Rod Grams: “In addition, my resolution has the strong support of more than a dozen of the area's residential, business, and…”

“In addition, my resolution has the strong support of more than a dozen of the area's residential, business, and historical organizations representing thousands of job providers and the District's half million residents. Mr. President, I have come to the floor several times over the past year to voice my concerns about the closure of Pennsylvania Avenue. I have talked about the damage it has done to Washington's business community, and the fear that it is scaring off new jobs and prompting potential retail and commercial tenants to stay away from the downtown area. I have discussed the hardships caused by the closing for anyone whose paycheck depends on access to the avenue, people like cab drivers and tour bus operators. I have outlined problem after problem the closing has created for the District itself, which had one of its major arteries unilaterally severed by the Federal Government without any consultation. I have discussed the inconvenience of our tourists, especially the elderly and disabled, many of whom are now being deprived of a close look at the White House.”