James Norton: “Mr. Speaker, I want to especially thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Franks), the subcommittee chairman, because…”

“Mr. Speaker, I want to especially thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Franks), the subcommittee chairman, because, were it not for his leadership and attention to the Southeast Federal Center, we would not finally be on the path toward making this valuable Federal asset productive and beneficial to American taxpayers. The Southeast Federal Center Public-Private Redevelopment Act of 2000 reflects the best and strongest bipartisan intents of the Congress. It arose out of a hearing in May 1999, where I was engaged in perennial questioning concerning the failure of the Federal Government since 1962 to develop its largest tract of land in the city while leasing massive amounts of office space here and throughout the region.”