congressional_record: CREC-1996-10-21-pt1-PgE1939
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| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
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| CREC-1996-10-21-pt1-PgE1939 | 1996-10-21 | 104 | 2 | SALUTING THE REOPENING OF THE SACRAMENTO MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM | HOUSE | EXTENSIONS | ALLOTHER | E1939 | E1939 | [{"name": "Richard W. Pombo", "role": "speaking"}] | 142 Cong. Rec. E1939 | Congressional Record, Volume 142 Issue 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996) [Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 143 (Monday, October 21, 1996)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1939] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] SALUTING THE REOPENING OF THE SACRAMENTO MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM ______ HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI HON. VIC FAZIO HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE HON. RICHARD W. POMBO of california in the house of representatives Monday, October 21, 1996 Mr. MATSUI, Mr. FAZIO, Mr. DOOLITTLE, Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, we rise today to pay tribute to all parties responsible for the grand reopening of the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. Originally opened in 1927, this landmark building served for almost 60 years as a multi-purpose venue for all manner of public gatherings, a forerunner of our modern community convention center. Besides hosting everything from operas, rock concerts, and religious revivals to circuses, conventions, and boxing matches, it is perhaps best remembered as the primary location for generations of school graduations. In 1986, the city was forced to close the building due to code violations and structural hazards. Sorely missed, the voters approved an initiative in 1992 to restore and reopen the auditorium in its original, multi-purpose configuration. Phase I of the renovation began in November of 1994. The project was unique in that rather than commission a set of architectural plans to be put out to bid, the city first established a minimum scope of work and a maximum project budget. Then a list of secondary renovation priorities was developed, with instructions to address as many of these items as possible within the budget. Finally, the city asked engineering, design and construction firms to form partnerships to bid on the job, and instructed the winning team to work in tandem to design and build the project. This design/build concept gave them flexibility, which was essential because the cost of some of the work, such as seismic retrofitting, would vary depending on the methods used. Money saved on essential renovations has been applied to secondary priorities. The result is extraordinary. In addition to the esthetic restoration of the building, alterations have been made to meet modern standards of earthquake and fire safety, and new electrical, mechanical, and environmental systems were installed. Accessibility was enhanced by adding ramps at the front and side entrances, space for wheelchairs in seating areas throughout the main level, new signage, and accessible restrooms. Today, the building looks better than ever and is more safe and functional than ever. Perhaps most importantly, the project has been completed within its budget of $10.8 million. For many, the auditorium represents a priceless link with the city's past and the history of its cultural development. Newly refurbished, it is one of Sacramento's's most beloved historical landmarks, especially among our community of veterans. Sacramento Memorial Auditorium is dedicated to the memory of all Sacramento County residents who give their lives in service to the United States in any of America's wars, past or future. The names of these men and women are inscribed in a permanent honor roll displayed within the building, a reminder of the terrible cost of war and a tribute to the price and patriotism of Sacramento residents. As part of the restoration, a new and expanded honor roll has been added, listing our fallen heroes and heroines from the Spanish-American War through the Persian Gulf War. Mr. Speaker, we ask our colleagues to join us in honoring the men and women who worked to make this project such and overwhelming success. We are proud to have such a beautiful and utilitarian monument to our country's fallen heroes and look forward to many years of continued use and enjoyment. ____________________ |