To authorize the Administrator of General Services to convey a parcel of real property in Galveston, Texas, to the Galveston Historical Foundation.

Madam Speaker, on June 26, 2010, the Galveston Historical Foundation will celebrate its acquisition of the historic 1861 U.S. Custom House. I was pleased to help make this possible by sponsoring legislation, H.R. 2121, which directed the General Services Administration (GSA) to sell the Custom House to the Galveston Historical Foundation. H.R. 2121 passed the House by voice vote on September 9, 2009. It is therefore a great pleasure to extend my congratulations to the Galveston Historical Foundation for acquiring the U.S. Custom House.

The U.S. Custom House is the oldest non-military federal building in Galveston. The two-story structure was built in 1861 and has served many important historical functions, including housing the ceremony that officially ended the Civil War in Galveston. In 1917, construction began on a federal courtroom located on the second floor of the U.S. Custom House. In 1970, the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1974 it was commemorated as a Historic Custom House by the U.S. Customs Service.

In 1998, the Galveston Historical Foundation entered into a public- private partnership with the Federal Government that allowed the Galveston Historical Foundation to lease the

building from the GSA. Under this agreement, the Galveston Historical Foundation took responsibility for performing renovations on the U.S. Custom House. In 2008, the house was inundated with six feet of flood waters from Hurricane Ike. Fortunately, the Galveston Historical Foundation has been able to complete restoration of the first floor of the Custom House earlier this year.

Madam Speaker, by owning as opposed to leasing, the Galveston Historical Foundation will be able to improve this historical structure for future generations of Texans. It is difficult to think of a more appropriate owner for the U.S. Custom House than the Galveston Historical Foundation. Founded in 1954, the Galveston Historical Foundation is one of the Nation's largest local preservation organizations. Over the last 56 years, this foundation has expanded its mission to encompass community redevelopment, public education, historic preservation advocacy, maritime preservation and stewardship of historic properties. Today, the Galveston Historical Foundation has over 2,000 members representing individuals, families, and businesses across Texas, the U.S., and around the world.

The Galveston Historical Foundation's accomplishments include the redevelopment of The Strand; the rescue and restoration of the 1877 iron barque the ELISSA; the revitalization of historic residential neighborhoods and creation of historic districts; and the conception of signature events including Dickens on The Strand and the Galveston Historic Homes Tour.

The Galveston Historical Foundation has received numerous awards and honors. For example, they have twice received the National Trust for Historic Preservation's prestigious Honor Award. In 1991, the Galveston Historical Foundation was the first recipient of the Governor's Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation, and in 1995, received the National Trust's first ever award for organizational excellence. The American Institute of Architects has presented the foundation a Citation of Honor for its ongoing contribution to urban design and the quality of life in Galveston. In addition, the Association for Preservation Technology International honored the Galveston Historical Foundation with a Presidential Citation in 2004.

In conclusion, Madam Speaker, I once again congratulate the Galveston Historical Foundation for acquiring the U.S. Custom House, and I extend my thanks to the Galveston Historical Foundation for all they do to preserve Galveston's rich heritage.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2121) to provide for the transfer of certain Federal property to the Galveston Historical Foundation, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 2121.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 2121, as amended, authorizes the Administrator of General Services to convey a parcel of real property located at 502 20th Street in Galveston, Texas, to the Galveston Historical Foundation subject to certain requirements, but not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the bill.

The bill was introduced by Congressman Paul. The building is the U.S. Custom House and is currently occupied by the historical foundation, which has a long-term lease on the facility. In 1998, the historical foundation signed a cooperative agreement with the General Services Administration to permit the foundation to lease and rehabilitate the building. Despite a dedicated and unanimous commitment to preservation, the building is not well suited for Federal tenants and the needs that we have for modern office space.

This bill allows the Galveston Historical Society to purchase the building outright at fair market value as determined by the administrator. The proceeds will be deposited into the Federal building fund. The General Services Administration supports the bill, and I strongly urge its passage as Chair of the Subcommittee.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2121, as amended, authorizes the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) to transfer to the Galveston Historical Foundation the Federal property located at 502 20th St. Galveston, Texas.

The parcel of real property is the 1861 U.S. Custom House, one of the oldest buildings in Galveston, Texas, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. The Galveston Historical Foundation was incorporated in 1954, and has since cultivated its work to cover community redevelopment, public education, historic preservation advocacy, maritime preservation, and stewardship of historic properties on Galveston Island. To date, the Galveston Historical Foundation has more than 2,000 members and has twice been awarded the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Honor Award.

In 1998, GSA and the Galveston Historical Foundation entered into a long-term lease agreement with respect to the 1861 U.S. Custom House. In exchange for the Galveston Historical Society rehabilitating the historical building, it was granted a long-term lease. This bill allows the Galveston Historical Society to purchase the building outright.

H.R. 2121 would convey the property at fair market value to the Galveston Historical Foundation. The proceeds will be deposited into the Federal Building Fund.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2121.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Environment and Public Works Committee be discharged from further consideration of the following bills, all en bloc: H.R. 2913, H.R. 1687, H.R. 2053, H.R. 2498, and H.R. 2121; that the bills be read a third time and passed, en bloc, with the motions to reconsider laid upon the table.

Mr. Speaker, I also support this resolution by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Paul). The chairwoman has done a great job explaining what it does, and I would urge my colleagues to do the same.

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