most 
congested city in America for traffic congestion. Rush hour now is up 
to 6 hours or more out of the day.
  To bring it down closer to home in our little community on Capitol 
Hill, we have problems with congestion, pollution and parking 
shortages. There are over 6,000 parking spaces reserved for House 
employees alone, which cost the taxpayer more than $1,500 a year per 
employee. With the temporary closing of the Cannon Building parking 
garage, now more than ever parking is at a premium on Capitol Hill.
  Three years ago, with the help of the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. 
Morella), the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) and Speaker Gingrich, 
we were able to change the policy so that we did not just give 
unlimited free parking to House employees and no alternative, but 
finally help give them a choice by providing a modest $21 Metro transit 
benefit for those offices that wish to provide it for their employees.
  Still, the House lags far behind employers in the private sector and 
other Federal agencies in providing and promoting for transit benefits. 
As a result of work that we were able to do with the last 
administration, all Federal employees except our own here in the 
Washington, D.C. metropolitan area get at least $65 a month to promote 
transit. Soon, the amount of the transit benefit allowed by law will be 
increased to $100 a month. But the House should not always be playing 
catch-up. Even our Senate colleagues across the way provide $44 a month 
for their employees.
  Recently, we have submitted over three dozen of our colleagues' 
signatures to the Committee on House Administration asking them to 
allow those offices that want to provide this transit benefit the full 
$65 allowed under law.
  What better way for the House to be a part of the solution of saving 
energy, protecting the air, fighting against congestion than by 
expanding the transit benefit the way that we are asking the rest of 
America to do it.
  It is also appropriate, I think, on this very muggy day to consider 
the role of our employees that actually walk or bike or run to work. 
There are only two facilities on all of Capitol Hill for over 6,000 
employees to be able to shower at work when we close the facilities in 
the O'Neill Building.
  Now, several years ago, we were able to work with the Subcommittee on 
Legislative Branch and the House Superintendent to be able to add some 
showers and lockers to the Rayburn Building. Now it is time for the 
committee to consider again adding more facilities, at least to avoid 
reducing the amount for our employees that are trying to do the right 
thing.
  Not only does it help protect the environment, but we know that daily 
physical activity for adults is now at an all-time low. Forty percent 
of the adult population does not engage in leisure time physical 
activity. We know that moderate amounts of exercise can significantly 
promote the health and wellness as well as enhancing the productivity 
of our employees.
  I would strongly suggest that my colleagues join me in urging the 
Committee on House Administration for us to at least not be left behind 
in promoting transit use of our employees and be able to provide 
adequate shower and locker facilities for our employees that are trying 
to do the right thing and promote physical activity and protect the 
environment.
  It is important that we work on developing livable communities, not 
just in our districts, but for the men and women who work here on 
Capitol Hill. The environment and our employees deserve our best 
efforts.

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