[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1105-E1106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 15, 2010

  Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, on June 26, 2010, the Galveston Historical 
Foundation will celebrate its acquisition of the historic 1861 U.S. 
Custom House. I was pleased to help make this possible by sponsoring 
legislation, H.R. 2121, which directed the General Services 
Administration (GSA) to sell the Custom House to the Galveston 
Historical Foundation. H.R. 2121 passed the House by voice vote on 
September 9, 2009. It is therefore a great pleasure to extend my 
congratulations to the Galveston Historical Foundation for acquiring 
the U.S. Custom House.
  The U.S. Custom House is the oldest non-military federal building in 
Galveston. The two-story structure was built in 1861 and has served 
many important historical functions, including housing the ceremony 
that officially ended the Civil War in Galveston. In 1917, construction 
began on a federal courtroom located on the second floor of the U.S. 
Custom House. In 1970, the house was listed on the National Register of 
Historic Places, and in 1974 it was commemorated as a Historic Custom 
House by the U.S. Customs Service.
  In 1998, the Galveston Historical Foundation entered into a public-
private partnership with the Federal Government that allowed the 
Galveston Historical Foundation to lease the

[[Page E1106]]

building from the GSA. Under this agreement, the Galveston Historical 
Foundation took responsibility for performing renovations on the U.S. 
Custom House. In 2008, the house was inundated with six feet of flood 
waters from Hurricane Ike. Fortunately, the Galveston Historical 
Foundation has been able to complete restoration of the first floor of 
the Custom House earlier this year.
  Madam Speaker, by owning as opposed to leasing, the Galveston 
Historical Foundation will be able to improve this historical structure 
for future generations of Texans. It is difficult to think of a more 
appropriate owner for the U.S. Custom House than the Galveston 
Historical Foundation. Founded in 1954, the Galveston Historical 
Foundation is one of the Nation's largest local preservation 
organizations. Over the last 56 years, this foundation has expanded its 
mission to encompass community redevelopment, public education, 
historic preservation advocacy, maritime preservation and stewardship 
of historic properties. Today, the Galveston Historical Foundation has 
over 2,000 members representing individuals, families, and businesses 
across Texas, the U.S., and around the world.
  The Galveston Historical Foundation's accomplishments include the 
redevelopment of The Strand; the rescue and restoration of the 1877 
iron barque the ELISSA; the revitalization of historic residential 
neighborhoods and creation of historic districts; and the conception of 
signature events including Dickens on The Strand and the Galveston 
Historic Homes Tour.
  The Galveston Historical Foundation has received numerous awards and 
honors. For example, they have twice received the National Trust for 
Historic Preservation's prestigious Honor Award. In 1991, the Galveston 
Historical Foundation was the first recipient of the Governor's Award 
for Excellence in Historic Preservation, and in 1995, received the 
National Trust's first ever award for organizational excellence. The 
American Institute of Architects has presented the foundation a 
Citation of Honor for its ongoing contribution to urban design and the 
quality of life in Galveston. In addition, the Association for 
Preservation Technology International honored the Galveston Historical 
Foundation with a Presidential Citation in 2004.
  In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I once again congratulate the Galveston 
Historical Foundation for acquiring the U.S. Custom House, and I extend 
my thanks to the Galveston Historical Foundation for all they do to 
preserve Galveston's rich heritage.

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