[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 166 (Monday, November 17, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H11179-H11180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONVEYANCE TO FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, OF EXISTING FEDERAL COURTHOUSE

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1274) to direct the Administrator of General Services to 
convey to Fresno County, California, the existing Federal courthouse in 
that county, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1274

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

     [SECTION 1. CONVEYANCE TO FRESNO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

       [On completion of a new Federal courthouse in Fresno, 
     California, the Administrator of General Services shall 
     convey to Fresno County, California, without consideration, 
     the existing Federal courthouse in that county.]

     SECTION 1. CONVEYANCE OF B.F. SISK FEDERAL BUILDING AND 
                   UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE, CALIFORNIA.

       (a) Conveyance Authorized.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, the Administrator of General Services may 
     convey to Fresno County, California, for nominal 
     consideration, all right, title, and interest of the United 
     States in and to the building and site located at 1130 O 
     Street in Fresno, California, known as the B.F. Sisk Federal 
     Building and United States Courthouse.
       (b) Timing of Conveyance.--The Administrator may make the 
     conveyance under subsection (a) only after the completion of 
     construction of a new Federal courthouse in Fresno County and 
     the relocation of the tenants in the building referred to in 
     subsection (a) to the new Federal courthouse.
       (c) Restrictions on Use.--
       (1) In general.--The deed for the conveyance under 
     subsection (a) shall include a covenant that provides that 
     the property will be used for public use purposes, and 
     specifically provides for substantial use of the property for 
     the administration of justice.
       (2) Reversion.--If the Administrator determines that the 
     property is not being used for the purposes described in 
     paragraph (1), all right, title, and interest in and to the 
     property shall revert to the United States, at the option of 
     the United States.
       (3) Expiration.--The reversionary interest of the United 
     States in the property under this subsection shall expire 20 
     years after the date of the conveyance.
       (d) Additional Terms and Conditions.--The Administrator may 
     require such additional terms and conditions in connection 
     with the conveyance under subsection (a) as the Administrator 
     considers appropriate to protect the interests of the United 
     States.
       (e) Application of Other Laws.--This section is not subject 
     to the provisions of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 11301 et seq.).

  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. 1274, introduced by the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Dooley) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich), allows 
the administrator of General Services to convey the B.F. Sisk United 
States Courthouse located in Fresno, California, to Fresno County. This 
is a worthwhile endeavor, as the GSA is currently constructing a new 
Federal courthouse in Fresno, and this legislation will ensure that the 
people of Fresno County continue to receive a judicial benefit from the 
existing Federal courthouse.
  This legislation also includes a number of provisions that will help 
protect the interests of the Federal Government. Among the provisions 
included in this legislation are the requirement that the courthouse be 
used for public purpose for at least 20 years, that the transfer not 
take place until the new courthouse is completed and occupied, and the 
conveyance may also include any additional provisions the administrator 
deems necessary to protect the interests of the government. 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 rise in strong support of H.R. 1274, as amended, a 
bill to convey a Federal courthouse in Fresno, California, to the 
County of Fresno. The bill transfers for a nominal fee an obsolete 
Federal building in Fresno, California, to the County of Fresno. The 
bill ensures that the transfer documents contain a reverter clause, as 
well as a public use clause, both of which protect Federal interests.
  I would like to thank the chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic 
Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, the gentleman 
from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), and ranking member, the gentlewoman from 
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), for their work on this 
legislation and for recognizing that outmoded Federal buildings are 
still viable and can continue to serve a public purpose. I also commend 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Dooley) for introducing this bill, 
which is a win/win for all parties involved.
  I support H.R. 1274 and urge its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Dooley).
  Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1274 
as introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) and me, 
and I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) for their work 
in advancing this piece of legislation.
  The Eastern District of California is very pleased that they have 
decided to

[[Page H11180]]

build a new Federal courthouse in the city of Fresno. The entire 
community, as well as the surrounding areas, is very pleased with this 
investment into the construction of a new courthouse which will serve 
the needs of the entire Eastern District of California.
  This legislation is also very important in that it will transfer the 
B.F. Sisk Building to the County of Fresno, with the appropriate 
stipulations that this legislation embodies, ensuring that it remains 
in public use for a considerable period of time. This also meets the 
needs of Fresno, it meets the needs of public service, and ensures that 
the taxpayers' interests are protected. I thank the committee members 
for advancing this legislation.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, 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. 1274, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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