H.R. 5294House108th Congress (2003-2005)Enacted

John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2004

Legislative Activity

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13 earlier actions

Became Law Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 108-410.

October 30, 2004

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 8, 2004

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

October 8, 2004

HouseCommittee

Committee on Transportation discharged.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

October 8, 2004

HouseFloor

Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H9026-9027)

October 8, 2004 • 10:58 PM

HouseFloor

Mr. LaTourette asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.

October 8, 2004 • 10:58 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H9026-9027)

October 8, 2004 • 10:58 PM

HouseFloor

On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H9026-9027)

October 8, 2004 • 10:58 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

October 8, 2004 • 10:58 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate, read twice.

October 9, 2004

SenateFloor

Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S11271)

October 11, 2004

SenateFloor

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

October 12, 2004

President

Presented to President.

October 19, 2004

Became Law

Signed by President.

October 30, 2004

Became Law

Became Public Law No: 108-410.

October 30, 2004

Floor Debate

4 members

What members said about H.R. 5294 on the floor

3 Republicans1 Democrat

Rep. James L. OberstarD-MN-8 · Oct 8, 2004

Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I yield to the chairman of the subcommittee for an explanation of the measure before us. Further reserving the right to object, Mr. Speaker, I compliment…

Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I yield to the chairman of the subcommittee for an explanation of the measure before us.

Further reserving the right to object, Mr. Speaker, I compliment the chairman of the subcommittee for his diligent work in shepherding this bill through this historic moment.

He has been a dedicated and informed and forthright leader of the subcommittee and on the issues under its jurisdiction, particularly those relating to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

For the last decade, as a member of the Board of Trustees, I have watched firsthand the center undertake major capital projects, renovating the theaters, creating state-of-the-art concert halls, the Opera House, replacing a badly deteriorated roof.

Throughout all these major capital maintenance renovation construction projects, the center opened every day of the year and welcomed over 5 million visitors and has stayed true to its mission as a national cultural arts center and a living memorial to our 35th President.

The chairman has described the principal features of the bill. What I want to emphasize, however, is the great difficulty of running this incredible living memorial and arts center while managing the major construction initiatives. The Kennedy Center, in doing so, and the chairman I know agrees with this position, must improve its construction management.

The General Accounting Office reviewed the Kennedy Center's operation and found that the Center needs, one, to develop policy and procedures to guide the plans and management of its construction projects; two, ensure that its construction contractors provide schedule and cost information in a timely fashion; and three, invest in the key human capital resources and the expertise to manage better its construction projects.

The Center has made progress. The chairman has held hearings on this matter, and we greatly appreciate those hearings. They reveal that the Center needs to do much better.

Just last month, GAO reported that the Center has not updated its building plan each year as the law requires. The building plan does not explain how the Kennedy Center prioritizes its capital projects. It fails to provide adequate information on project-specific status, updates and budgets so that we in the Congress and the board of trustees will have the information necessary to ensure that the Center's capital projects are well managed.

I think this legislation, by requiring further steps to strengthen the construction management process, will move the Kennedy Center forward in directions that we feel are important, and for that, I thank the chairman for his vigilance and greatly appreciate the partnership.

Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Sen. James M. InhofeR-OK · Oct 11, 2004

Mr. President, I rise in support of the passage of HR 5294--the ``John F. Kennedy Center Reauthorization Act of 2004.'' As Chairman of the Senate Committee with jurisdiction over the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, I am pleased that, working closely with the Kennedy Center, we were able to reach an agreement with the House of Representatives. This legislation authorizes funding for the maintenance, repair and security, as well as capital projects through Fiscal Year 2007. Additionally, the legislation revises the John F. Kennedy Center Plaza Authorization Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a Center Plaza

Project Team consisting of the Secretary, the Administrator of General Services, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, or their designees, and other individuals the Project Team considers appropriate. The Board is required to consult with the Project Team on specified matters, including construction of buildings.

I wish to recognize Marty Hall and Andrew Wheeler of my Committee staff for their work on this legislation. I also wish thank Michael Kaiser, President of the Kennedy Center for his support for this bill. Mr. Kaiser has done an outstanding job of making the Kennedy Center a world class operation and center for the performing arts. Mr. Kaiser is responsible not only for the artistic programming, he is also the person charged with ensuring its financial health. By any measure, he has been very successful in both ventures. I would also like to express my appreciation to Kennedy Center staff, specifically Jared Barlage and Ann Stock, who have worked very closely with my staff in developing this legislation.

From its very beginnings, the Kennedy Center has represented a unique public/private partnership. Because the Center is the Nation's living memorial to President Kennedy, it receives federal funding each year to pay for maintenance and operation of the building, a federal facility. However, the Center's artistic programs and education and outreach initiatives are paid for almost entirely through ticket sales and gifts from individuals, corporations, and private foundations. I am pleased that we can send this legislation to President Bush and continue the good work of this valued institution.

Rep. Steven C. LaTouretteR-OH-14 · Oct 8, 2004

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 5294) to amend the John F. Kennedy Center Act…

Sen. Jeff SessionsR-AL · Oct 11, 2004

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to consideration of H.R. 5294, which is at the desk. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read a third time and passed, the motion to…

Bill Text

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Enrolled BillPublication date not provided

        [Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5294 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

H.R.5294

One Hundred Eighth Congress

of the

United States of America

AT THE SECOND SESSION

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
the twentieth day of January, two thousand and four

An Act

To amend the John F. Kennedy Center Act to authorize appropriations for
the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and for other
purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``John F. Kennedy Center
Reauthorization Act of 2004''.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Section 13 of the John F. Kennedy Center Act (20 U.S.C. 76r) is
amended by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the
following:
``(a) Maintenance, Repair, and Security.--There are authorized to
be appropriated to the Board to carry out section 4(a)(1)(H)--
``(1) $17,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; and
``(2) $18,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005, 2006, and
2007.
``(b) Capital Projects.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
the Board to carry out subparagraphs (F) and (G) of section 4(a)(1)--
``(1) $16,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; and
``(2) $18,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005, 2006, and
2007.''.

SEC. 3. JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER PLAZA.

(a) Responsibilities of the Secretary.--Section 12(b) of the John
F. Kennedy Center Act (20 U.S.C. 76q-1(b)) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(6) Project team.--
``(A) Establishment.--To further construction of the
Project, the Secretary shall establish a Project Team.
``(B) Membership.--The Project Team shall be composed of
the following members:
``(i) The Secretary (or the Secretary's designee).
``(ii) The Administrator of General Services (or the
Administrator's designee).
``(iii) The Chairman of the Board (or the Chairman's
designee).
``(iv) Such other individuals as the Project Team
considers appropriate.
``(C) Project director.--The Project Team shall have a
Project Director who shall be appointed by the Secretary, in
consultation with the Administrator of General Services and the
Chairman of the Board. The Project Director shall report
directly to the Project Team.''.
(b) Responsibilities of the Board.--
(1) In general.--Section 12(c)(1) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 76q-
1(c)(1)) is amended by inserting ``, in consultation with the
Project Team,'' after ``The Board''.
(2) Construction of buildings.--Section 12(c)(3) of such Act
(20 U.S.C. 76q-1(c)(3)) is amended by inserting ``, in consultation
with the Project Team,'' after ``The Board''.
(3) Approval by project team.--Section 12(c) of such Act (20
U.S.C. 76q-1(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Approval by project team.--Notwithstanding section 5(e),
any decision by the Board that will significantly affect, as
determined by the Project Team in consultation with the Board, the
scope, cost, schedule, or engineering feasibility of any element of
the Project, other than buildings to be constructed on the Plaza,
shall be subject to the approval of the Project Team.''.
(c) GAO Review.--Section 12 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 76q-1) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(g) GAO Review.--Until completion of the Project, the Comptroller
General shall review the management and oversight of construction of
the Project by the Board and report periodically on the results of the
review to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate.''.

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.