[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 16, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE NEW DONALD BREN HALL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, 
                             SANTA BARBARA

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                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 16, 2002

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to recognize one of the ``greenest'' commercial buildings in the 
Nation, Donald Bren Hall. This important structure houses the Donald 
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management at the University of 
Southern California, Santa Barbara and is a living laboratory for 
sustainable green building practices and materials.
  Donald Bren Hall incorporates all of the latest elements of 
sustainable design, including solar photovoltaic panels that capture 
the sunlight to provide almost 10 percent of the building's 
electricity, natural air cooling using ocean breezes and energy-
efficient lamps and ballasts, including motion and ambient light 
sensors to control lighting levels.
  Recyclable materials are used throughout the building, including 
reclaimed carpets, rubber flooring made from recycled tires, ceiling 
tiles made from cornstarch and recycled paper and roofing materials 
that insulate and reduce energy consumption. Windows have a device that 
automatically shuts off the room's heating system when opened and 
reclaimed water is used for irrigation. The building will use 27 to 40 
percent less electricity than a conventional structure.
  The new Donald Bren Hall will achieve the Platinum rating from the 
U.S. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy and Environmental 
Design--or LEED--which is the highest level of distinction given to a 
capital project that meets or exceeds the strictest requirements of the 
LEED Green Building Rating System.
  Mr. Speaker, clearly this building is a role model not only for UCSB, 
but also for other university campuses throughout the state and 
country. This building stands as a testament to what is possible when 
engineers, suppliers and architects work together to achieve a 
practical, environmentally-friendly balance between a structure's 
comfort and its functionality. They have set the bar very high, and I 
hope this building's influence extends beyond the university setting 
and into the realm of business and commercial development.
  On Friday, April 19, 2002 Donald Bren Hall will be officially 
welcomed to the Santa Barbara community, Mr. Speaker, I hope my 
colleagues will join me today in congratulating the University of 
California, Santa Barbara for its vision and commitment to working with 
and on the behalf of our precious environment

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