[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 98 (Tuesday, June 11, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4021-S4022]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Ms. Butler):
S. 4489. A bill to designate the Federal building located at 50
United Nations Plaza in San Francisco, California, as the ``Senator
Dianne Feinstein Federal Building,'' and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Mr. PADILLA. Madam President, I rise to speak in support of my bill
to rename an iconic Federal building in San Francisco after my former
colleague, mentor, and dear friend, the late Senator Dianne Feinstein.
Dianne was a towering figure not just in modern California politics
but in the history of our State and our Nation. She broke barriers
throughout her career. Her leadership as the first woman
[[Page S4022]]
to serve as the mayor of San Francisco in the aftermath of the tragic
assassination of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk
showcased her unique ability to lead with grace and strength in the
face of adversity.
This bill would designate the Federal building at 50 United Nations
Plaza in San Francisco as the ``Senator Dianne Feinstein Federal
Building.'' Located just steps away from San Francisco City Hall, where
Dianne served for 18 years, the Federal building is a cornerstone of
the San Francisco Civic Center.
This Neoclassical building was completed in 1936 as part of the
city's efforts to rebuild its Civic Center following the devastation
caused by the 1906 earthquake. It received a major renovation in 2013
to upgrade building systems, restore historically significant
architecture, and redesign office workspaces. In 2017, the building was
added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, the six-story, 350,000-square-foot Federal building is home to
the General Services Administration's Region 9 headquarters as well as
Department of Education staff. The building is LEED Platinum certified,
a well-known global standard given to the most sustainable and energy-
efficient buildings. The building's renovation also received several
prestigious awards, including the National Project Achievement Award
from the Construction Management Association of America and the
Preservation Design Award from the California Preservation Foundation.
Over the past several months, I have worked to introduce bills that
would honor Dianne's lifetime of service by commemorating public spaces
in her memory. The Federal building at 50 U.N. Plaza stands as a
reminder of the responsibility that the Federal Government holds in
serving the public. Dianne spent her life dedicated to that
responsibility, and it is only fitting that we honor her by renaming
this Federal building in her beloved hometown.
I thank Senator Butler for joining me in this effort, and I urge my
colleagues to pass this bill as swiftly as possible.
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