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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 629 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 629

     Recognizing the accomplishments of the U.S. General Services 
    Administration since its creation in 1949 for providing policy 
    leadership and expertly managed space, products, services, and 
solutions, at the best value, to enable Federal employees to accomplish 
                            their missions.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 10, 2009

 Mr. Blumenauer submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
          to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
     Recognizing the accomplishments of the U.S. General Services 
    Administration since its creation in 1949 for providing policy 
    leadership and expertly managed space, products, services, and 
solutions, at the best value, to enable Federal employees to accomplish 
                            their missions.

Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration was established July 1, 1949, 
        by the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 and 
        signed into law by President Harry S. Truman, as recommended by the 
        Hoover Commission, to avoid ``senseless duplication, excess cost, and 
        confusion in handling supplies and providing space'';
Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration manages the Federal inventory 
        of public buildings, both historic properties and new construction, and 
        leases space from the private sector to provide workplaces for 1,000,000 
        Federal workers;
Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration is entrusted with the 
        preservation of 301 buildings on the National Register of Historic 
        Places and is responsible for one of the largest and most diverse art 
        collections in the United States through its Fine Arts and Art-in-
        Architecture Programs;
Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration has helped encourage livable 
        communities in the United States by building partnerships with local 
        governments to encourage civic, educational, and retail activities in 
        Federal buildings and plazas or, alternatively, to develop business 
        plans for communities when Federal facilities are scheduled to close;
Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration provides local, long-distance, 
        Internet, and wireless services for Federal agencies at highly 
        competitive rates through some of the largest and most complex 
        contractual arrangements affecting civilian agencies;
Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration has helped revitalize 
        communities in the United States by building partnerships with local 
        governments to encourage civic, educational, and retail activities in 
        Federal buildings and plazas or, alternatively, to develop business 
        plans for communities when Federal facilities are scheduled to close;
Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration directs the donation of surplus 
        Federal real and personal property to schools, hospitals, State and 
        local governments, and nonprofit organizations, or sells that property 
        to ensure that the United States taxpayer receives the maximum benefit;
Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration promotes contracting with 
        small, minority, and women-owned businesses and serves as the primary 
        distribution channel for commodities produced by the National Institutes 
        for the Blind, NISH, and the Federal Prison Industries;
Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration has been an advocate for the 
        private sector by making it increasingly easier to do business with the 
        Federal Government;
Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration has been a leader in electronic 
        commerce through its $30,000,000,000 charge card programs for purchase 
        and travel;
Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration aids Federal environmental 
        programs by managing the Federal Recycling Program and by encouraging 
        appropriate procurement practices, the use of alternative fuel vehicles, 
        the conservation of water and energy, and the adoption of sustainable 
        building practices;
Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration oversees family-friendly 
        programs in the Federal workplace including child care centers and 
        telecommuting centers nationwide;
Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration serves as a focal point for 
        citizens seeking information from the United States Government through 
        its Office of Citizen Services, providing access to information and 
        services, promoting intergovernmental collaboration, and fostering 
        innovation;
Whereas the U.S. General Services Administration has encouraged the use of high 
        performing, efficient buildings throughout the Federal Government, has 
        established an Office of High Performing, Green Buildings, and has 
        already earned a LEED rating for 24 of its facilities; and
Whereas for 60 years, the U.S. General Services Administration has worked with 
        Congress to provide expertly managed space, products, services, and 
        solutions for the Federal workforce: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) congratulations and highly commends the employees of 
        the U.S. General Services Administration for their outstanding 
        efforts on behalf of the taxpayers of the United States; and
            (2) encourages the U.S. General Services Administration to 
        continue to lead by example, and urges its continued leadership 
        in having the Federal Government lead the way in energy 
        efficiency, efficient workspaces, and sustainable practices, 
        and to continue to be a partner with local governments and 
        communities.
                                 <all>
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