I have also sought to improve the effectiveness of the former House Parking Office. I felt the parking personnel could make a significant contribution to the security of the garages and parking lots and generally supplement the efforts of the U.S. Capitol Police. Therefore, all parking personnel have received extensive training from the Capitol Police in order to make them more security conscious and aware of the threat potential in the parking areas. Accordingly, the House Parking Office has been renamed the House Garage and Parking Security Office. In order to present a more professional image which reflects their enhanced duties, all garage and parking security personnel have been provided with uniforms. I also intend to review the FTE requirements of this office to determine if further savings can be realized. The committee should note that this function was transferred to my office without any allocated nonpersonnel funds. Therefore, the requests for these funds, as well as funding for a garage and parking security computer system, is included in my fiscal year 1997 budget request. The fiscal year 1997 budget request also includes an overtime funding request for the Office of Sergeant at Arms based on the projected impact of the Congressional Accountability Act. Finally, the Office of Sergeant at Arms continues to work closely with the U.S. Capitol Police on issues which relate to the security of Members of Congress and the Capitol complex. COLLABORATION WITH CAPITOL POLICE BOARD As a member of the U.S. Capitol Police Board, I have worked with Mr. Howard Greene, the Senate Sergeant at Arms, and Chief Abrecht of the Capitol Police to expand the training and collaborative efforts of the Capitol Police Threat Assessment Section and Intelligence Section so that we can receive timely and accurate information on threats against Congress and individual Members. This effort has served to enhance my ability to make recommendations regarding the security requirements of Members of Congress and the congressional delegations. I would like to thank the committee for the assistance and guidance you have provided over the past year. It is my continued goal to provide quality support services to the House of Representatives while remaining fiscally responsible. I have previously submitted a budget overview and justifications for your consideration. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Mr. PACKARD. Thank you very much. Mr. FAULKNER. I would like to insert page 25, Office of the Sergeant at Arms, Following Mr. Livingood's prepared statement. [The information follows:] STATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE WILSON LIVINGOOD SERGEANT AT ARMS U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE MR. CHAIRMAN, IT IS AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO APPEAR BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE TO DISCUSS THE BUDGET REQUEST OF THE OFFICE OF THE SERGEANT AT ARMS. 1995 WAS A YEAR OF GROWTH AND CHANGE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE SERGEANT AT ARMS. AS YOU ARE AWARE, WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED THE REORGANIZATION OF THIS OFFICE THAT WAS PRESENTED TO THE COMMITTEE IN LAST YEAR'S BUDGET REQUEST. THIS CONSISTED OF THE INCORPORATION OF THE FORMER DOORKEEPER DUTIES AND THE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICE OF HOUSE GARAGES AND PARKING SECURITY. DURING THIS PERIOD, SIGNIFICANT TRAINING HAS BEEN PROVIDED FOR ALL SERGEANT AT ARMS EMPLOYEES INCLUDING THE TWO NEW DIVISIONS. I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THE CURRENT ORGANIZATION AND HAPPY TO REPORT TO THE COMMITTEE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE OFFICE IS OPERATING EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY. AS OF MARCH 1, 1996, THE OFFICE WILL IMPLEMENT A COMPUTERIZED TIME AND ATTENDANCE PROGRAM WHICH WILL ASSIST IN TRACKING EMPLOYEE HOURS TO FACILITATE COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT. IT CONTINUES TO BE MY VIEW THAT THE CRITICAL FUNCTION OF THIS OFFICE IS THE DELIVERY OF QUALITY SECURITY AND RELATED SERVICES REALIZING THAT THE CAPITOL MUST BE OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE CITIZENS OF THIS NATION AND OTHERS. AS A RESULT, OUR OFFICE WILL STRIVE TO REMAIN AT THE FOREFRONT OF SECURITY TECHNOLOGY WHILE WORKING WITH MEMBERS AND THEIR STAFF IN PROVIDING A SECURE AND ACCESSIBLE WORKING ENVIRONMENT. MR. CHAIRMAN, IN OCTOBER 1995, THE OFFICE OF HOUSE GARAGES AND PARKING SECURITY WAS TRANSFERRED FROM THE ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL TO THE SERGEANT AT ARMS' OFFICE. IN ADDITION, AS YOU ARE AWARE, THE PROVISIONS OF THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA) BECAME EFFECTIVE ON JANUARY 23, 1996. WHILE IT IS MY INTENTION TO CONTINUE TO MANAGE THE RESOURCES OF THIS OFFICE IN A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE MANNER, IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE OVERTIME REQUIREMENTS OF THE FLSA WILL NECESSITATE INCREASED FUNDING TO COVER OVERTIME RESPONSIBILITIES, ALTHOUGH THE EXACT AMOUNT IS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT. THEREFORE, MY TOTAL PROPOSED FY'97 BUDGET IS $3,888,735, MAINTAINING THE CURRENT LEVEL OF 87 FULL TIME EMPLOYEES (FTES) AS AUTHORIZED IN FY 96. THIS REPRESENTS A 14.04% OVERALL FUNDING INCREASE FROM THE FY 96 BUDGET WHICH IS DUE PRIMARILY TO BUDGETING FOR NON-PERSONNEL EXPENSES OF THE OFFICE OF HOUSE GARAGES AND PARKING SECURITY AND FOR ANTICIPATED OVERTIME COSTS. THE TOTAL FY`97 PERSONNEL EXPENSES BUDGETED FOR THE OFFICE OF THE SERGEANT AT ARMS IS $3,474,646. THE TOTAL NON-PERSONNEL EXPENSES BUDGETED FOR THE OFFICE IS $414,089. A BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES BY DIVISION IS LISTED BELOW. ALL PERSONNEL FIGURES WERE CALCULATED TO INCLUDE PRORATED LONGEVITY COSTS FOR APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL, COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS, OVERALL MERITORIOUS INCREASES, AND ANTICIPATED OVERTIME COSTS. THE OVERTIME COSTS WERE DERIVED BY TAKING 10 PERCENT OF THE PROJECTED PERSONNEL EXPENSES. THERE ARE NO NEW EMPLOYEE OR RECLASSIFICATION REQUESTS IN MY PROPOSED BUDGET REQUESTS. I AM REQUESTING $414, 089 FOR NON PERSONNEL EXPENSES FOR FY`97, AN INCREASE OF $54,364, OR 13.1%, OVER FY'%. THIS INCREASE IS LARGELY ATTRIBUTED TO THE INCORPORATION OF THE HOUSE GARAGE AND PARKING SECURITY OFFICE THAT WAS TRANSFERRED TO US WITHOUT ANY ALLOCATED NON-PERSONNEL EXPENSES AND CONTEMPLATES 2.325% INFLATION FACTOR RELATIVE TO CURRENT OPERATING EXPENSES. A BREAKDOWN OF THE NON-PERSONNEL EXPENSES IS SUMMARIZED BELOW: SUPPLIES/STATIONARY: THE REQUEST FOR $86,905 IS TO BE USED TO PURCHASE MISCELLANEOUS OFFICE SUPPLIES, STATIONARY, SUBSCRIPTIONS, AND UNIFORMS. COMMUNICATIONS: THE REQUEST FOR $71,488 IS TO BE USED TO COVER TELEPHONE CHARGES, SUCH AS ALL PHONE AND FAX LINES, “CRASH" LINES, PHONES LOCATED AT ALL POLICE POSTS ON THE HOUSE SIDE OF THE CAPITOL AND IN THE HOUSE OFFICE BUILDINGS, CELLULAR PHONES AND PAGERS. ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS AMOUNT ARE COSTS FOR COMMUNICATIONS INCURRED WHILE ON SECURITY ADVANCES. AS YOU ARE AWARE, THIS OFFICE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SECURITY THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE SIDE OF THE CAPITOL COMPLEX, AS WELL AS LARGE SCALE SPECIAL EVENTS AND OTHER OFFICIAL EVENTS ON AND OFF THE CAPITOL GROUNDS. THEREFORE, IT IS CRITICAL TO MAINTAIN AN EFFICIENT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM. EQUIPMENT: THE AMOUNT OF $141,090 IS NEEDED TO COVER THE ANNUAL USER AND MAINTENANCE FEES OF EQUIPMENT IN THE OFFICE. MUCH OF THE COST IS RELATED TO THE ID SYSTEMS' MAINTENANCE CONTRACT, AS WELL AS THE ADDITION OF THE GARAGE AND PARKIN SECURITY COMPUTER SYSTEM. TRAVEL: THE PROPOSED FIGURE OF $10,232 REFLECTS A 2.325% INFLATION INCREASE. OFFICIAL TRAVEL INCLUDES SENDING STAFF MEMBERS TO SECURITY MANAGEMENT SEMINARS AND COURSES WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR STAFF. OFFICIAL TRAVEL IS OCCASIONALLY REQUIRED OF THE SERGEANT AT ARMS, THE DEPUTY SERGEANT AT ARMS, AND THE COUNSEL TO THE POLICE BOARD. MISCELLANEOUS: $104,374 IS REQUESTED TO COVER MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES SUCH AS OFFICIAL EXPENSES, TRAINING, PARKING LOT LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS, AND FINALLY, I AM PLEASED TO REPORT TO THE SUBCOMMITTEE THAT THE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE HOUSE SERGEANT AT ARMS OFFICE AND THE SENATE SERGEANT AT ARMS OFFICE HAS BEEN ENHANCED AND STRENGTHENED OVER THE PAST YEAR. I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT THIS COHESIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIP BOLSTERS OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY FOR THE SECURITY OF THE ENTIRE CAPITO COMPLEX. I APPRECIATE THE PRIVILEGE OF APPEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE TODAY AND WISH TO ASSURE YOU OF MY CONTINUED DESIRE TO WORK WITH YOU ON ALL MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST. |