[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 175 (Monday, December 8, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCTION OF FEDERAL DETENTION CENTER LEGISLATION

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                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 8, 2003

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I have introduced this legislation 
today to stop the Federal Detention facility from being built in 
Dundalk, Maryland.
  This past month the Office of Federal Detention Trustees (OFDT) in 
the Department of Justice solicited proposals for a new detention 
facility for the Baltimore-Washington region. One of the proposed sites 
was in Dundalk, Maryland. I was concerned that this office took action 
without consulting the community. OFDT solicited proposals without 
bringing the communities into the process. OFDT took action without the 
input of Federal, State, and local officials. This is wrong.
  The Dundalk community is undergoing revitalization efforts, and even 
proposing such a facility might have cooled businesses and new 
residential interest in this community. As the former Baltimore County 
Executive, my administration spent over $130 million to revitalize the 
area. It is very important to me that we help our older communities. It 
is important that we allow these communities that have generations of 
families living there to revitalize and attract new jobs and new 
businesses.
  Also, the eastern part of Baltimore County was hit hard by Hurricane 
Isabel. It has caused extensive damage and many of the residents and 
businesses are still struggling to get on their feet. Hurricane Isabel 
damage estimates for Maryland alone are valued at six million dollars. 
We must continue to work to help this area.
  The Maryland Congressional delegation has worked tirelessly to stop 
the detention center, and I remain committed to its defeat. We worked 
together to insert language into the FY' 04 Omnibus appropriations to 
stop this facility. I want to thank Senator Mikulski and Democratic 
Whip Steny Hoyer for all their efforts. We knew the actions of OFDT 
would do more harm to our community and we fought to stop it.
  This legislation takes an additional strengthening step to ensure 
that this facility and no new detention center or prison is built in my 
district. This legislation prohibits the OFDT from building or 
proposing any sites and it prohibits the Attorney General from building 
a detention center or prison in Dundalk.
  In the past few months this area has experienced major problems. They 
saw thousands of Marylanders lose their jobs with the restructuring at 
ISG. They saw severe damage from Hurricane Isabel. This prison would be 
one more concern for the community. It is important to allow this area 
to revitalize and to grow. I remain committed to fighting for Dundalk 
and for my fellow Marylanders.

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