SPEAKERS       CONTENTS       INSERTS    
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21–894CC

1996

NAMING BILLS

PLEASE NOTE: The following transcript is a portion of the official hearing record of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Additional material pertinent to this transcript may be found on the web site of the Committee at [http://www.house.gov/transportation]. Complete hearing records are available for review at the Committee offices and also may be purchased at the U.S. Government Printing Office.

(104–44)

HEARINGS

BEFORE THE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON

PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

OF THE

COMMITTEE ON
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TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ONE HUNDRED FOURTH CONGRESS

FIRST SESSION

DECEMBER 7 AND 13, 1995

Printed for the use of the

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

BUD SHUSTER, Pennsylvania, Chairman

DON YOUNG, Alaska
WILLIAM F. CLINGER, Jr., Pennsylvania
THOMAS E. PETRI, Wisconsin
SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT, New York
HERBERT H. BATEMAN, Virginia
BILL EMERSON, Missouri
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HOWARD COBLE, North Carolina
JOHN J. DUNCAN, Jr., Tennessee
SUSAN MOLINARI, New York
WILLIAM H. ZELIFF, Jr., New Hampshire
THOMAS W. EWING, Illinois
WAYNE T. GILCHREST, Maryland
Y. TIM HUTCHINSON, Arkansas
BILL BAKER, California
JAY KIM, California
STEPHEN HORN, California
BOB FRANKS, New Jersey
PETER I. BLUTE, Massachusetts
JOHN L. MICA, Florida
JACK QUINN, New York
TILLIE K. FOWLER, Florida
VERNON J. EHLERS, Michigan
SPENCER T. BACHUS, Alabama
JERRY WELLER, Illinois
ZACH WAMP, Tennessee
TOM LATHAM, Iowa
STEVEN C. LaTOURETTE, Ohio
ANDREA SEASTRAND, California
RANDY TATE, Washington
SUE KELLY, New York
RAY LaHOOD, Illinois
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BILL MARTINI, New Jersey
DAN FRISA, New York
TODD TIAHRT, Kansas
RICHARD H. BAKER, Louisiana

JAMES L. OBERSTAR, Minnesota
NICK J. RAHALL II, West Virginia
ROBERT A. BORSKI, Pennsylvania
WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI, Illinois
ROBERT E. WISE, Jr., West Virginia
JAMES A. TRAFICANT, Jr., Ohio
PETER A. DeFAZIO, Oregon
BOB CLEMENT, Tennessee
JERRY F. COSTELLO, Illinois
PETE GEREN, Texas
GLENN POSHARD, Illinois
BUD CRAMER, Alabama
BARBARA-ROSE COLLINS, Michigan
ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, District of Columbia
JERROLD NADLER, New York
PAT DANNER, Missouri
ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey
JAMES E. CLYBURN, South Carolina
CORRINE BROWN, Florida
JAMES A. BARCIA, Michigan
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BOB FILNER, California
EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Texas
BILL K. BREWSTER, Oklahoma
KAREN McCARTHY, Missouri
FRANK MASCARA, Pennsylvania
THOMAS C. SAWYER, Ohio
GENE TAYLOR, Mississippi
JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD, California
ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS, Maryland

SUBCOMMITTEE ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

WAYNE T. GILCHREST, Maryland, Chairman

ANDREA SEASTRAND, California, Vice-Chairwoman
JOHN J. DUNCAN, Jr., Tennessee
PETER I. BLUTE, Massachusetts
STEVEN C. LaTOURETTE, Ohio
BUD SHUSTER, Pennsylvania
(Ex Officio)

JAMES A. TRAFICANT, Jr., Ohio
ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON, District of Columbia
EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON, Texas
FRANK MASCARA, Pennsylvania
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JAMES L. OBERSTAR, Minnesota
(Ex Officio)

(ii)

CONTENTS

TESTIMONY

DECEMBER 7, 1995

    Cooley, Hon. Wes, a Representative in Congress from Oregon
    Cramer, Hon. Robert E. ''Bud'' a Representative in Congress from Alabama
    Duncan, Hon. John J., Jr., a Representative in Congress from Tennessee
    Eshoo, Hon. Anna, a Representative in Congress from California

    Miller, Hon. George, a Representative in Congress from California
    Moran, Hon. James P., a Representative in Congress from Virginia

    Seastrand, Hon. Andrea H., a Representative in Congress from California

PREPARED STATEMENTS SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

    Cooley, Hon. Wes, a Representative in Congress from Oregon
    Duncan, Hon. John J., Jr., a Representative in Congress from Tennessee
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    Taylor, Hon. Charles H., of North Carolina

DECEMBER 13, 1995

    Coleman, Hon. Ronald D., a Representative in Congress from Texas
    Kanjorski, Hon. Paul E., a Representative in Congress from Pennsylvania
    Poshard, Hon. Glenn, a Representative in Congress from Illinois

PREPARED STATEMENTS SUBMITTED BY A MEMBER OF CONGRESS

    Kanjorski, Hon. Paul E., a Representative in Congress from Pennsylvania

NAMING BILLS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1995

U.S. House of Representatives,

Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Economic Development,

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,

Washington, DC.

    The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:40 p.m. in room 2253, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Wayne Gilchrest (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding.
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    Mr. GILCHREST. The Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Economic Development will come to order.

    Today's markup will provide us with an opportunity to address several naming bills pending before the subcommittee. We will begin the review and consideration of the bills proposing to name eight Federal buildings in the General Services Administration's building inventory by hearing from some of our distinguished colleagues who have joined us to testify on behalf of the bills. The subcommittee will not proceed to a markup at that time, but we will hear from our distinguished colleagues on those that they feel revered enough to be named on one of our public buildings.

    At this point——

    Mrs. SEASTRAND. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Chairman be authorized to declare recesses during the committee markup today.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Do I hear an objection?

    [No response.]

    Mr. GILCHREST. No objection——

    Mr. TRAFICANT. Reserving the right to object.

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    [Laughter.]

    Mr. GILCHREST. The gentleman is recognized.

    Mr. TRAFICANT. Do you see this as being long delayed, Mr. Chairman?

    Mr. GILCHREST. I don't. If we had a vote on the House floor, we would possibly have to recess to do that and then come back, but I hope we can get our business done before the vote.

    Thank you, Mr. Traficant.

    I now recognize Mr. Traficant.

    Mr. TRAFICANT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for moving forward with the hearing and marking up these various naming bills which are still pending before this subcommittee.

    I welcome all of the Members who will be here testifying on legislation that they have brought forward. I am in support of and have knowledge of Mr. Duncan's bill and wholeheartedly support that. Also, on some of the things that are happening, I want to say that on the Coast Guard and Merchant Marine Affairs here, Mr. Duncan has done an awful lot to set the pace for this year, and I am glad to support him.

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    Mrs. Seastrand has legislation, and all of our guests here will be speaking on behalf of their legislation. So it is good to see them and I look forward to their testimony.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you, Mr. Traficant.

    I would like to welcome our distinguished colleagues who have joined us and express our appreciation for their participation in these proceedings. The naming bills will be heard by the subcommittee in the order that they are listed.

    The first Member is the Honorable Anna Eshoo.

TESTIMONY OF HON. ANNA ESHOO, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM CALIFORNIA

    Ms. ESHOO. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to all the members of the committee.

    I am honored to testify before you today and ask for your support on this legislation that would designate the new United States Geological Survey building in Menlo Park, California—right in the heart of my district—as the Vincent E. McKelvey Federal Building.

    Mr. Chairman, Dr. Vincent McKelvey was a distinguished American geologist and the ninth Director of the USGS. And obviously, I am proud to sponsor this legislation that commemorates his life by naming the new facility after him.
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    From his work as an entry level geologist, charting and protecting our Nation's environmental resources, to his deep commitment to energy conservation as a USGS Director, Dr. McKelvey's accomplishments span a 46-year career at the agency. I think that's pretty extraordinary, for anyone to devote 46 years of their life to anything, and he certainly did.

    During his tenure, Dr. McKelvey oversaw the transformation of the USGS from a wartime uranium research team to a highly effective mapping and research agency that provides early warning for natural disasters, assists local authorities in land surveys, and we in California know that they help save lives.

    Dr. McKelvey also served for 14 years as the lead scientist for the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Sea Conference, and in 1978 his work as a geologist was recognized when a 7,000-foot-high peak in Antarctica was designated Mount McKelvey in his honor.

    Dr. McKelvey's life and commitment to the ideals of energy conservation should serve as a model for future scientists, and his contributions to our Nation as a civil servant are obviously well documented.

    In accepting this legislation, I think that we would be paying tribute to a man of greatness in our Nation.

    I thank you for the time that you have given to me, and if I can answer any questions, I'd be delighted to.
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    Mr. GILCHREST. Are there any questions?

    Mr. TRAFICANT. Yes, Mr. Chairman.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Traficant?

    Mr. TRAFICANT. Thank you for being here, Anna.

    Is there any organized opposition to the naming of this building?

    Ms. ESHOO. None that we are aware of, and if there were, I would so advise you. The recommendation has really come through the ranks. I wish I had known him in person; he has gone to Heaven now, but those that worked with him in the USGS—it's a consensus recommendation. In fact, I was asked to carry this legislation, and I'm proud to.

    I know of no opposition to this.

    Mr. TRAFICANT. No further questions.

    Ms. ESHOO. Thank you.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you, Ms. Eshoo.

    Ms. ESHOO. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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    Mr. GILCHREST. I am sure the gentleman would be very pleased with your elegant testimony.

    Ms. ESHOO. Aren't you kind. Thank you, and thank you to all the members of the subcommittee.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you very much.

    Is Mr. Cooley here?

    [No response.]

    Mr. GILCHREST. The Honorable George Miller from the State of California?

TESTIMONY OF HON. GEORGE MILLER, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM CALIFORNIA

    Mr. MILLER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, and thank you for taking this afternoon to hear our cases for those buildings we seek to name in honor of individuals in our districts.

    In this case I am testifying on behalf of H.R. 2111. This bill would designate the Social Security Administration's Western Program Service Center, located in my district in Richmond, California, as the Frank Hagel Building.
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    Mr. Hagel started as a file clerk for the Social Security Administration in Kansas some 25 years ago. His hard work and talent continually promoted him through the technical and managerial ranks. He came to the Western Program Service Center in Richmond in 1986 and was promoted to Assistant Regional Commissioner for Processing Center Operations. In 1991, he once again showed exceptional leadership during the Legionnaire's Disease outbreak among the center's staff and received his second Social Security Commissioner's Citation. Finally, in 1994, Mr. Hagel was appointed the Assistant Regional Commissioner, Management and Budget, Region IX.

    When he passed away on January 1, 1995, the employees throughout the region felt as though they had lost a close relative. During his 25 years of service he oversaw the processing of benefit payment records for over 4.5 million people throughout this Nation. He was a model citizens of Richmond who selflessly provided community service to fellow residents.

    In appreciation of Mr. Hagel's leadership and in recognition of his dedicated and tireless service to this Nation and his community, the employees of the Western Program Service Center and the city of Richmond have expressed their wish to name the building after him with a resolution calling for the name change.

    The Senate has already considered this legislation and passed a companion bill, S. 1076, on August 9 of this year, and I would hope that the committee would provide favorable consideration and approval of this legislation, to provide this honor to Mr. Hagel.

    Just one note. When I originally introduced this legislation, it was the ''Francis J. Hagel Building,'' and the employees have decided that they really knew him as ''Frank,'' so they would like it to be the ''Frank Hagel Building.''
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    Again, thank you very much for this opportunity to testify before the committee.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you very much, Mr. Miller. I'm sure Mr. Hagel would be very honored to have this done, and ''Frank'' sounds a little more down-to-earth.

    Mr. MILLER. Yes.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Are there any questions?

    Mr. TRAFICANT. I assume from your testimony that there is absolutely no opposition?

    Mr. MILLER. None that we know of. If that were to occur, we would certainly let the committee know; but again, both the city in which the building is located and the employees and his friends and neighbors throughout the region have made this recommendation.

    Mr. TRAFICANT. The only reason we ask that, Mr. Miller, is that there have been a couple of cases where the committee, not knowing these matters, has brought them to the floor, and then found out there might be some controversy, and we may not know all that. So we assume that it's not controversial. We appreciate your testimony.

    Mr. MILLER. I appreciate the question.
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    Mr. TRAFICANT. We always think these are noncontroversial, but they don't always turn out to be.

    Thank you.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you, Mr. Miller.

    Mr. Moran.

    Thank you for coming, Mr. Moran. You may proceed.

TESTIMONY OF HON. JAMES P. MORAN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM VIRGINIA

    Mr. MORAN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee.

    On January 5th, most of the Easter District Federal Court will relocate into a new courthouse that does not yet have a name. I am here to urge this committee's favorable consideration of legislation that I introduced, which is H.R. 2305, so that the new Eastern District Federal Courthouse at Courthouse Square South and Jamieson Avenue South in Alexandria has a name, the Albert V. Bryan Courthouse.

    The name is appropriate. I ask you to help me honor and commemorate this man by conferring his name to the new courthouse. Albert V. Bryan is one of Virginia's most distinguished jurists. Appointed to the U.S. District Court in 1947 by President Truman, and promoted in 1961 to the Appeals Court by President Kennedy, Judge Bryan is best known for his 1958 order that four black students be enrolled in Arlington's all-white Stratford Junior High School. Implementation of this order produced the first day of school desegregation in Virginia history. That was in 1961.
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    Judge Bryan was also a member of the judicial panel that ordered the desegregation of public schools in Prince Edward County during the height of Virginia's ''massive resistance'' to integration. The Prince Edward case later became part of the Supreme Court's historic 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education.

    In his 37 years on the Federal bench, Judge Bryan built a record as a legal conservative and a strict constructionist. He was renowned for his fairness, his firmness, and his thoroughness. Of the 322 opinions written as a circuit court judge and the 18 opinions written as a district judge, he was reversed in only four cases. This is a record that very few can equal. His colleagues knew him as ''a courtly, conservative Virginia gentleman whose personal style was low-key, modest and polite, often with a dry wit.''

    According to his son, U.S. District Judge Albert V. Bryan, Jr., Judge Bryan, Sr. thought of the court as ''a jewel'' of the Constitution. Following through on the jewel metaphor, the Washington Post editorial marking the death of Judge Bryan stated that ''those who knew the senior Judge Bryan might well add that this appraisal came from an expert who valued that gem and protected it with integrity and eloquence.''

    With great reverence and pride, I am pleased to forward this legislation for your consideration. I ask that you bestow upon this distinguished Virginia and Alexandria resident the recognition that he deserves.

    Thank you.

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    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you, Mr. Moran.

    Mr. MORAN. I should tell my friend, the ranking minority member, that there is no organized—or even disorganized—opposition to this, either.

    [Laughter.]

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you very much, Mr. Moran.

    Mrs. Seastrand.

TESTIMONY OF HON. ANDREA H. SEASTRAND, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM CALIFORNIA

    Mrs. SEASTRAND. Well, Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, the bill that I am offering today is H.R. 2481, a bill to designate the Federal Triangle Building as the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade center. It is a proud moment for me to be able to honor one of the country's most famous citizens, and clearly my most famous constituent, in this manner.

    Ronald Reagan is a true optimist. He brought to our country a new way to see events, our Nation, and ourselves. He lives a life of example that we can show our children and our children's children, an example that through commitment and perseverance we can accomplish anything. And now we have the opportunity to honor him in a very small way.

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    Ronald Reagan spoke of ''Main Street America'' as the ''millions who work so hard to support their families and keep our country together,'' and he often talked of the rising tide of optimism in Main Street America, and that's why I think it is fitting that we name this Federal Building located on America's Main Street as the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.

    This newest constructed Federal Building, located on the last undeveloped stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue between the Capitol and the White House, is the largest Federal Building since the Pentagon was built. The structure is designed by James Ingo Freed of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners; I.M. Pei designed the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art, and Freed designed the Holocaust Museum on 14th Street

    This building will be the centerpiece of downtown Washington. It will dedicate 500,000 square feet for an international trade center and will attract business and tourism. It seems fitting that this building, that will feature free trade, should bear Ronald Reagan's name.

    Now, I am aware that there are concerns over naming the Federal Triangle Building after former President Reagan. People have questioned the financial management of the building, and these are legitimate concerns. To better understand the financial management of this facility and to study methods to finance the construction of Federal Buildings in the future, I have joined Chairman Wayne Gilchrest and the former ranking minority member of this subcommittee, Congressman John Duncan, in requesting that the General Accounting Office conduct an audit of the Federal Triangle Office Building Project.

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    It must be pointed out, however, that in designating a name to this building, the operations involved in its management and construction are completely and totally mutually exclusive of one another. The Federal act which authorized construction of the Federal Triangle Office Building was passed unanimously by Congress in 1987 and was signed by President Reagan on August 21 of the same year. The act provided for a Federal office building which would consolidate many Federal agencies into a single structure, and would sublease remaining space to commercial establishments and other foreign and domestic organizations at a rate of at least an amount to amortize the cost of developing the property, including administrative costs.

    The to bill to name this building the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center was introduced by myself, Chairman Gilchrest, and Congressman Chris Cox of California on October 13 of this year. The bill has a bipartisan array of 42 cosponsors, and its companion in the Senate was introduced by Senator Dole on the same day with a bipartisan array of 12 cosponsors, including Senator Moynihan from New York, who authored the original act authorizing the building's construction.

    I would let everyone know that the designation bill has been received with an appreciative response from the Reagan family. To paraphrase from a note that I received from the former First Lady, Nancy Reagan, she and the former President are truly grateful for all that is being done on this designation bill to honor the Reagan name.

    Again, this bill is wholly separate from issues related to the management of the building. Regardless of the concerns over the management of the building and the project, the building must have a name; and in order for Federal Buildings to have a name, Congress must enact a bill designating them one.
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    The Federal Triangle Building is being constructed to meet Federal specifications. It will have a lifespan of 150 to 200 years, and I believe that it will be one of the most stately Federal buildings on our Nation's Main Street, Pennsylvania Avenue. The building will be another architectural landmark for our Nation's capital. What can we do that would be more fitting than to name the International Trade Center after a President who stood so strongly for free and fair trade? A building with such a dignified architectural presence, centered in such a prominent location within our Nation's capital, should have a name of a dignified and prominent former President, Ronald Wilson Reagan.

    Again, I thank the subcommittee for holding this hearing and for marking up this designation bill, which preserves the optimism contained within the Reagan legacy of our Nation's Main Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, for centuries to come.

    Thank you.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you very much, Mrs. Seastrand.

    Are there any questions?

    Mr. Traficant?

    Mr. TRAFICANT. Mrs. Seastrand, I noticed that there are Republican cosponsors. Did you send out a ''Dear Colleague'' on this?

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    Mrs. SEASTRAND. I sent a ''Dear Colleague.'' It does have bipartisan support, and I will send another one to you.

    Mr. TRAFICANT. Well, I want you to put me on the bill.

    Mrs. SEASTRAND. All right.

    Mr. TRAFICANT. Just let me ask one question, which I asked everybody else. Is there any organized opposition to the naming of this building for the former Gipper?

    Mrs. SEASTRAND. To the naming of the bill, I know of no organized opposition nor, as was stated earlier, disorganized opposition.

    Mr. TRAFICANT. We have to ask everybody that, you know.

    I want you to put me on as a cosponsor. I am very glad to cosponsor it. I think some of the things Mr. Duncan is doing have to be done, as well, and I am glad to support the naming of it.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you, Mr. Traficant.

    Mr. Duncan?

    Mr. DUNCAN. Let me just say that many, many people have raised questions about things that have happened during the construction of this building, including me and you, and even Mrs. Seastrand. But Mrs. Seastrand and I have discussed this legislation, and in the end we're going to have a beautiful building there. Maybe it's going to cost more than it should have, or maybe there have been things that have happened that possibly shouldn't have, but it is very appropriate and fitting to name this building after former President Reagan. I have great admiration and respect for him.
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    I would just second everything that Mrs. Seastrand has said in her very thorough and very fine statement, and I support this legislation.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you, Mr. Duncan.

    I think that in the end it will be a very beautiful and worthwhile and fundamentally sound building that all of us can be proud of, and especially of the fact that it will be named after a former President, such as Ronald Reagan. But in the process of looking into the construction of this particular Federal Building, maybe we can find things that went wrong so that we don't have to repeat those mistakes.

    Just one comment. I am very happy that you are doing this, Mrs. Seastrand. I think Presidents that become famous, for whatever reason, have particular human qualities, such as Mr. Reagan has, and those usually are courage and vision and optimism. And while Mr. Reagan has succumbed to human frailties, to which we will all succumb one day, I do think it is fitting and proper that a man like Ronald Reagan, who did so much in the way that he believed was right for his country, that we have this Federal Building named after him in his honor, and I thank you for doing that.

    Thank you.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Charley Taylor is not here? Okay.
    [Mr. Taylor's prepared statement follows:]

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    [Insert here.]

    Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Cooley? Thank you for coming, Mr. Cooley.

TESTIMONY OF HON. WES COOLEY, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM OREGON

    Mr. COOLEY. Thank you for having me.

    This is a small request, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank you for the opportunity to testify today on behalf of H.R. 2061, designating the David J. Wheeler Federal Building in Baker City.

    Baker City is a very, very small community in eastern Oregon, very close to the Idaho border, by the way. Baker City is a very close-knit community in eastern Oregon, a little over an hour from the Idaho border. The town is deeply affected by the recent loss of David Wheeler, one of the community's best-loved citizens.

    Mr. Wheeler, an employee of the U.S. Forest Service, was inspecting a bridge in Payette National Forest in late April when he was brutally murdered by two teenaged thugs. Mr. Wheeler's death had a tremendous impact on the entire Baker City community because he was very active as a civic leader, involved in the community which he adopted as his home town in Oregon.

    In 1994, Mr. Wheeler was elected by the Baker County Chamber of Commerce as the Baker County Father of the Year. At the time of his death, Mr. Wheeler was president-elect of the Baker City Rotary Club. He was a leader in the United Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee. He served as a coach at the local YMCA and was a member of the Baker County Community Choir. David Wheeler was a model Forest Service employee, a dedicated family man, and an admired and respected citizen.
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    The Federal Building located at 1550 Dewey Avenue in Baker City has never been named. A companion bill, S. 1097, sponsored by Senator Mark Hatfield, passed the Senate by a voice vote on November 2nd.

    Mr. Chairman, dedicating the Baker City Federal Building to David Wheeler would serve as a fitting tribute to a model employee of the U.S. Forest Service and to an esteemed member of the Baker City community.

    I thank you.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you, Mr. Cooley.

    Are there any questions?

    You live in a beautiful part of the country, and I am sure that Mr. Wheeler—under the tragic circumstances that you describe—I am sure that his family will be very proud of what you're doing. Thank you very much.

    Mr. COOLEY. Well, the city of Baker City, as I said before, is a very, very small community of about 5,000 people, and they would like to see this, too. It is really their wish. We here have the opportunity to name a building that has never been named before. It's been there for, I think, almost 20 years. It's not a great and stately building, but it is a building, and it is the Federal Building. I think that maybe this is the proper time to do something. I think it would be good for the community and would show our sincere gratitude for all the work that he did in the community. I'm sure it's very fitting.
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    Thank you very much.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you very much.
    [Mr. Cooley's prepared statement follows:]
    [Insert here.]

    Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. John Duncan of Tennessee?

TESTIMONY OF HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR., A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM TENNESSEE

    Mr. DUNCAN. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    My bill, H.R. 2547, is a bill more in the nature of a technical correction, I suppose, than anything else. We passed legislation in the last Congress to name a new Federal Courthouse, to be constructed in Knoxville, Tennessee, after former Senator Howard Baker; then a decision was made, shortly after that bill passed both the House and the Senate, to purchase a much larger and almost-new building in Knoxville, a 225,000-square-foot building compared to the 150,000-square-foot building that was to be constructed. An opportunity came open to purchase this other building because the former Whittle Corporation, unfortunately, had closed down. So we had to have a new bill to name this other building after Senator Baker.

    Senator Howard Baker was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1966. He was the first Republican ever popularly elected to the U.S. Senate from Tennessee, and he won reelection in 1972 and 1978. Senator Baker served as minority leader of the Senate from 1977 to 1981, and majority leader from 1981 to 1985, when he chose to retire. In 1987, President Reagan asked Senator Baker to serve as Chief of Staff to the President at a time when the Administration needed steady and seasoned leadership during the Iran-Contra controversy. In 1982, Senator Baker received the Jefferson Award for greatest public service performed by an elected or appointed official. In 1984, Senator Baker received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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    He is one of the greatest living Tennesseans. I think it is very appropriate that we name this Federal Courthouse in Knoxville after Senator Baker.

    This legislation has been supported and cosponsored by the entire Tennessee delegation. I have a full statement that I would like to place in the record, and I ask support for this legislation.

    Thank you very much.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you, Mr. Duncan. Without objection, it will be placed in the record.

    Are there any questions?

    Mr. TRAFICANT. I just want to make a comment, that Mr. Duncan has been steadfast in his pursuit of this, and that is very justifiable. I am very proud to be associated with him and the things that he has done in this regard and other regards and I'm glad to support the legislation.

    Mr. DUNCAN. I want to thank you very much.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you, Mr. Traficant.

    A famous Tennessean, a fine man, and I remember following Senator Baker's career before I even thought about getting into politics. He was a fine role model for people to become public servants.
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    Mr. DUNCAN. Well, he was a real hero to me and to many people in Tennessee, and thank you very much for saying that.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Yes, sir, Mr. Duncan.

    [Mr. Duncan's prepared statement follows:]

    [Insert here.]

    Mr. GILCHREST. Next on the list is Mr. Bud Cramer.

TESTIMONY OF HON. ROBERT E. ''BUD'' CRAMER, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM ALABAMA

    Mr. CRAMER. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. I appreciate your presence here in the late afternoon on a day from which we will recess.

    It is an honor to testify before your subcommittee today in support of naming a Federal Courthouse in Decatur, Alabama for Judge Seybourn Lynne. Judge Lynne is our Nation's longest-serving Federal judge. He has served on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama for 50 years.

    The designation of this building in honor of Judge Lynne is a fitting tribute to a man who has dedicated so many years of his service to both the State and Federal court systems. The Seybourn Lynne Federal Courthouse will serve as a great reminder of his legacy to future generations.
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    Judge Lynne is a Decatur native. He has lived there all his life. He earned his law degree from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He received that law degree in 1930. He was first elected to the bench in Morgan County at Decatur in 1934. He went on to serve on the Eighth Judicial Circuit of Alabama until he stepped down in 1942, when he volunteered for military service.

    In 1946, Senators Lister Hill and John Bankhead of Alabama recommended Judge Lynne for appointment to the U.S. District Court. Judge Lynne was selected for this post by President Harry Truman. He became chief judge of the Federal Court in 1953. He became senior judge in 1973.

    Judge Lynne is widely known and respected for his wisdom, his integrity, and his dedication to justice. His outstanding abilities as a mediator have helped pave the way for the growth and success that we enjoy today in all of north Alabama.

    Even as a senior member, Judge Lynne has worked long hours to carry out the court's enormous caseload in a timely and efficient manner.

    Mr. Chairman, as a former District Attorney and as a resident of north Alabama, I am proud to speak today on behalf of the designation of the Seybourn H. Lynne Federal Courthouse. The companion piece to this today is S. 369, introduced by both our Senators.

    In anticipation of Mr. Traficant's question, I know of no organized opposition to the naming of this Federal Courthouse.
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    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you, Mr. Cramer.

    Are there any questions?

    Mr. Traficant?

    Mr. TRAFICANT. I'm sure there are some prisoners that would be upset with this, wouldn't they?

    [Laughter.]

    Mr. CRAMER. Disorganized opposition—I'm sure they would be, you're right.

    Mr. TRAFICANT. Bud, we're glad you're here. You had great remarks, and we support you.

    Mr. CRAMER. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    Mr. GILCHREST. I echo those sentiments, Mr. Cramer. You also live in a beautiful part of the country.

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    Mr. CRAMER. Thank you.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you very much.

    Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Chairman, can I ask unanimous consent to speak out of order for a minute?

    Mr. GILCHREST. Without objection.

    Mr. TRAFICANT. We have a new member of this subcommittee. As you know, I came over from another subcommittee, with the retiring of the ranking member and former chairman, Norm Mineta, and I am naturally glad to be back. It is good to join forces with my old counterpart there, Jimmy Duncan, and I am looking forward to working with you. You seem to be taking some of his leads; we're glad to see that.

    We have a new Democratic member on our committee since that realignment by the Democratic Caucus. He is a former Pitt man from the Western Pennsylvania area. He comes to us out of county government. He is very knowledgeable and familiar with transportation and infrastructure-type problems, Mr. Frank Mascara. He's a very good man who is doing a very good job, and I just wanted, as the ranking Democrat, to welcome him here. The bipartisanship on this committee has always been great, and he's certainly in that mold. I'm just glad we have him. I'm glad he's on our subcommittee, and I introduce him to all of you.

    Mr. MASCARA. Thank you, Mr. Ranking Member and Chairman Gilchrest. I am delighted and feel privileged to serve on this subcommittee and I look forward to working with all of you.
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    Mr. GILCHREST. We are very glad to have you here, Mr. Mascara.

    Mr. MASCARA. Thank you.

    Mr. GILCHREST. We also are very glad to have Mr. Traficant here, as well.

    Mr. TRAFICANT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    Mr. GILCHREST. An honored and esteemed Member of the House of Representatives, and I am sure this committee can move forward with the problems that are presented to it.

    A lot of people talk about bipartisanship, but I think we have a unique and special assignment on this committee, to carry out those areas of public buildings that not too many people think are high profile things, but we take care of the Federal Treasury and we take care of the public buildings.

    Mr. Traficant?

    Mr. TRAFICANT. In regard to that I can honestly say that Mr. Duncan, with my assistance—the two of us last year saved half a billion dollars on one building in the city of Atlanta. Very few people know this, but I am just proud to say that there are a lot of things that we have to look at. We may not always agree on all of the issues, but what I have found is that usually what comes out of here has been reasonable disagreement; and when there is a cause for disagreement, there is usually some smoke and some fire that brings the need to scrutinize some areas.
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    So, one building, half a billion dollars—more so than that, in fact; I won't get into it, but that's the truth about it.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you, Mr. Traficant.

    Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Chairman, let me say this about Mr. Traficant. He served as chairman of this subcommittee in the last Congress and he did an outstanding job. I have told people that I don't think there could have been any subcommittee in the whole Congress where the chairman and the ranking member had a closer relationship than he and I did. And I'll tell you, he is one of the most popular Members in the entire Congress, Jim Traficant is. And you see why, because he did in the most sincere way his welcome to Frank just now. But you're going to enjoy working with Jim Traficant. He's a good man.

    Thank you very much.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you, Mr. Duncan.

    Mr. Mascara?

    Mr. MASCARA. I would like to recognize Sean Pickard from my staff, and introduce him to all the other staff members who work very closely with Sean Pickard on matters pertaining to this committee.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Sure.
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    Mr. MASCARA. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you, Mr. Mascara.

    That concludes our hearing on the naming bills. The subcommittee stands adjourned.

    [Whereupon, at 3:10 p.m., the subcommittee proceeded to further business.]

NAMING BILLS AND OTHER PENDING MATTERS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1995

House of Representatives,

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,

Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Economic Development,

Washington, DC.

    The subcommittee met, pursuant to notice, at 8:35 a.m. in room 2253, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Wayne Gilchrest (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding.

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    Mr. GILCHREST. The Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Grounds will come to a pleasant opening here this morning.

    Today's meeting will provide us with an opportunity to address several issues pending before the subcommittee.

    First, we will review and consider a number of bills proposing the naming of four Federal buildings in the General Service Administration's building inventory.

    At the conclusion of the testimony of the naming bills, the subcommittee will proceed to mark up these bills and next consider a bill authorizing the sale of the House annex building located on 501 First Street, Southeast, Washington, D.C.

    I would like to begin the hearing by welcoming several of our distinguished colleagues who have joined us this morning to testify on behalf of the naming bills and express our appreciation for their participation in the proceedings.

    The naming bills will be heard by the subcommittee in the order that they are listed.

    I'd like to now recognize Ranking Member Mr. Traficant.

    Mr. TRAFICANT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    I want to welcome here many of our members—Mr. Coleman, Mr. Poshard, Mr. Kanjorski, and I believe Mr. Taylor is expected, on respective bills naming respective buildings after certain influential and distinguished people within their regions.
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    I want to commend Mr. Coleman for introducing H.R. 2415 to designate the U.S. Customs Administrative Building in El Paso, Texas, in honor of a Customs inspector, Inspector Timothy McCaghren, who was killed in the line of duty in 1990. I understand that Inspector McCaghren was one of the Customs Service's top narcotics interdiction officers in the El Paso area.

    I'm also pleased to have good colleagues here, Paul Kanjorski and Glenn Poshard, with respective naming bills that they have that are very worthwhile, as well.

    Regarding H.R. 2620, a bill to authorize the sale of 501 First Street, Southeast, as you know, I supported in principle the idea of selling a House-owned building that currently serves no productive purpose and can be sold at a profit for the taxpayer.

    During the October hearing I asked a number of questions dealing mainly with two issues: one, money; two, the community impact from such activity. I was particularly concerned that there be no sale unless there was a net profit after expenses from the sale. In other words, ''Where's the beef?''

    The preliminary numbers supplied by the Office of the Architect of the Capitol indicate that there will be some beef and that the community concerns regarding potential use have been addressed through the provisions dealing with zoning and occupancy, and I believe that Chairman Gilchrest has done a fine job in some of the details of this, because this is sort of precedent-setting.

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    Finally, legislation provides that there will be no—I repeat, no—interruption in child care services. The existing child care facility will continue to operate at their current location until the new facility is ready. It is anticipated that the new space will be ready in less than a year.

    This is, again, precedent-setting type legislation. We must be concerned with not only doing it right, but also indicating to our constituents that we can be responsible in that process.

    So, again, thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your attention to the concerns that I brought forward, your willingness to incorporate our language into the final bill.

    So I look forward to hearing from our distinguished colleagues, and thank you for the time.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you very much, Mr. Traficant.

    Our first witness this morning is the Honorable Paul Kanjorski of Pennsylvania. Welcome to the subcommittee.

TESTIMONY OF THE HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM PENNSYLVANIA

    Mr. KANJORSKI. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

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    Mr. Chairman, I'm pleased to appear today to testify on behalf of H.R. 1718. It's a bill to rename the Federal building in Wilkes-Barre, a Federal courthouse that is under the process of being remodeled, in honor of a circuit court judge of appeals from the third circuit of the United States, the Honorable Max Rosenn.

    Judge Rosenn has served since 1969, was originally appointed to the Federal circuit court by President Richard Nixon. He, although he's a republican, is a very close personal friend of mine and my family. We go back more than 65 years. When Judge Rosenn came out of law school, he worked with my father in my father's law firm.

    The building in Wilkes-Barre is about to undergo major renovations to be turned into a Federal courthouse and the home offices for the bankruptcy court of the Middle District of Pennsylvania. It's about a $15 million or $20 million renovation.

    Judge Rosenn is now in his late 80s, has served not only on the circuit court of appeals, but as Secretary of Welfare for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, has a distinguished military career in the Judge Advocate General Corps.

    He was a distinguished student, having graduated Cornell University at the age of 19, and went on to my father's alma mater, University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he later graduated 3 years later and entered the practice of law in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.

    He's a member of an outstanding number of boards, and trustee of universities. He's looked at and has been a leader of our area for more than 50 years.

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    During the flood recovery of 1972, when Flood Agnes devastated the Wyoming Valley and caused more than $2 billion of destruction, Judge Rosenn came forward, although sitting at the bench at the time, and assumed the chairmanship of the flood recovery task force, which was a major impetus in the recovery of northeastern Pennsylvania.

    I know I'm not alone, but hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians and individuals from my District, including many leaders—Governor Scranton@@, Governor Shafer, and many others—who had to occasion to serve, to appoint, and to know Judge Rosenn would be here sitting today recommending to this panel that the renovated new Federal building, Federal courthouse in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, be renamed in his honor.

    [The prepared statement of Mr. Kanjorski follows:]

    [Insert here.]

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you very much, Mr. Kanjorski. I'm sure the family and friends warmly appreciate the comments that you made here this morning.

    Are there any questions, Mr. Traficant?

    Mr. TRAFICANT. I just want to thank the gentleman for coming in and support his legislation.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you very much, Mr. Kanjorski.

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    Mr. KANJORSKI. Thank you.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Next is the Honorable Glenn Poshard.

    Good morning, Glenn.

TESTIMONY OF THE HON. GLENN POSHARD, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM ILLINOIS

    Mr. POSHARD. Good morning, Wayne.

    Mr. Chairman, thank you. I'm honored to be here today testifying on behalf of H.R. 2689, a bill to name the U.S. courthouse in Benton, Illinois, the James L. Foreman Courthouse.

    I introduced identical legislation during the 103rd Congress, and I'm pleased to note it passed the House by voice vote. Unfortunately, the Senate did not act on the bill before it adjourned.

    Judge Foreman has had an outstanding career on the Federal bench. He was appointed to the Federal bench in 1972, after having served as an assistant attorney general for Illinois and Massac County State's attorney from 1960 to 1964. He became chief judge in 1978 and continued in this position until 1992, when he became a senior district judge.

    Originally, the district was known as the eastern district of Illinois because it covered a large area ranging from a outskirts of Chicago south to Champaign-Urbana and covered the entire southern section of Illinois. At Judge Foreman's suggestion, the boundaries of the Federal judicial districts in Illinois were reviewed, and the present judicial district was renamed the southern district, which is composed of the 38 southernmost contiguous counties of the State.
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    Judge Foreman was instrumental in instituting a formal case management system long before the concept was mandated for all Federal courts. The southern district also established court facilities at the maximum security U.S. penitentiary at Marion, Illinois, in order to accommodate the special security concerns involved with these prisoners.

    Judge Foreman has also served on the Judicial Resource Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States. On several occasions, he has been appointed to sit by designation in cases before the U.S. court of appeals for the seventh circuit and the U.S. district court for the western district of Kentucky.

    He served with honor and distinction during his entire tenure on the Federal bench. I believe it would be most appropriate to recognize Judge Foreman's many contributions by naming the Federal courthouse in Benton, Illinois, for him.

    Again, I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, and the committee for acting on this important issue so expeditiously.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you very much for coming. Your testimony, I'm sure, is appreciated by the family and friends of Judge Foreman.

    Mr. POSHARD. Yes, sir.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Are there any questions from——

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    Mr. TRAFICANT. Thank you, Glenn.

    Mr. POSHARD. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    Mr. GILCHREST. The next witness is the Honorable Ronald Coleman, state of Texas.

TESTIMONY OF THE HON. RONALD D. COLEMAN, A REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM TEXAS

    Mr. COLEMAN. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, for permitting me to testify before you this morning.

    I'm here to speak in support of H.R. 2415, a bill which would designate the Ysleta Port of Entry in El Paso, Texas, as the Timothy C. McCaghren Customs Administrative Building.

    Timothy McCaghren was a Customs inspector assigned to Ysleta Port of Entry in 1990 when he was tragically killed in the line of duty. It is with great pleasure and certainly a privilege that I have introduced legislation that would name that Federal building located at 797 South Zaragoza in El Paso, Texas, in his honor.

    On February 19, 1990, Customs Inspector Timothy McCaghren attempted to stop a van at that port of entry. The driver of the van accelerated in an attempt to run the port. He dragged Inspector McCaghren until he was flung from the vehicle and, sadly, Inspector McCaghren died the following day from head injuries sustained in the incident. He is survived by his wife, Dedra, and his children, Chastity and Brandt.
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    As the chairman knows, I have fought to obtain law enforcement status for Customs inspectors. I serve on the Treasury Postal Subcommittee of Appropriation and have believed for a long time that, indeed, the first line of defense, oftentimes when we deal with terrorists and people who would smuggle contraband into the United States, are these men and women who we ask to serve us at these ports of entries.

    A recent study showed that more Customs officers die due to service-related injuries than any other group, with the exception of Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Prison Officers, and so I'm very interested in trying to get that legislation passed that would grant them a 20-year law enforcement retirement package, as well.

    I will just tell you that all of my experience in my 14 years in Congress has been toward trying to have people understand that these men and women are working for us, and they're actually doing a very dangerous job. Every vehicle that comes through a port of entry, every individual that comes through an airport, even, I think has to be—we have to understand and be alerted to the fact that these men and women are standing there on our behalf, and indeed sometimes there can be very dangerous persons with whom they are dealing.

    So anyway, Mr. Chairman, I just believe very strongly that Timothy McCaghren, because of the kind of person he was, is most deserving to be honored by having a Federal building named in his memory.

    I thank you very much for allowing me to present my testimony before your subcommittee, and if you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them.
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    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you, Mr. Coleman. We appreciate and share your views on the dangers and the importance for us to understand the problems that our Customs agents face. We also appreciation in a deeply-moved sense the tragic story that you just told us, and we think it is very proper and fitting for this building to be named after such a man as you just described.

    Mr. COLEMAN. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Are there any questions, Mr. Traficant?

    Mr. TRAFICANT. I just want to echo those comments and say that I agree with your legislation. I don't know if I'm a co-sponsor on that. If I'm not, I want you to put me down.

    Mr. COLEMAN. Thank you.

    Mr. TRAFICANT. I also want to say that, Ron, you're leaving us. I had an opportunity to work with you and, as a member of the Authorizing Committee all these years, I want to thank you as a member of the Appropriation Committee. You have on many occasions looked at some of the things that we were doing and given us a hand in a lot of different areas.

    I think when it comes to the border and Customs, there is no doubt you've been a leader. I think your testimony is indicative of that, and the intent of your legislation is consistent with what you've done all these years.
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    You're going to really be missed. We are going to miss you and do all we can. Put me down on that bill.

    Mr. COLEMAN. Thank you, Mr. Traficant. I appreciate it.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Any other questions?

    [No response.]

    Mr. GILCHREST. Thank you very much, Mr. Coleman.

    Mr. COLEMAN. They, Mr. Chairman, and I thank the committee for your time.

    Mr. GILCHREST. That concludes our hearing on the naming bills. The subcommittee stands adjourned for about a second.

    Mr. MASCARA. I have some opening remarks that I'd like to have unanimous consent to put into the record.

    Mr. GILCHREST. Without objection, so ordered.

    [Whereupon, at 8:34 a.m., the subcommittee was recessed, to reconvene at the call of the Chair.]
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