Norton's Old Post Office Bill on its Way to Senate for Quick Passage after 10-Year Struggle 6/23/08

Washington, D.C. - This afternoon the Congress passed Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton's (D-DC) Old Post Office Development Act, concluding the Congresswoman's ten-year struggle with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the General Services Administration (GSA) to proceed with efforts to develop the almost vacant iconic treasure at 11th and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. The bill was passed on the non-controversial suspension calendar, and Norton is already at work on a speedy Senate vote. She introduced H.R. 5001 to compel action that GSA should have taken administratively and to overcome delays since 1998 and particularly since 2004 when a George Washington University student was killed outside the Old Post Office (OPO) after a rental event.

"Years of neglect of this historic treasure, on the National Historic Register, have led to dangerous situations and billions of dollars in federal funds wasted," Norton said. "The action we took today begins a new and more hopeful period for 20 million visitors who will see a structure whose interior is useful and in keeping with its grand interior. The building will add another truly significant site to benefit tourism in this city."

Also passed on the House floor today was Congresswoman Norton's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Act, creating opportunities for jurisdictions to prepare in advance for all types of disasters. In April, Norton held a hearing on the bill that provides technical and financial assistance to states and local governments after a GAO report demonstrated that it saves both lives and money. The Act would reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage to property that otherwise would be caused by natural or terrorist hazards. "Federal spending following a major disaster must occur and often involves massive investment," Norton said. "Pre-disaster mitigation saves three dollars for every one dollar investment, according to the Congressional Budget Office." Norton said that she hopes that the District will seek funds to mitigate harm to our revenue and to tourism in the event of flooding in the areas around the Mall and the Federal Triangle, which FEMA has warned could one day face a hundred-year flood." The lesson has been learned, particularly following Katrina, but not sufficiently, considering the areas being ravaged by floods as this bill goes to the floor," Norton said. "It's past time for the federal, state, and local governments to get smart about when investment should occur," Norton said.