[Deschler-Brown Precedents, Volume 17, Chapters 34 - 40]
[Ch. 36. Ceremonies and Awards]
[§22. Dedication of Buildings and Structures]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
[Page 278-291]
CHAPTER 36
Ceremonies and Awards
Sec. 22. Dedication of Buildings and Structures
Congress has named certain buildings or structures after
individuals.(1) These include a Federal
building,(2) House Office Buildings,(3) and rooms
in the Capitol.(4)
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1. In 2001, the House amended Rule XXI to provide that ``It shall not
be in order to consider a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or
conference report that provides for the designation or
redesignation of a public work in honor of an individual then
serving as a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or
Senator.'' See 147 Cong. Rec. 25, 107th Cong. 1st Sess., Jan.
3, 2001 (H. Res. 5 Sec. 2(q)) and Rule XXI clause 6, House
Rules and Manual Sec. 1068a (2007).
2. See Sec. 22.1, infra.
3. See Sec. Sec. 22.4, 22.5, infra.
4. See Sec. 22.6, infra. -------------------
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Federal Building
Sec. 22.1 The House suspended the rules and passed a bill designating a
Federal building after a sitting Member.(1)
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1. Parliamentarian's Note: Consideration of this measure under
suspension of the rules rendered inapplicable any point of
order under Rule XXI, clause 6, House Rules and Manual,
Sec. 1068a (2007).
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On Oct. 7, 2002,(2) the following proceedings took
place:
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2. 148 Cong. Rec. 19387-89, 107th Cong. 2d Sess.
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[[Page 279]]
JOE SKEEN FEDERAL BUILDING
Mr. [Steven] LaTOURRETTE [of Ohio]. Mr. Speaker, I move to
suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5427) to designate the
Federal building located at Fifth and Richardson Avenues in
Roswell, New Mexico, as the ``Joe Skeen Federal Building''.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 5427
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DESIGNATION.
The Federal building located at Fifth and Richardson
Avenues in Roswell, New Mexico, shall be known and designated
as the ``Joe Skeen Federal Building''.
SEC. 2. REFERENCES.
Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper,
or other record of the United States to the Federal building
referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to
the ``Joe Skeen Federal Building''.
SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2003. . . .
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Brown of South
Carolina).(3) The question is on the motion offered by
the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5427.
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3. Henry E. Brown, Jr. (SC).
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The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Chestnut-Gibson Memorial Door
Sec. 22.2 The House suspended the rules and agreed to a concurrent
resolution designating the ``document entrance'' on the east plaza
of the Capitol as the ``Chestnut-Gibson Memorial Door'', in honor
of two Capitol Police officers slain in the line of
duty.(1)
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1. See Sec. 15 supra, for more information about the officers' deaths.
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On July 20, 1999,(2) the following proceedings took
place:
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2. 145 Cong. Rec. 16745-50, 106th Cong. 2d. Sess. See also Sec. 15,
infra; and Ch. 38, infra.
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Mr. [Bob] FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend
the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res.
158), as amended, designating the Document Door of the United
States Capitol as the ``Memorial Door''.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 158
Whereas on July 24, 1998, a lone gunman entered the United
States Capitol through the door known as the Document Door,
located on the first floor of the East Front;
Whereas Officer Jacob Joseph Chestnut was the first United
States Capitol Police officer to confront the gunman just
inside the Document Door and lost his life as a result;
Whereas Detective John Michael Gibson also confronted the
gunman and lost his life in the ensuing shootout;
Whereas the last shot fired by Detective John Gibson -- his
final act as an officer of the law -- finally brought down the
gunman and ended his deadly rampage;
[[Page 280]]
Whereas while the gunman's intentions are not fully known,
nor may ever be known, it is clear that he would have killed
more innocent people if United States Capitol Police Officer
Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson had not ended the
violent rampage;
Whereas the United States Capitol Police represent true
dedication and professionalism in their duties to keep the
United States Capitol and the Senate and House of
Representatives office buildings safe for all who enter them;
Whereas the United States Capitol shines as a beacon of
freedom and democracy all around the world;
Whereas keeping the sacred halls of the United States
Capitol, known as the People's House, accessible for all the
people of the United States and the world is a true testament
of Congress and of our Nation's dedication to upholding the
virtues of freedom;
Whereas the door near where this tragic incident took place
has been known as the Document Door; and
Whereas it is fitting and appropriate that the Document
Door henceforth be known as the Memorial Door in honor of
Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the door known as the Document Door and
located on the first floor of the East Front of the United
States Capitol is designated as the ``Memorial Door'' in honor
of Officer Jacob Joseph Chestnut and Detective John Michael
Gibson of the United States Capitol Police, who gave their
lives in the line of duty on July 24, 1998, near that door.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Calvert).(3) Pursuant
to the rule, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Franks) and the
gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Shows) each will control 20
minutes.
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3. Ken Calvert (CA).
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The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Franks).
Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
House Concurrent Resolution 158, as amended, introduced by the
Majority Whip, the Speaker, the Majority Leader, the Minority
Leader, the Minority Whip and other Members of both sides of the
aisle, designates the Document Door located on the first floor of
the east front of the Capitol as ``Memorial Door'', in honor of
Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson.
In my brief tenure of chairman of the subcommittee charged with
the responsibility of bringing to the House bills designating
Federal facilities in honor of individuals, I have considered it a
great pleasure to honor Americans who have distinguished themselves
in public service. A naming bill is often a capstone for those
fortunate to have bestowed upon them such an honor.
But this action that we take today, while richly deserved,
gives me no joy. This week is the first anniversary of an event
that we hope will never be repeated. Officer Chestnut became the
first Capitol Hill Police Officer killed in the line of duty.
Detective Gibson became the second.
Those few minutes on Friday, July 24, 1998 changed forever the
way we look and feel about the Document Door and the visitor's
entrance to the Capitol. The horror of senseless shootings that cut
short the lives of these officers will remain forever in the minds
of those who are alive today because of them.
[[Page 281]]
These two officers were ordinary men, and in those horrifying
minutes did extraordinary things. The action we take today reminds
us we should never forget the duty these officers swear to uphold.
We also need to remember particularly how fragile life is in the
face of the dangers that confront the fine men and women of the
Capitol Police. . . .
Capitol Police Headquarters Building
Sec. 22.3 The House suspended the rules and agreed to a concurrent
resolution redesignating the Capitol Police headquarters building
as the ``Eney, Chestnut, Gibson Memorial Building.''
On Oct. 15, 1998,(1) the following proceedings took
place:
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1. 144 Cong. Rec. 26486-88, 105th Cong. 2d Sess.
See also Sec. 15, supra; and Ch. 38, infra, for additional
information on the deaths of Capitol Police officers.
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Mr. [Jay] KIM [of California]. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend
the rules and concur in the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con.
Res. 120) to redesignate the United States Capitol Police
headquarters building located at 119 D Street, Northeast,
Washington, D.C., as the ``Eney, Chestnut, Gibson Memorial
Building.''
The Clerk read as follows:
S. Con. Res. 120
Whereas the United States Capitol Police force has
protected the Capitol and upheld the beacon of democracy in
America;
Whereas 3 officers of the United States Capitol Police have
lost their lives in the line of duty;
Whereas Sgt. Christopher Eney was killed on August 24,
1984, during a training exercise;
Whereas officer Jacob ``J.J.'' Chestnut was killed on July
24, 1998, while guarding his post at the Capitol; and
Whereas Detective John Gibson was killed on July 24, 1998,
while protecting the lives of visitors, staff, and the Office
of the Majority Whip of the House of Representatives: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives
concurring), That the United States Capitol Police headquarters
building located at 119 D Street, Northeast, Washington, D.C.,
shall be known and designated as the ``Eney, Chestnut, Gibson
Memorial Building''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore.(2) Pursuant to the rule,
the gentleman from California (Mr. Kim) and the gentleman from Ohio
(Mr. Traficant) each will control 20 minutes.
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2. Gil Gutknect (MN).
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The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Kim).
Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 120 redesignates the United States
Capitol Police Headquarter Building located at 119 D Street,
Northeast, Washington, D.C., as the Eney, Chestnut, Gibson Memorial
Building in honor of the three Capitol Police officers who made an
ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives in the line of service.
Officer Eney was killed in training exercises in August 1984.
Officers
[[Page 282]]
Chestnut and Gibson were struck down in the line of fire defending
the Members of this body, congressional staff and visitors just a
few weeks ago on July 24.
This certainly is a most fitting tribute to these fallen
heroes. I support the resolution and urge my colleagues to join me
in support.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. . . .
Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Gutknecht). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Kim) that the
House suspend the rules and concur in the Senate concurrent
resolution, S. Con. Res. 120.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate concurrent
resolution was concurred in.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
House Office Buildings
Sec. 22.4 A resolution was adopted under suspension of the rules to
designate House Annex 1 as the Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr., House Office
Building and House Annex 2 as the Gerald R. Ford House Office
Building.
On Sept. 10, 1990,(1) the following proceedings took
place:
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1. 136 Cong. Rec. 23632-35, 101st Cong. 2d Sess.
For general information about House office buildings, see
Ch. 4, supra.
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Mr. [Glenn M.] ANDERSON [of California]. Mr. Speaker, I move to
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 402)
designating two House of Representatives office buildings as the
``Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. House of Representatives Office Building''
and the ``Gerald R. Ford House of Representatives Office
Building,'' respectively, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 402
Resolved,
SECTION 1. DESIGNATIONS.
(a) Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. House of Representatives Office
Building. -- The House of Representatives office building
located at C Street and New Jersey Avenue, Southeast, in the
District of Columbia, and known as House of Representatives
Office Building Annex No. 1, shall be known and designated as
the ``Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. House of Representatives Office
Building''.
(b) Gerald R. Ford House of Representatives Office
Building. -- The House of Representatives office building
located at 3d and D Streets, Southwest, in the District of
Columbia, and known as House of Representatives Office
Building Annex No. 2, shall be known and designated as the
``Gerald R. Ford House of Representatives Office Building''.
SEC. 2. REFERENCES.
Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper,
or other record of the United States to a building referred
to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to the
building as designated in that section.
SEC. 3. STATUES.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives may purchase or
accept as a gift to the House of Representatives, for
permanent display in the appropriate building designated in
section 1, a suitable statue or bust of the individual for
whom the building is named. Such purchase or acceptance shall
be carried out--
(1) in the case of the building referred to in section
1(a), in consultation with the majority leader of the House
of Representatives; and
(2) in the case of the building referred to in section
1(b), in consultation with the minority leader of the House
of Representatives.
[[Page 283]]
The SPEAKER pro tempore.(2) Pursuant to the rule, a
second is not required on this motion.
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2. Romano L. Mazzoli (KY).
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The gentleman from California [Mr. Anderson] will be recognized
for 20 minutes, and the gentleman from Arkansas [Mr. Hammerschmidt]
will be recognized for 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California [Mr.
Anderson].
Mr. ANDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation being brought to the House floor
for consideration today would result in an important and
appropriate tribute to two former Members of the House: Speaker
Thomas P. (Tip) O'Neill, Jr. and President Gerald R. Ford. . . .
Mr. ANDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. (Mr. Mazzoli). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from California [Mr. Anderson] that
the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, House
Resolution 402.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
Sec. 22.5 Members were invited to include personal messages or other
writings in the copper box to be sealed in the cornerstone of the
Rayburn House Office Building.
On May 24, 1962,(1) the President and the Speaker of the
House participated in laying the cornerstone of the Rayburn House
Office Building. The proceedings were as follows:
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1. 108 Cong. Rec. 9119, 9120, 87th Cong. 2d Sess.
The proceedings commenced at 10:30 o'clock, a.m.
Mr. STEWART.(2) Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, honored
guests, ladies and gentlemen, we have met today to lay the
cornerstone of the Rayburn House Office Building. I welcome each of
you to the ceremony, and express the hope that in the years to come
those who labor in this building will pause occasionally and pay
tribute to the Honorable Sam Rayburn, whose great leadership and
foresight made this structure possible.
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2. J. George Stewart, Architect of the Capitol.
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At this time I will ask the Reverend Bernard Braskamp, D.D.,
Chaplain of the House of Representatives, to offer the invocation.
invocation
Mr. BRASKAMP. Let us pray. . . .
Hear us in the name of the Prince of Peace. Amen.
Mr. STEWART. I now have the great honor to introduce to this
assembly the Honorable John W. McCormack, Speaker of the House of
Representatives, and also Chairman of the House Office Building
Commission. Speaker McCormack. [Applause.]
remarks by speaker mccormack
The SPEAKER. Mr. President, Mr. Chief Justice, reverend clergy,
my distinguished colleagues of both branches of the Congress,
ladies and gentlemen:
[[Page 284]]
As great Americans of the past have contributed to the making
and stabilizing of our Constitution, now the oldest Constitution on
earth, a living, dynamic organism representing the hopes and the
national objectives of our people, so did our late friend, Speaker
Sam Rayburn, make his contributions during his long and honored
public career. . . .
This building will always be a living monument to his memory, a
constant reminder to present and future legislators that Speaker
Sam Rayburn was a legislator's legislator.
We are signally honored in having with us today the Chief
Executive of our country, a former colleague of ours, and a
personal friend and strong admirer of Sam Rayburn. Under our
Constitution the President represents and symbolizes the hopes and
aspirations of our people and the national objectives of our
country. With the wisdom he gained by his service in both branches
of the Congress, the people have complete confidence in him and his
courageous qualities of leadership. How happy is Sam Rayburn in the
Great Beyond in the knowledge that President John F. Kennedy is
with us on this occasion.
I have the great honor and personal privilege of presenting to
you the President of the United States. [Applause, the audience
rising.]
remarks by the president of the united states
The PRESIDENT. I thank you.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, Members of the House and
Senate, I appreciate very much the opportunity to join you in
dedicating this building today to Speaker Sam Rayburn. We say in
this country that ours is a Government of laws, and not of men; and
it is in that sense that we strive for equality and integrity in
the administration of Government and of justice. But this is also a
Government of man, and it needs men of particular talents to make
this system of ours work. . . .
This ceremony, this edifice, this assembly of public servants
from all branches of Government, all States, and all parties pay
homage to the memory of Speaker Sam Rayburn.
No monument, no memorial, no statue would please him half so
much, I believe, as to have his name preserved here in this fashion
on Capitol Hill. The Congress was his life, the House was his home.
He served far longer than any who preceded him, but with
distinction and wisdom as well. He preferred to preside over this
body to any place of prestige or power.
As a former Member of the House of Representatives, I join with
all of you in saying that while he may be long missed, he will not
be forgotten. Our task is to carry on the work to which he was so
deeply dedicated.
Thank you. [Applause, the audience rising.]
a reading
Mr. STEWART. At this time, Dr. Norman Gerstenfeld, rabbi of the
Washington Hebrew Congregation, will give a reading. Dr.
Gerstenfeld.
Dr. GERSTENFELD. Mindful of our experience at the last
inaugural, I have attempted extreme brevity. This is a reading,
this is not a prayer; this is a reading from the morning service of
the Union Prayer Book[.] . . .
[[Page 285]]
the laying of the cornerstone
Mr. STEWART. We will now proceed with the laying of the
cornerstone.
Thereupon, at 10 o'clock and 40 minutes a.m., the Speaker of
the House, the Honorable John W. McCormack, laid the cornerstone.
benediction
Mr. STEWART. The Very Reverend Monsignor Edward J. Herrmann,
assistant chancellor of the Archdiocese of Washington, will
pronounce the benediction. . . .
Mr. STEWART. This concludes the ceremony. I thank you all for
coming.
Thereupon (at 10 o'clock and 49 minutes a.m.) the ceremony was
concluded. -------------------
CORNERSTONE OF THE RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
Mr. [Carl] ALBERT [of Oklahoma]. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous
consent to address the House for 1 minute.
Mr. SPEAKER. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman
from Oklahoma?
There was no objection.
Mr. ALBERT. Mr. Speaker, the copper box that will be sealed
into the cornerstone of the Rayburn House Office Building will be
placed in the Speaker's Lobby on May 28, 29, and 30, 1962, and
during that period Members of the House of Representatives may
deposit in the box any message, signature, or other writing which
they wish to have preserved for posterity, in an envelope not to
exceed the size of a postal card.
It is requested that each Member deposit only one message.
Rooms of the Capitol
Sec. 22.6 The Speaker took the floor following adoption of a resolution
naming a room in the Capitol after him to express his gratitude for
the action by the House.
On Oct. 9, 1986,(1) the following proceedings took
place:
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1. 132 Cong. Rec. 29952-54, 99th Cong. 2d. Sess.
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DESIGNATING ROOM H-324 IN THE CAPITOL AS THE THOMAS P O'NEILL,
JR. ROOM
Mr. [James C.] WRIGHT [Jr., of Texas]. Mr. Speaker, I send to
the desk a resolution (H. Res. 582) designating room H-324 in the
Capitol, as the Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. Room, and ask unanimous
consent for its immediate consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Moakley).(2) The Clerk
will report the resolution.
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2. John Joseph Moakley (MA).
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The Clerk read the resolution as follows:
H. Res. 582
Resolved, That room H-324 on the third floor of the House
part of Capitol is hereby designed the Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr.
Room.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of
the gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection. . . .
[[Page 286]]
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the
table. -------------------
DESIGNATION OF THE THOMAS P. O'NEILL, JR. ROOM
(Mr. WRIGHT asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute.)
Mr. WRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, little needs be said. A very few rooms
in the Capitol on the House side have been officially designated by
the House to honor individuals who are so much a part of our
institution that their names will forever epitomize the heart and
soul of the United States of House of Representatives.
One of those people, clearly, is Thomas P. ``Tip'' O'Neill, Jr.
As long as free men and women live and serve in this Chamber -- the
most democratic, in the sense of a little ``d,'' of all
institutions of Government -- the memory of Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr.,
will live and thrive and survive to inspire us and future
generations of public servants.
Therefore, it seems appropriate to me, and I know to all of our
colleagues on both sides of the aisle will surely agree, that it is
a fitting tribute for us this day to designate officially the room
on the third floor of the House side of the Capitol as the Thomas
P. O'Neill, Jr. Room. -------------------
THE THOMAS P. O'NEILL, JR., ROOM IN PERPETUITY
(Mr. MICHEL asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute.)
Mr. [Robert H.] MICHEL [of Illinois]. Mr. Speaker, may I simply
associate myself with the very appropriate remarks of the
distinguished majority leader, the gentleman from Texas [Mr.
Wright].
But not being privy to where the recesses of this Capitol all
are, cubby-holes or ornate rooms and all the rest, might I inquire
of the distinguished majority leader if this room, so appropriately
named for Thomas P. O'Neill, is sufficiently large enough in size
and befitting to accommodate what we normally expect for the
Speaker of the House?
Mr. WRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. MICHEL. I yield to the gentleman from Texas.
Mr. WRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, it is a spacious and gracious room,
ample in its proportions, warm in its hospitality. It is on the
third floor, just opposite the Visitors' Gallery, where the public
may see it, and where a sign may forever proclaim it as the Thomas
P. O'Neill, Jr. Room.
Mr. MICHEL. I definitely thank the gentleman for that
explanation.
Might I assure the gentleman from Texas, and of course, the
Speaker himself, that when that great day comes when we on the
Republican side have a majority in this House, it shall remain the
Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr.
Room. -------------------
{time} 1030
EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE FROM THE SPEAKER
(Mr. O'NEILL asked and was given permission to address the
House for 1 minute.)
[[Page 287]]
Mr. O'NEILL. Mr. Speaker, I want to tell all of you how
grateful I am for having a room named after me in this building. .
. .
Parliamentarian's Note: No House precedent was discernable on the
authority of the House by simple resolution to name a room in the
Capitol. The Committee on Appropriations has designated a room under
its control the Mahon Room; and the East Front Commission designated
the Rayburn Room. The Architect of the Capitol advised the
Parliamentarian that several rooms on the Senate side of the Capitol
had been named after Senators pursuant to Senate resolution. Under Rule
I clause 3,(3) the Speaker controls rooms in the Capitol
assigned to the House, but the naming of those rooms should be by House
action.(4)
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3. House Rules and Manual Sec. 623 (2007).
4. See, e.g., 152 Cong. Rec. 22267-22269, 109th Cong. 2d Sess., Dec.
5, 2006 (H. Res. 1087); 149 Cong. Rec. 5827, 108th Cong. 1st
Sess., Mar. 11, 2003 (H. Res. 19); 146 Cong. Rec. 7818-22,
106th Cong. 2d Sess., May 15, 2000 (H. Res. 491); 136 Cong.
Rec. 34164, 34165, 101st Cong. 2d Sess., Oct. 25, 1990 (H. Res.
525).
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Independence Hall in Philadelphia
Sec. 22.7 By House resolution, the Speaker was authorized to appoint a
delegation to attend the dedication of the restored Assembly Room
at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
On June 17, 1965,(1) Mr. William A. Barrett, of
Pennsylvania, called up House Resolution 426, and asked for its
immediate consideration. The proceedings were as follows:
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1. 111 Cong. Rec. 13956, 89th Cong. 1st Sess.
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Mr. BARRETT. Mr. Speaker, I call up House Resolution 426 and
ask for its immediate consideration.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
Resolved, That the Speaker of the House of Representatives
is authorized to appoint eight Members of the House of
Representatives as a delegation to attend the dedication of the
historic Assembly Room of Independence Hall, to be held in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 28, 1965, at the invitation
of the city of Philadelphia, and to designate the chairman of
said delegation.
Sec. 2. The expenses of the delegation shall not exceed
1,000 and shall be paid from the contingent fund of the House
upon vouchers signed by the chairman of the delegation and
approved by the Committee on House Administration.
The resolution was agreed to.(2)
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2. Parliamentarian's Note: The Speaker originated action on this
resolution following receipt of a letter from the mayor of
Philadelphia, requesting that a delegation from the House be
appointed to attend this historic dedication.
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[[Page 288]]
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
East Front of the Capitol
Sec. 22.8 Proceedings held during the ground-breaking ceremony for the
extension of the East Front of the Capitol.
On Feb. 24, 1959,(1) a ground-breaking ceremony was held
for the extension of the East Front of the Capitol. The proceedings
were as follows:
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1. 105 Cong. Rec. 2850, 2851, 86th Cong. 1st Sess.
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Mr. [Homer] THORNBERRY [of Texas]. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous
consent that I may insert in the Record at this point the
proceedings of the ground-breaking ceremony at the east front of
the Capitol today.
The SPEAKER.(2) Is there objection to the request of
the gentleman from Texas?
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2. Sam Rayburn (TX).
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There was no objection.
(The matter referred to follows:)
Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the Extension of the East Front of
the Capitol, Tuesday, February 24, 1959, 11 a.m.
The Architect of the Capitol, J. George Stewart, acted as
master of ceremonies.
Mr. Stewart. To the honored Members of the Congress, our
neighbors on Capitol Hill, the distinguished members of the
Supreme Court, their assistants, officials of the Library of
Congress, and ladies and gentlemen, a warm welcome.
In undertaking this historic ground-breaking ceremony, it
is proper that we should invoke the blessing of the Divine
Providence. I ask the Chaplain of the House of Representatives,
the Reverend Bernard Braskamp, to offer an invocation.
The Rev. Bernard Braskamp, D.D., Chaplain of the House of
Representatives, offered the . . . prayer[.] . . .
To Thy name we ascribe all the praise and glory. Amen.
Mr. Stewart. It is my high honor, and personal privilege,
to present a member of the Commission for the Extension of the
United States Capitol, the Honorable Everett McKinley
Dirksen,(3) the minority leader, U.S. Senate.
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3. Everett McKinley Dirksen (IL).
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Mr. Dirksen. Mr. Chairman, distinguished guests, ladies and
gentlemen, I presume that any modification of a historic shrine
and structure that has over the generations insinuated itself
into the hearts and into the affections of the people brings a
clash between sentiment and necessity. And, oddly enough, I
think a case can be made for both sides. On the sentimental
side, and I use the term most advisedly, I think of it in terms
of reverence, devotion, and respect for those things that are a
part of the great pageantry of this Republic which have become
so deeply instilled into the hearts of the people. I believe
that sentiment, when the time comes to make a modification of
one of our shrines, is a polite and good and felicitous
deterrent, so that we do not act too hastily and too fast. . .
.
So today I have come here to use the spade, and to turn the
first piece of ground, hoping that in January 1961 -- and I
have been promised that as much as anyone could be promised
anything -- the incoming President of the United States will
walk through a hall just above us
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and will be inaugurated on the steps of the new east front of
the Capitol.
(The Speaker thereupon took the silver spade and broke the
ground.)
benediction
Mr. Stewart. The Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, the Reverend
Frederick Brown Harris, will now pronounce the benediction. . .
.
(Thereupon the ground-breaking ceremonies were concluded.)
On June 23, 1959,(4) Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas, laid
before the House an announcement advising that cornerstone laying
ceremonies for the Capitol's East Front extension would be held on July
4, 1959. The following proceedings occurred:
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4. 105 Cong. Rec. 11669, 11670, 86th Cong. 1st Sess.
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The SPEAKER laid before the House the following announcement:
J. George Stewart, Architect of the Capitol, announced
today, on behalf of the Commission for the Extension of the
U.S. Capitol, that the cornerstone of the East Front Extension
of the U.S. Capitol will be laid by the Honorable Dwight D.
Eisenhower, President of the United States, with Masonic
ceremonies, at 12 o'clock, noon, Saturday, July 4, 1959. The
members of the Commission are Speaker Sam Rayburn, Chairman,
Vice President Richard M. Nixon, Senator Everett McKinley
Dirksen, Representatives Charles A. Halleck, and J. George
Stewart. July 4th commemorates the date on which President
Millard Fillmore laid the cornerstone of the House and Senate
wings of the U.S. Capitol in 1851. The Masonic ceremonies will
commemorate the ceremonies held not only at that cornerstone
laying, but also at the laying of the cornerstone of the
original section of the Capitol Building, September 18, 1793,
by President George Washington.
When the first column in the portico of the extended East Front of
the Capitol was to be installed, the Speaker, on May 24,
1960,(5) announced the date for the installation and invited
Members to witness the installation:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. 106 Cong. Rec. 10966, 86th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. RAYBURN. As chairman of the Commission for Extension of the
U.S. Capitol, I wish to invite the members, officers, and employees
of the House of Representatives to witness the setting in place of
the first large marble column in the portico of the extended east
central front of the Capitol, at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, May 26, 1960.
This is a historic occasion in which I feel each Member will be
deeply interested. You are invited to enter the construction area
at the door to the fenced enclosure just north of the entrance to
the House wing, from where you will be directed to a safe and
appropriate vantage point.
The old records indicate that the original sandstone columns
were erected in 1824 and that the stonecutters at the Capitol
participated in a procession and exhibit celebrating July 4, 1824.
The new columns are duplicates of the originals except that
they are of Georgia white marble instead of sandstone. They are
monolithic, weigh about 18 tons each, are 24 in number, and are 24
feet 9 inches high. The columns are of the Corinthian order and
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taper uniformly from a diameter of 3 feet at the base to 2 feet 6
inches at the top.
The original columns were designed by Charles Bulfinch in
carrying out the overall plan for the east portico prepared by, his
predecessor, Benjamin H. Latrobe. Mr. Latrobe and Mr. Bulfinch were
the second and third Architects of the Capitol, respectively.
The column to be set on Thursday, May 26, will be the one
located immediately to the southeast of the main entrance leading
to the rotunda.
On the legislative day of Aug. 31, 1960,(6) the Speaker
announced the ceremonies to be held in connection with the raising of
the first flag over the extended East Central Front of the Capitol:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. 106 Cong. Rec. 18906, 86th Cong. 2d Sess. (Calendar Day Sept. 2,
1960).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The SPEAKER. The Chair desires to announce that a brief
ceremony will be held on Friday, September 2, 1960, at 10 a.m., in
connection with the raising of the first flag over the extended
east central front of the U.S. Capitol. Members and their staffs
are cordially invited to attend this ceremony.
In the Senate, on Aug. 31, 1960,(7) Senate Majority
Leader Lyndon B. Johnson, of Texas, advised that a press release
concerning the flag raising had been issued by the Speaker of the
House, and referred the Speaker's invitation to all Members, officers,
and employees of both Houses of Congress to attend the ceremony:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. 106 Cong. Rec. 18506, 86th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. President, on Friday, September 2, at
10 a.m., the first flag will be raised over the extended east front
of the U.S. Capitol.
For the information of the Members of the Senate, there will be
a brief ceremony at that time. The U.S. Marine Band will be present
and the Marine Corps will provide a color guard.
Speaker Rayburn has invited all Members, officers, and
employees of both branches of Congress to attend the ceremonies. I
ask unanimous consent that a press release issued by the Speaker of
the House be printed at this point in the Record.
There being no objection, the press release was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
Speaker Sam Rayburn, Chairman of the Commission for
Extension of the U.S. Capitol, announced today that a brief
ceremony would be held on Friday, September 2, 1960, at 10
a.m., in connection with the raising of the first flag over the
extended east central front of the U.S. Capitol.
The U.S. Marine Band will play selections from 9:45 to 10
a.m. The U.S. Marine Corps will provide a color guard, the
members of which will lower the flag from the temporary pole
installed in the peristyle of the dome during construction
(when the old east front and old flagpole were removed about 2
years ago) and will raise a new flag over the extended east
front. The color guard will receive the new flag from the
Speaker of the House and proceed up the main central steps and
through the Capitol to the roof. As they ascend the steps, the
band will
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play ``America the Beautiful.'' As the flag is raised for the
first time on the permanent pole located on the roof of the
extended east front, and as, simultaneously, the flag on the
temporary pole is lowered a trumpter will sound ``To the
Colors.''
The band will then play ``The Star Spangled Banner'' and in
conclusion, ``Stars and Stripes Forever.''
Speaker Rayburn invites Members, officers, and employees of
the Senate and House of Representatives, and the general public
to attend the ceremonies to be held in the area immediately in
front of the main east central steps.