[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3881]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 COMMENDING PENTAGON RENOVATION PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 19, 2002

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my 
colleagues in commending the great work that the Pentagon Renovation 
Program and its contractors have completed so far.
  The renovation effort, also known as the Phoenix Project, is slated 
to be complete on September 11, 2002--exactly one year after the 
despicable act of terror. I am proud to acknowledge that the Phoenix 
Project is running 6 weeks ahead of schedule.
  The dedication of the government employees and independent 
contractors once again shows the resolve that this nation has always 
shown in times of adversity. In fact, initially the workers toiled 
around the clock to continue this extraordinary effort. They have even 
put up a digital clock at the site, counting down the days to September 
11, 2002, to remind them of the victims who perished, with the 
intentions of finishing the reconstruction on September 11, 2002.
  Mr. Speaker, after the terrorist attacks on September 11 on the 
Pentagon, 400,000 square feet of demolition work had to be carried out 
before the reconstruction efforts could begin. This process was 
expected to take 4 to 7 months, but was finished in just one month. 
Also, out of about 4600 displaced employees, 1500 have already returned 
to their old office spaces.
  The speed, resiliency, and efficiency with which this project has 
been carried out is a reminder of the determination that our nation 
has, the determination that was first seen on the United and American 
flights, and continues to be seen in the efforts of these workers.
  Mr. Speaker, before September 11, these workers were working about 5 
days per week to renovate the Pentagon, but after the attack, they have 
put aside their own fears and returned for even longer work days. A lot 
of these workers lost their loved ones in these terror attacks, yet 
they have endured through their personal grief to offer some solace to 
the rest of the nation.
  This reconstruction effort is more than just the rebuilding of the 
old Pentagon building. Additional security concerns are being addressed 
including updated ventilation system to guard against nuclear, 
biological or chemical attacks. The work continues around the clock. 
This is a testament to the selfless dedication that these unsung heroes 
have shown for the past six months.
  Mr. Speaker, the workers involved with the Phoenix Project have aptly 
adopted the words once uttered by Todd Beamer as their motto. The sign 
reading ``Let's Roll'' now sits above the digital clock constantly 
reminding them and all of us of all the challenges that lie ahead and 
all the challenges that we have already overcome. I would like to 
assure everyone involved with this renovation project that we are 
behind them every step of the way in this monumental task that they 
have taken on with such grace.

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