[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 166 (Monday, November 17, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H11177-H11179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2003

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill

[[Page H11178]]

(H.R. 3198) to amend the John F. Kennedy Center Act to authorize 
appropriations for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 
and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3198

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``John F. Kennedy Center 
     Reauthorization Act of 2003''.

     SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 13 of the John F. Kennedy Center Act (20 U.S.C. 
     76r) is amended by striking subsections (a) and (b) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(a) Maintenance, Repair, and Security.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to the Board to carry out 
     section 4(a)(1)(H)--
       ``(1) $17,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; and
       ``(2) $18,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 and 2006.
       ``(b) Capital Projects.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Board to carry out subparagraphs (F) and 
     (G) of section 4(a)(1)--
       ``(1) $16,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; and
       ``(2) $18,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 and 
     2006.''.

     SEC. 3. JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER PLAZA.

       (a) Responsibilities of the Secretary.--Section 12(b) of 
     the John F. Kennedy Center Act (20 U.S.C. 76q-1(b)) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(6) Project team.--
       ``(A) Establishment.--To further construction of the 
     Project, the Secretary shall establish a Project Team.
       ``(B) Membership.--The Protect Team shall be composed of 
     the following members:
       ``(i) The Secretary (or the Secretary's designee).
       ``(ii) The Administrator of General Services (or the 
     Administrator's designee).
       ``(iii) The Chairman of the Board (or the Chairman's 
     designee).
       ``(iv) Such other individuals as the Secretary considers 
     appropriate.
       ``(C) Project director.--The Project Team shall have a 
     Project Director who shall be appointed by the Secretary, in 
     consultation with the Administrator of General Services and 
     the Chairman of the Board. The Project Director shall report 
     directly to the Project Team.''.
       (b) Responsibilities of the Board.--
       (1) In general.--Section 12(c)(1) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 
     76q-1(c)(1)) is amended by inserting ``, in consultation with 
     the Project Team,'' after ``The Board''.
       (2) Construction of buildings.--Section 12(c)(3) of such 
     Act (20 U.S.C. 76q-1(c)(3)) is amended by inserting ``, in 
     consultation with the Project Team,'' after ``The Board''.
       (3) Approval by project team.--Section 12(c) of such Act 
     (20 U.S.C. 76q-1(c)) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(5) Approval by project team.--Notwithstanding section 
     5(e), any decision by the Board that will significantly 
     affect the scope, cost, schedule, or engineering feasibility 
     of any element of the Project, other than buildings to be 
     constructed on the Plaza, shall be subject to the approval of 
     the Project Team.''.
       (c) GAO Review.--Section 12 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 76q-1) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(g) GAO Review.--
       ``(1) In general.--Until completion of the Project, the 
     Comptroller General shall review the management and oversight 
     of construction of the Project by the Board and report 
     periodically on the results of the review to the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public 
     Works of the Senate.
       ``(2) Objectives.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
     Comptroller General shall assess the progress made by the 
     Board in achieving each of the following objectives:
       ``(A) Development and implementation of adequate policies 
     and procedures to guide the planning and management of the 
     Project.
       ``(B) Receipt of timely construction data on schedules and 
     costs related to the Project.
       ``(C) Improvement of human capital resources and expertise 
     in managing construction of the Project.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Nevada (Mr. Porter) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter).
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3198 reauthorizes the John F. Kennedy Center for 
the Performing Arts for 3 years, authorizing funding for its capital 
repair and maintenance, allows for the GAO review of ongoing 
construction projects, and creates a new mechanism to ensure effective 
project oversight.
  This bill is the product of a thorough legislative process. The 
subcommittee held an oversight hearing that included the GAO and the 
Kennedy Center, reviewed their comprehensive building plan and capital 
program, and discussed options for improving upon their programs. This 
process resulted in the bipartisan legislation we are bringing to the 
floor this afternoon.
  I would like to recognize and congratulate the subcommittee chairman, 
the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), and the ranking member, the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), as well as full 
committee chairman, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), and the 
ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), for their 
hard work in developing this legislation.
  Since its founding, the Kennedy Center has become one of the world's 
premier entertainment venues, featuring award-winning theater, opera, 
and symphony performances. The funds we are authorizing today will go 
solely towards the upkeep and maintenance of the facility, for such 
repairs as elevator upgrades, handicap accessibility, enhanced fire and 
life safety equipment, and improved security systems. These repairs are 
in line with a comprehensive building plan maintained by the Kennedy 
Center and created at the direction of Congress in 1994. This 
legislation also incorporates several provisions that ensure effective 
project oversight.
  It is no secret that there are Federal construction projects that 
have gone beyond their original budget, beyond schedule, and well 
beyond their original scope. Oftentimes it is the lack of adequate 
project management and oversight that allow this type of growth. That 
was the finding of a GAO report requested by the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure on the Kennedy Center's garage 
expansion project.
  The provision in this bill, including the creation of a project team, 
the requirement of a project director, and enhanced oversight by the 
GAO, should prevent such problems as the Kennedy Center goes forward 
with the construction of a new plaza and two new buildings. However, 
this reauthorization does not include any money for the plaza project. 
All of the funding authorized in this bill will be used for the 
existing structure and its surroundings. By supporting the regular 
maintenance and upkeep of the Kennedy Center, we will ensure that the 
center will continue to be a world-class venue well into the future. I 
support this legislation and urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of H.R. 3198, a bill to 
authorize appropriations for the John F. Kennedy Center for the 
Performing Arts. Almost a decade ago, the Committee on Public Works, 
recognizing the inefficiency of years of divided responsibility for the 
operations, maintenance, and capital repairs of the Kennedy Center, 
passed H.R. 3567, which gave the board of trustees of the Kennedy 
Center centralized responsibilities for these matters.
  In an effort to prevent continued deterioration of this landmark 
structure and Presidential memorial, the board asked for and received 
authority to maintain and improve the center. Former presidents 
Wolfensohn and Wilker, along with the current president, Michael 
Kaiser, continually worked to identify and put in place a capital 
improvement program to enhance the building. They believed it was of 
the utmost importance that the Kennedy Center management have the 
responsible and accountability for the building as well as its 
performing arts and education activities.
  The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's interest then, 
as it is now, focuses on the use of appropriated funds for the capital 
improvement program and the repair and alteration of this Presidential 
memorial. To avoid the previous situation of unmet building needs and 
delayed repair, the center is now required to submit a 5-year capital 
plan to the committee. H.R. 3198 authorizes $53 million over 3 years 
for routine repair and alteration and $52 million for capital projects.
  To address improved management for the plaza project, the bill 
authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, our former colleague, 
Norman Mineta, to establish a project team and appoint a

[[Page H11179]]

project director. The president of the Kennedy Center and the 
administrator of General Services will serve on the team. The plaza 
project, when completed, will change the face of Washington in the West 
End. It is a monumental project that will not only enhance our Nation's 
Capital, but also provide safer and easier access to the center for 
patrons, visitors, and tourists. The center, under the leadership of 
Michael Kaiser, is working diligently to address general management of 
the facility as well as unmet personal needs. I support H.R. 3198 and 
urge its passage.
  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my strong 
support for H.R. 3198, ``The John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act 
of 2003.''
  The Kennedy Center serves an important role in our Nation. Not only 
is it one of the most active theaters in the world, hosting millions of 
patrons each year to its seven stages, but is also one of the most 
recognizable theater buildings.
  The legislation we are considering this afternoon, which I have 
offered with my colleagues Mr. Oberstar, Mr. LaTourette, and Ms. 
Holmes-Norton, reauthorizes the Capital Infrastructure program of the 
Kennedy Center for an additional three years. The bill also makes a 
number of important changes that will improve the management of large 
construction projects at the Kennedy Center.
  This legislation will help ensure that the Kennedy Center continues 
to have a world class facility to house world class entertainment, 
which includes everything from classical opera to cutting edge films.
  In addition to authorizing funds for maintenance, repair, and 
security as well as other capital projects, this legislation puts into 
place important tools for improved project management.
  The legislation creates a project team for the plaza project. This 
team will include the secretary of transportation, administrator of 
general services, and chairman of the board of trustees of The Kennedy 
Center. This team will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the 
plaza project through a project director, who reports to the project 
team and is appointed by the Secretary of Transportation.
  The legislation also provides for ongoing review by the General 
Accounting Office of the plaza project until its completion, with 
periodic reporting to the Congress. The GAO will be looking at the 
personnel, policies and procedures used to carry out the project.
  I support The Kennedy Center Reauthorization and encourage my 
colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 3198.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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