[United States Government Manual] [July 01, 1995] [Pages 43-44] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC 20515 Phone, 202-228-1793 Architect of the Capitol George M. White ________________________________________________________________________ The Architect of the Capitol is responsible for the care and maintenance of the U.S. Capitol and nearby buildings and grounds while implementing reconstruction and landscape improvement projects according to the original intent of the Capitol's designers. The Architect of the Capitol is charged with operating and maintaining the buildings of the Capitol committed to his care by Congress. Permanent authority for these functions was established by the act of August 15, 1876 (40 U.S.C. 162, 163). The Architect's duties include the mechanical and structural maintenance of the Capitol, the conservation and care of works of art in the building, the upkeep and improvement of the Capitol grounds, and the arrangement of inaugural and other ceremonies held in the building or on the grounds. Legislation is enacted from time to time providing for additional buildings and grounds to be placed under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol. In addition to the Capitol, the Architect is responsible for the upkeep of all of the congressional office buildings, the Library of Congress buildings, the United States Supreme Court building, the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building, the Capitol Power Plant, the Capitol Police headquarters, and the Robert A. Taft Memorial. The Architect performs his duties in connection with the Senate side of the Capitol, the Senate office buildings, and the operation of the Senate restaurants subject to the approval of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. In matters of general policy in connection with the House office buildings and the Capitol Power Plant, his activities are subject to the approval and direction of the House Office Building Commission. The Architect is under the direction of the Speaker in matters concerning the House side of the Capitol. Also, the Architect of the Capitol serves as the Acting Director of the United States Botanic Garden under the Joint Committee on the Library. Until 1989 the position of Architect of the Capitol was filled by Presidential appointment for an indefinite term. Legislation enacted in 1989 provided that the Architect be appointed by the President for a 10- year term, with the advice and consent of the Senate, from a list of 3 candidates recommended by a congressional commission. Upon confirmation by the Senate, the Architect becomes an official of the legislative branch as an officer and agent of Congress and is eligible for reappointment after completion of his term. The Architect, whose original duties were limited to designing and supervising the construction of the Capitol, has assumed additional responsibilities for activities that have been assigned to the office by Congress. Today, in light of the widespread activities under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol, the [[Page 44]] administrative function challenges the architectural and engineering functions of the office. Projects carried out by the Architect of the Capitol in recent years include renovation and restoration of the Statue of Freedom, the Rotunda and other areas in the Capitol, and the Library of Congress; procurement and installation of television and broadcasting facilities for the House and Senate chambers and hearing rooms; improvement to building utility, energy-management, and security systems; installation of a Senate subway system; development and implementation of the Legislative Branch Telecommunications Network; plans for the complete renovation of the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory; the design of a National Garden adjacent to the Conservatory; and plans for a new Capitol Visitor Center. The Architect also oversaw the design and construction of the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building for the U.S. courts. Ongoing conservation/renovation projects include the Brumidi corridors in the Capitol, a substantial barrier-removal program throughout the Capitol Complex, and the east monumental stairs on the Capitol's House wing. The Architect of the Capitol also serves as a member of numerous governing or advisory bodies, including: Capitol Police Board, Capitol Guide Board, House of Representatives Page Board, District of Columbia Zoning Commission, Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, National Capital Memorial Commission, Art Advisory Committee to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and the National Institute for Conservation of Cultural Property. He is also an ex officio member of the United States Capitol Preservation Commission and the Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Capitol. In addition, he serves as the Coordinator of Civil Defense for the Capitol complex. For further information, contact the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC 20515. Phone, 202-228- 1793. ________________________________________________________________________