Legislative Branch Appropriations for 1995

Estimate 1995 Senate Office Buildings

Increases (continued)

OTHER INCREASES

Continuing and Initiating Other Programs (continued)

Design Hart Building Stair/Escalator.

This request is part of a comprehensive multi-year elevator and
escalator modernization and addition program designed to improve the
vertical transportation systems within the Senate Office Buildings.
This program was designed to create an integrated solution to the most
critical vertical transportation problems. Funds were appropriated in.
fiscal year 1993 to modernize the passenger elevators in the Dirksen
the Ground Floor to the Basement.
Building as well as to construct a stair in the Dirksen Building from

NONRECURRING ITEMS (continued)

Funds in the amount of $150,000 are requested on a "No Year" basis
for the design of new stairs and/or an escalator from the first floor
the basement.
of the Hart Building to the ground floor, and to the subway level in
In the past, this option has been explored, but physical
difficulties in the layout of certain building components and the cost
to accommodate a stair around them have been prohibitive. However, it
has been determined that solutions exist other than the originally
proposed stair, and these must be explored. The new stair may be
sufficiently large to provide for escalator transportation, which would
be more costly, but more effective in terms of providing critical
relief at this major vertical transportation bottleneck in the Hart
Building. Construction funds will be requested in fiscal year 1996 for
the most logical and cost effective solution to this problem. A
range.
preliminary estimate based on conceptual costs is in the $1,500,000

1994. This project was requested and denied in fiscal years 1993 and this project was Approval to request funds in the fiscal year 1993 budget for Administration. granted from the Senate Committee on Rules and

$ 150,000

In fiscal year 1994, funds were requested to begin a seven year
program to identify and improve accessibility to buildings and
services. That request was denied for the Senate Office Buildings, but
was funded at a reduced level in other appropriations. For fiscal year
1995, funds are requested on a "No Year" basis at a comparably reduced
level for the Senate Office Buildings to proceed with this program.

Priority work proposed for the Senate Office Buildings during fiscal year 1995 will be directed toward building entrances, paths of travel through the buildings, parking garages and toilet rooms. The presently designated "accessible" entrances to the Dirksen and Russell Senate Office Buildings are not sufficient to meet the standards of the ADA and will require modification. In addition, a study should be undertaken to determine the feasibility of modifying the Constitution Avenue and First Street, N.E., entrances to the Dirksen and Russell. Work will be continued in toilet rooms in all three buildings. As priorities are set following the accessibility surveys of the Senate Office Buildings, it may be determined that the configuration of sales and service counters in the cafeterias, coffee shops, post offices, etc., will receive attention in fiscal year 1995. The individual accessibility needs of Members and staff will also be addressed on an as needed basis during the year.

It is thus requested that $300,000 be appropriated for this program on a "No Year" basis and to allow that amount to remain in the budget base for the duration of the program. Originally, the program was estimated to take seven years, but at the reduced funding level now being requested the program will take much longer. These funds are necessary to provide for materials and labor to design and perform the necessary modifications, as well as to provide for additional assistance from qualified consultants. Approval to request funds in the fiscal year 1995 budget for this project has been sought from the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.

$ 300,000

7.15

Estimate 1995

Senate Office Buildings

Increases (continued)

OTHER INCREASES

Continuing and Initiating Other Programs (continued)

Election Year Moving Costs.

Senate election year moves will commence the first week of January,
1995. In 1993 there were 32 moves. In 1991, moves were scheduled to
allow two series of moves to progress throughout the move process. In
1993 at the direction of the Committee on Rules and Administration, the
moves were further accelerated and scheduled to allow three moves to be
underway at all times.

NONRECURRING ITEMS (continued)

To accommodate this requirement, additional temporary craftsmen were hired to ensure that the accelerated schedules could be met. fiscal year 1993 a total of $500,000 was provided for moves. Further, additional funding of $359,000 was reprogrammed during the move process to support the temporary workforce. In addition, a great deal of overtime expense was incurred worked by the Senate Superintendent to ensure that moves were completed on time.

In

In addition to the actual moving process, there are expenses that directly relate to the moves including the accelerated repainting of all public corridors, the upholstering of selected items of furniture, and the updating of electrical panel documentation, even though these items might be accomplished just after completion of the actual physical moves.

It is anticipated that the total number of moves in 1995 may total 24 versus the 1993 total of 32. Based upon the overall expenses incurred in this process in 1993 and the other considerations cited herein, it is recommended that a total of $954,000 be provided for election year moves in FY 1995. Approval to request funds in the fiscal year 1995 budget for this project has been sought from the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.

$954,000

7.16

Estimate 1995 Senate Office Buildings

Increases (continued)

OTHER INCREASES
Continuing and Initiating Other Programs (continued)

Alterations to Room SR - B31-B, Capitol Police.

The Capitol Police were assigned office space in the Russell
Building vacated by the Senate photo lab when it moved to Postal
The Police requested that the photo lab space be reconfigured
Square.
Funds in the amount of $129,000
to meet police activities and needs.
are requested to provide for Police officials' offices, a locker room,
Approval to request funds in the fiscal year 1995
and a break area.
budget for this project has been sought from the Senate Committee on
Rules and Administration.

NONRECURRING ITEMS (continued)

Network Operations Center Systems Furniture.

The Senate Telecommunications Department's Network Operations
The Department has requested that
Center is located at Postal Square.
new systems furniture be provided in order to improve the operational
Funds
efficiency and protect the resources within the area.
in the
amount of $125,000 are requested to provide for these improvements.
Approval to request funds in the fiscal year 1995 budget for this
project has been sought from the Senate Committee on Rules and
Administration.

Total Continuing and Initiating Other Programs.

Total Increases - NONRECURRING ITEMS.

This appropriation provides for the structural, mechanical and domestic care of the three Senate
systems.
Office Buildings, the operation of the mechanical equipment, and maintenance of the subway transportation
The Russell Office Building contains approximately 425 offices and committee rooms, together
with storage rooms, shops, electrical transformer station, and subway, and was occupied March 5, 1909,
with the exception of the First Street Wing which was added and occupied in 1931-33. The Dirksen Office
Building contains approximately 500 offices and committee rooms, together with storage rooms, shops,
cafeteria, auditorium and telephone exchange, and was accepted for beneficial occupancy October 15, 1958.
The Old Building was designated as the "Richard Brevard Russell Office Building" and the New Building as
11, 1972.
the "Everett McKinley Dirksen Office Building" by Senate Resolution 296, 92nd Congress, agreed to October
adding the word "Senate" prior to "Office."
Senate Resolution 295, 96th Congress, made technical changes in the names of the buildings by
Senate Resolution 525, 94th Congress, stipulated that upon
Res. 295 added "Senate" before "Office."
completion, the extension to the Dirksen Building be known as the "Philip A. Hart Office Building." S.

The 1995 appropriation request also provides for the structural, mechanical, and domestic care of
the former Immigration Building located at 119 D Street, N. E., acquired by the Government in April 1974,
beginning in fiscal year 1993.
and domestic care of portions of Postal Square, formerly the City Post Office Building, which was leased
In addition, the Daniel Webster Senate Page Residence was authorized to
which passed the Senate November 24, 1993.
be acquired by Public Law 102-330, approved August 3, 1992, and so named in accordance with S. Res. 176,
These properties are maintained and operated as part of the
Senate Office Buildings under authority of Public Laws 93-305, 94-157, 102-330, and Sec. 107 of 101-520.

as

the

For 1995, a force of 592 authorized employees is required for the care of the Russell, Hart and
Dirksen Senate Office Buildings and their mechanical equipment, which includes such items
extensive air conditioning and refrigeration systems; 50 elevators, electric fixtures and wiring:
legislative bell and buzzer systems; plumbing and piping; and subway systems; one annex building acquired
in 1974, operated as part of the Senate Office Buildings facilities; the Senate Garage; and leased space
which is operated under the same provisions as if it were a Senate Office Building.

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7.18

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Legislative Branch Appropriations for 1995: Hearings Before a ..., 1. sējums