[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 163 (Thursday, November 29, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2173-E2174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           NEW YORK CITY CONGRESSIONAL SESSION GAINS MOMENTUM

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                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 29, 2001

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with you an article 
that appeared in the Hill newspaper on Wednesday, November 28, 2001. 
This news story is concerning H. Con. Res. 249, a resolution that I 
recently introduced, which provides for a joint session of Congress to 
be held in New York City early next year. I am pleased to have this 
opportunity to share this story with my colleagues.

                     [From the Hill, Nov. 28, 2001]

                NYC Congressional Session Gains Momentum

                           (By Kerry Kantin)

       Despite the logistic hurdles that confront the notion of 
     convening a session of Congress outside of Washington, D.C., 
     momentum is building behind the movement to conduct a 
     symbolic, one-day joint session in New York City.
       A resolution introduced last month has already captured the 
     bipartisan support of 165 House members. The House effort is 
     spearheaded by New York State delegation Democratic chairman 
     Rep. Charlie Rangel, who is from Manhattan.
       Rangel, working with New York State GOP delegation dean. 
     Rep. Ben Gilman, has been actively corralling support from 
     both his Democratic and Republican colleagues.
       ``It would be historic. It would be a way of symbolizing 
     the strike we took for the nation and their appreciation for 
     it,'' said the 15-term Rangel in a phone interview last week. 
     ``Any city or any town or village know the Congress is with 
     them, like they're with New York City.''
       Rangel acknowledged that there are several logistical 
     obstacles, including where the session would be held and 
     security issues, to iron out, but said that should not get in 
     the way of members' support.
       ``No one's turning us down,'' Rangel added. ``I know I can 
     get my signatures next week.''
       Rangel and Gilman have written Dear Colleague letters, 
     asking their support for the measure.
       ``We are equally impressed by our colleagues' support of a 
     symbolic--but powerful--gesture to convene the Congress in 
     New York for one day,'' write Rangel and Gilman in a Nov. 14 
     letter. ``We believe that such a session in the city where 
     Congress first convened would be a powerful and meaningful 
     expression of support to New York.''
       The session would also provide an opportunity for all 
     lawmakers to meet with New Yorkers, the letter adds.
       The movement to bring Congress to the Big Apple was 
     catalyzed on the editorial page of the Sept. 25 New York 
     Daily News. The New York tabloid wrote an editorial urging a 
     joint session of Congress in New York City, even if it is 
     only for one day.
       Rangel quickly picked up the cause and introduced a 
     resolution on Oct. 12; New York Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton 
     (D) and Charles Schumer (D), followed suit, introducing a 
     companion resolution Nov. 15.
       ``We're working actively to see that it happens,'' said 
     Schumer, of his and Clinton's efforts. ``It would be a shot 
     in the arm for New York.''
       In the House, the resolution has captured the support of 53 
     Republicans and 112 Democrats, ranging from Empire State 
     liberals like Rep. Jerrold Nadler to Midwestern conservatives 
     like Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Don Manzullo (R-Ill.). The entire 
     31-member New York State delegation has signed on, as well as 
     several other members from the Northeast.
       With the exception of retiring House Minority Whip David 
     Bonior (Mich), the entire Democratic leadership has pledged 
     its support for the resolution, but no one from the House GOP 
     leadership. It has, however, received the support of other 
     influential Republicans, including Appropriations Committee 
     Chairman Bill Young (Fla.) and Energy and Commerce Committee 
     Chairman Billy Tauzin (La.).
       ``Everyone has been extremely receptive,'' Rangel said. 
     ``But when we get to the logistics, I hope they'll love me as 
     much in the springtime as they do in the fall.''
       Other members are wary to sign on until finding out more 
     details.
       ``I saw the note from Charlie [Rangel], but Gosh, it's an 
     interesting concept, but I don't know if I'm for it or 
     against it,'' said House Republican Conference Chairman Rep. 
     J.C. Watts (R-Okla.).
       ``I do find it quite intriguing we would consider something 
     like that,'' he added. ``I'm sure we would look at the pros 
     and cons and give it a fair hearing. It seems to be a massive 
     undertaking to move the mechanics of Congress to another 
     location.''
       While his primary focus is gaining as many signatures as he 
     can, Rangel said he is looking into about six sites. He added 
     that he is working with New York City Mayor-elect Michael 
     Bloomberg (R) and other city leaders, like Bill Ruden, the 
     chairman of the Association for a Better New York.
       Ed Skyler, a spokesman for the Bloomberg Transition Team, 
     said the mayor-elect ``strongly supports'' the resolution. He 
     added that Bloomberg discussed the issue during his trip to 
     Washington earlier this month.
       Those in support of the resolution say the logistics can be 
     hammered out at a later time.
       ``A lot of those things would need to be worked out,'' 
     acknowledged Schumer, adding that lawmakers could not work 
     out many of

[[Page E2174]]

     the fine details themselves and would need to leave issues, 
     like security, up to other agencies, including the sergeants 
     at arms.
       ``This is an act of showing congressional support for New 
     York,'' said Kori Bernards, a spokeswoman for House Minority 
     Leader Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.), who supports the resolution.

     

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