[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.
____________________