Eleanor Norton

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Chairman, I am obliged to speak up on the HOPE VI bill before us today, particularly because of the District's track record has made this city a shining success story, the fourth largest recipient of HOPE VI funding in the Nation, and an innovative leader in HOPE VI projects spurred on by federal funds available until recently, and the District's success in obtaining HOPE VI grants. I have devoted considerable time and effort to help the city obtain these grants. The great success the city has had in the stiff, nationwide competition it has faced in seeking each grant it has won, greatly energized by its own efforts. Even now, the District of Columbia has a grant pending. HOPE VI has been the functional equivalent of a federal government stamp of approval. The District provides a fabulous example of how a little government money can act as a magnet for private and nonprofit funds that otherwise would not be available. Having received over $140 million in HOPE VI grants, the District has been able to maximize every grant dollar, leveraging the grant awards at a ratio of 1 to 7 to attract unusually large amounts of public and private funds, $740 million of non-government funding to five HOPE VI sites in the District. A brief sampling of HOPE VI successes in the city illustrates the incredible economic impact that the grants have had. The H Street Barracks in Ward 6 is the hottest retail strip under HOPE VI. The District's first HOPE VI development, the Town Homes in Ward 6, not far from where we stand today, has been occupied by District residents for over eight years. In its prior life, the Town Homes was known as the Ellen Wilson Dwellings and stood abandoned for eight years, depressing the vibrancy of the surrounding community. However, a $26 million HOPE VI grant, awarded in 1993, transformed the public housing units into 134 cooperative, mixed-income town homes, with 33 families at 0 percent to 24 percent of area median income, AMI, 34 families at 25 percent to 50 percent of AMI, and 67 families at 50 percent to 115 percent of AMI. One of the most ambitious HOPE VI projects undertaken nationwide is transforming the Arthur Capper/Carrollsburg Dwellings, a 23-acre 758- unit public housing complex near the Washington Navy Yard and the Southeast Federal Center, into a revitalized residential part of general Anacostia waterfront revitalization, one of the largest urban redevelopment areas in the country. The Arthur Capper/Carrollsburg development is the first HOPE VI site in the country to provide one- for-one replacement of demolished public housing units. The $34.9 million grant award has been leveraged to provide a total of over $424 million for the creation of 1,562 rental and home ownership units, replacing the demolished units with 707 public housing units, 525 affordable rental units and 330 market rate homes for purchase, for a total of 1,562 new units, and additional office space, neighborhood retail space and a community center. One of the best examples of how HOPE VI grants have helped DC communities is the lowest-income ward in the District of Columbia, Ward 8, where HOPE VI developments are transforming an entire ward. Ward 8 leads the city in housing starts and new rental housing. A Giant Food grocery store near the Henson Ridge HOPE VI development is the only supermarket in the ward and the largest in the region. The Henson Ridge HOPE VI across the street gave Giant an immediate customer base and now draws the entire ward. HOPE VI has been nothing short of a veritable economic engine to drive the reinvigoration of entire communities. It would be a national tragedy for Congress to allow HOPE VI to expire rather than building on the success of the District and other cities. The investment by the government pales in comparison to the return generated. I strongly support H.R. 3524 to reauthorize the HOPE VI program for the next eight years with up to $800 million dollars a year, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I introduce the Old Post Office Development Act to make fully useful to the government the nearly empty Old Post Office a unique, historic treasure located at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., owned by the Federal government's General Services Administration (GSA). For many years the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management has expressed concern about the waste and neglect of this valuable government site and has pressed the GSA to develop and use this building. The GSA recognized the need in 2004 and issued a Request for Expression of Interest for which it received many indications of interest. However, for no good or sufficient reason GSA has never proceeded to the next step. Because the building was designed as a Post Office in the 19th century, it's present design makes it virtually unusable without appropriate remodeling. During decades of underutilization the government has attempted to make the space suitable for office space, but its huge, cavernous central area on the main floor and the areas that surround the atrium could only accommodate a few very small agencies currently housed there, GSA has indicated that these agencies can be easily and economically relocated elsewhere in the District of Columbia. As we begin a new year, further delay in making use of a centrally located historic treasure can no longer be tolerated. Apparently, the private sector stepped forward when the GSA asked for indications of interest. GSA must respond without further delay. I will seek quick passage of this bill to assure that the taxpayers receive the value due long ago for this Federal site.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, one word more on this resolution introduced by Mr. Towns. I am Chair of the subcommittee with jurisdiction over GSA and, of course, its schedule. Perhaps the average person would believe that States would be in the same position as the United States Government because they buy a great deal of goods and services and the same kinds of costs and scale and efficiency which comes with ordering large amounts at the same time would come to States as well. That's not always the case, and even if it is, there is no State as large or that orders as much as the United States of America. And it does seem to me altogether appropriate that States and localities have the same access to the GSA schedule as the United States and its agencies have. This ability to use the schedule on which firms have precompeted so as to guarantee the best value hastens what can be an arduous period of competition. In my own district, I see that in an effort to make sure that a competition has properly occurred, there can often be many delays. We cannot, of course, in some respects get around those inherent delays, but with respect to many goods and services that are on the GSA schedule, if the efficiencies that we are able to provide for the government can also be provided to States and localities, the United States and the States together will be in better shape saving taxpayers money. Therefore, I strongly support this bill and ask other Members of the House to do so as well.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to yield such time as he may consume to my good friend, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield).

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3179) to amend title 40, United States Code, to authorize the use of Federal supply schedules for the acquisition of law enforcement, security, and certain other related items by State and local governments.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, years ago, nonprofits, mostly churches, fed people at Christmas and Thanksgiving. These nonprofits have become life-saving, year-round operations. What has occurred ironically over the past couple of years is a development that none of us anticipated, a shortage of food in these food banks of whatever description, and they come in part because of the efficiency of the food industry itself. The food industry itself has become increasingly, like many other industries in our country, increasingly efficient so that there is less food to give away. We greet and welcome that efficiency, and we understand the need for it, especially in the food industry where the profit margins are so narrow. At the same time, our agricultural industry has become increasingly efficient, and it is, of course, one of the most efficient industries in the country. The net effect of this is some food goes abroad. Very importantly is that there is less food that is excess food to give away, so that you have nonprofits throughout the country, some of them have been cited in the remarks of my colleagues because they are well known as having originated here, like the Capital Food Bank; Bread for the City; SOME, So Others May Eat; and not to mention the churches which were the first to step up and perform this service. We just have got to find a way to get what we know is excess food, that all of us understand, have seen, all of us know exists, to where that food is most needed; and I believe that of the many things we could do, the bill offered by Mrs. Emerson is certainly one way to begin to draw attention to what contractors may do as an act of goodwill, without incurring any burden on themselves. Indeed, it should be a great burden at a time like this to spoil or throw away any food. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega). (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to Mr. McGovern, the gentleman from Massachusetts, who led us earlier on this very issue and succeeded in getting increases in food stamps this very year.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4220, the Federal Food Donation Act, as amended, is a modest measure designed to help address the very large problem of hunger in America. In 2005, 25 million people in this country, including 9 million children, had to rely on soup kitchens and other charitable food programs to help meet their nutritional needs. Introduced by Representative Jo Ann Emerson, H.R. 4220 requires Federal agencies to include in their food service and space rental contracts a provision that would encourage contractors to donate any surplus food to nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to the hungry. This bill builds on the work of some innovative nonprofit organizations that have been conducting similar programs in the private sector. The bill also includes provisions that will ensure that costs of collecting, transporting and storing donated food would not be borne by the Federal Government and that executive agencies and contractors would be protected from civil or criminal liability. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Together we can feed America in this rich country. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4220) to encourage the donation of excess food to nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to food-insecure people in the United States in contracts entered into by executive agencies for the provision, service, or sale of food, as amended.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield).

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to rise in support of H.R. 4210, a bill designating the facility of the United States Post Office located at 401 Washington Avenue in Weldon, North Carolina, as the Dock M. Brown Post Office Building. H.R. 4210, which was introduced by Representative G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina on November 15, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on December 12. This measure has been cosponsored by 12 Members and has the support of the entire North Carolina congressional delegation. Dock Brown was a dutiful and loyal public servant to the City of Weldon, North Carolina. He was a teacher and served as principal for more than 30 years in the school system. In addition to his dedication to strengthening academia, Dock Brown also served 8 years as a Halifax County Commissioner, 2 years in the North Carolina House of Representatives for District Seven, 8 years as Commissioner on the Weldon town board, and served also on the State Agriculture Committee. The City of Weldon is greatly touched by his good work, his dedication and his efforts to strengthen their community. Mr. Speaker, I urge swift passage of this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4210) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 401 Washington Avenue in Weldon, North Carolina, as the ``Dock M. Brown Post Office Building''.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H. Res. 816, as amended, congratulating the Colorado Rockies on winning the National League Championship. H. Res. 816 was introduced by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Udall) on November 9, 2007, and reported from the Oversight Committee on December 12, 2007, as amended, by voice vote. This measure has been cosponsored by 54 Members. The Colorado Rockies defied the odds this year, winning the 2007 National League Championship and capturing the best hopes of Coloradans, and giving us all a reason to cheer for their success. Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for the recognition the Rockies' victory affords and urge swift passage of this bill.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 816) congratulating the Colorado Rockies on winning the National League Championship and playing in the 2007 World Series, as amended.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in consideration of H.R. 4342, designating the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 824 Manatee Avenue West in Bradenton, Florida, as the Dan Miller Post Office Building. H.R. 4342 was introduced by Representative Buchanan of Florida on December 10, 2007, was reported from the Oversight Committee on December 12, 2007, by voice vote. This measure has been cosponsored by the entire Florida delegation. Representative Dan Miller represented Florida's 13th District in this House from 1992 to 2002. Currently he is teaching at the University of South Florida and is developing the Manasota Institute of Public Policy and Leadership at the Sarasota Campus of the University of South Florida. Former Representative Miller's efforts in Congress as well as in academia have been greatly appreciated, and I urge swift passage of this bill. I reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4342) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 824 Manatee Avenue West in Bradenton, Florida, as the ``Dan Miller Post Office Building''.

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

Ms. NORTON

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I express once again the condolences of every Member of this House, and for that matter the commendation to our colleague for offering this commemoration to our colleague. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.