[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE TO 
   SELL OR EXCHANGE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION 
                    PROPERTY LOCATED IN NORFOLK, VA

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 12, 2008

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce 
legislation that would authorize the Secretary of Commerce to sell or 
exchange National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration property to/
with the city of Norfolk, Virginia.
  Over the last decade, the city of Norfolk has experienced tremendous 
economic growth. Downtown Norfolk has reemerged as the urban center of 
the Hampton Roads region through revitalization and new commercial and 
residential development. For several decades, NOAA has been an 
important Federal partner in downtown Norfolk's development. NOAA's 
Atlantic Marine Operations Center and NOAA's Chesapeake Bay office are 
both located in downtown Norfolk.
  The bill that I am introducing today, along with my colleague 
Congresswoman Thelma Drake, would authorize the Secretary of Commerce 
to sell or exchange a small piece of underutilized NOAA property 
located at 538 Front Street in Norfolk, consisting of 3.78 acres, to 
the city of Norfolk. This land sale would allow Norfolk to continue its 
tremendous economic growth by developing the land for commercial and 
residential purposes. At the same time, the bill clearly states that 
NOAA may only sell or exchange the property if the Secretary of 
Commerce determines that the conveyance would be in the best interest 
of the Federal government. The bill does not delineate or support any 
particular agreement or contract; the details of any future agreement 
between NOAA and the city of Norfolk would have to be worked out. This 
legislation would simply permit that process to get started. In 
addition, any sale or exchange would have to have little to no impact 
on Federal revenue or the deficit. The bill requires that the property 
be sold at a value that is not less than the fair market value as 
determined by the Federal government. Furthermore, it authorizes NOAA 
to retain any proceeds from the sale or exchange.
  Madam Speaker, I hope that this bill will be considered by the full 
House of Representatives soon. I believe this bipartisan, non-
controversial legislation protects both the interests of the Federal 
government and the citizens of Norfolk. I urge my colleagues to support 
this measure when it comes before the full House.

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