NORTON TO GET BRIEFING AFTER OBJECTING TO PROPOSED SECURITY FOR JEFFERSON - January 11, 2005

Washington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton will be briefed tomorrow (January 12, 2005) by the National Park Service (NPS) about proposed security changes at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. Norton has voiced strong objections to the measures. Proposals include anti-vehicle barriers that could mar the appearance of the Memorial and the closing of the adjacent parking lot. She said, “Millions of people come to D.C. every year just to see the Jefferson Memorial, especially at Cherry Blossom time. There is no Metro to get visitors there. The Park Service plan does not appear to have the proper balance among tour buses and other vehicles. With appropriate technology and state of the art thinking about security, we should be able to protect the Memorial without changing its appearance and making it harder to get to than it is today.” Norton works closely with NPS and hopes to work with officials on alternatives.