VISITORS TO OUR NATION'S CAPTIOL TO BENEFIT FROM PRIORITIES PUT FORTH BY THE NEW CHAIR OF THE CHA

(Washington, DC) The beleaguered United States Capitol Visitors Center has landed squarely on the desk of Chairwoman Juanita Millender-McDonald of the Committee on House Administration, and she has placed the completion of the project high on her list of priorities. 

"This project has been mired in numerous delays for almost two years. Meanwhile, Washington D.C. continues to be one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. It is time to complete this Capitol Visitor's Center so the general public can have full access to it, and the wonderful amenities that are planned for this facility," she said.

The construction project, located about 50-feet below the surface of the East Capitol grounds, is slated to be a virtual showcase of galleries, theaters, gift shops, and other public amenities. Complete with polished marble and mahogany accents, the facility was designed to please the eye as well as to stimulate and educate domestic and foreign visitors.

"We think it's important for our guests to have a positive experience while learning about our Democracy. We will have available to them, an exhibition gallery, orientation theaters, a 600-seat cafeteria, gift shops, and restrooms all within a secure public environment," said Millender-McDonald.

This project, the largest is U. S. history, is a 580,000 square foot underground building located underground on the east side of the Capitol. It was designed as an underground facility so as not to interfere with the original landscape as designed in 1874. In addition, the system has 5,000 new security systems and sprinkler operations that will need to be tested before the facility is open to the public.

The cost of the facility has ballooned from the estimated $250-million to what officials now think will be closer to $600-million by the time it is finished. There is a belief on the Hill that the fall 2007 completion date given by the Architect of the Capitol is optimistic, but most observers agree that it will surely be finished in early 2008.

The planting of 85 new trees, the restoration of historic fountains, lanterns and seat walls; and the addition of skylights, water features and granite pavers across the East Front Plaza are all taking place simultaneously in order to revitalize the historic capitol landscape.

Chairwoman Millender-McDonald has pledged to meet with the officials overseeing the construction and to monitor the situation closely in a timely fashion to determine the best course to complete the construction.

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The Committee on House Administration is the committee of the House of Representatives charged with the oversight of federal elections and the day-to-day functions of the House of Representatives. The Committee's jurisdiction over federal elections requires it to consider proposals to amend federal election law and to monitor Congressional elections across the United States.