[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 2, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H3642-H3643]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       PROVIDING FOR CONVEYANCE OF REAL PROPERTY IN RAVENNA, OHIO

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3908) to provide for the conveyance of the real property 
located at 1081 West Main Street in Ravenna, Ohio.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3908

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

     SECTION 1. LAND CONVEYANCE.

       The Secretary of Labor shall convey, without charge or 
     consideration, to Portage County, Ohio, all right, title, and 
     interest of the United States (including all Federal equity) 
     in and to the parcel of real property located at 1081 West 
     Main Street in Ravenna, Ohio, to the extent such right, 
     title, or interest was acquired through grants to the State 
     of Ohio under title III of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
     501 et seq.) or the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49 et seq.) 
     or through funds distributed to the State of Ohio under 
     section 903 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1103).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. McKeon) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon).


                             General Leave

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
to include extraneous material on the bill H.R. 3908.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3908, a bill sponsored 
by my good friend from across the aisle, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
Ryan), to convey all Federal rights to a property in Ravenna, Ohio, to 
Portage County, Ohio.
  This particular building has been used as an employment services 
office by the State of Ohio since its construction in 1972. However, as 
the State of Ohio has transitioned to locally operated one-stop career 
centers, as authorized under the Workforce Investment Act, the State no 
longer needs this separate facility.
  As envisioned under the Workforce Investment Act, the State now 
provides employment services through the one-stop career centers as one 
of numerous partner programs making reemployment and training services 
available through this seamless delivery system.
  On an interim basis, Portage County, located in northeast Ohio, has 
been using the facility rent free for its one-stop career center. 
However, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which still 
controls the building, does not want to be a permanent landlord. The 
State should not shoulder the responsibility of maintaining the 
building, as the State represents one of several tenants offering 
programs at the one-stop center.
  While the State has the option to sell the building under a sealed-
bid process, the county cannot afford to pay the appraised value of 
$184,000. Therefore, the State desires to transfer the property to 
Portage County. This cannot be done without Federal legislation 
relinquishing Federal rights to the building. The Federal Government 
holds just over 88 percent of the equity in the property, since it was 
acquired with Federal funds.
  Passage of this bill should result in improved services to job 
seekers in the local area served by the one-stop center. Now the local 
workforce investment board and county commissioners will be free to 
focus solely on job counseling, workforce preparation, and training for 
individuals seeking new or better jobs. In addition, they will continue 
to serve businesses seeking qualified employees.

                              {time}  1400

  During this time of sustained job growth in our growing economy, we 
need to ensure that local workforce investment areas are ready to 
provide needed assistance. By finalizing the location of the county's 
one-stop center, H.R. 3908 will do just that.
  I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan) for bringing this bill to 
the floor, and I encourage my colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. 
McKeon). This is truly a bipartisan effort, and I appreciate all of the 
help we have received. This is a county in my district which has been 
low on resources, as many counties have been, not only in the State of 
Ohio but across the country. There has been a reduction in money from 
the State level to the local county level, and this is an opportunity 
for the Federal Government to step in and help a community that needs 
our assistance.
  I would like to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) who 
has been very helpful, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner), and the 
gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller), the ranking member. I 
would also like

[[Page H3643]]

to thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman) and Governor Bob Taft 
and the Director of the Department of Job and Family Services, Tom 
Hayes, who has been extremely patient through this process, as well as 
the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), and the local county 
commissioners in Portage County, Commissioners Smiles, Keiper and 
Frederick, and the State Senator, Kim Zurz, and the State 
Representative, Kathleen Chandler.
  This was truly a bipartisan effort, an effort to help a local 
community that needs help. As the gentleman from California (Mr. 
McKeon) said, about 88 percent is being picked up, and that will assist 
the local community.
  With that, I would like to again thank the gentleman for his help. I 
appreciate the Chair of the committee as well and all of the staff who 
have been tremendous. The staff of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
LaTourette) and the staff of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Portman) and 
the staff of the committee has been great, and I thank them for all 
their help.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I again would like to commend the gentleman from Ohio 
(Mr. Ryan) for representing his district and taking care of this 
important situation. I think it will be very good to extend the work 
services provided through the one-stop shop to be able to really carry 
out the purpose of that Workforce Investment Act, to reach out and help 
people in these tough times. I think they are doing a good job, and I 
commend them for the job they are doing.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Quinn). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3908.
  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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