[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 73 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E948]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              IN CELEBRATION OF FLOOD BUILDING CENTENNIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize the 100th 
Anniversary of the Flood Building of San Francisco and to have the 
opportunity to express my appreciation to the Flood family for their 
immeasurable contributions to the City of San Francisco over four 
generations.
  It was a great pleasure to attend the Flood Building Centennial 
Celebration on April 16 and to celebrate with members of the Flood 
family. I particularly want to thank Jim Flood and Judy Wilbur for 
carrying on the outstanding traditions of their distinguished family.
  The Flood Building was built by James L. Flood in 1904 as a tribute 
to his father, James Clair Flood. Architect Albert Pissis, a master of 
Beaux-Arts classicism, designed the Classic Revival structure, along 
with many other great works throughout San Francisco. At the time it 
was built, the 12-story Flood Building was the largest building in San 
Francisco.
  The building's history is one of survival. It remained standing after 
both the 1906 and 1989 earthquakes that devastated San Francisco. In 
1950, it was scheduled to be destroyed and replaced by a three-story 
modern structure, but the building was saved at the last minute when 
the Federal government seized it through the right of eminent domain. 
At the time, Washington was in desperate need of a San Francisco-based 
office to help manage the Korean War, and the Flood Building offered an 
ideal solution. The Federal government returned the building to the 
Flood family in 1953.
  Today, Jim Flood--James Clair Flood II, named after his great 
grandfather--owns, manages, and has his office in the building, making 
it San Francisco's oldest family-owned commercial building. The Flood 
Building has flourished under his management, undergoing a $15 million 
renovation to restore the building to its original style. 
Architecturally, it is the most significant commercial building in San 
Francisco, and it was named a city landmark in 1982.
  I join the Flood family and so many of my constituents in celebrating 
the 100th anniversary of this San Francisco treasure.

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