REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 3 OF 1967 TUESDAY, JULY 25, 1967 U.S. SENATE, COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, Washington, D.C. The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m. in room 3302, New Senate Office Building, Senator Abraham Ribicoff presiding. Present: Senators McClellan, Ribicoff, Montoya, Hansen, and Baker. Also present: James R. Calloway, chief clerk and staff director; Ann M. Grickis, assistant chief clerk; Eli E. Nobleman, professional staff member; and Arthur A. Sharp, staff editor. OPENING STATEMENT Senator RIBICOFF. The committee will be in order. This morning the Senate Committee on Government Operations begins hearings on Reorganization Plan No. 3, to provide for reorganizations in the government of the District of Columbia. Because of the deep interest in this proposal, the hearings are being held by the full committee so that all committee members may have an opportunity to participate in these deliberations. Although the distinguished chairman of this committee, Senator McClellan, hopes to participate in the proceedings, his other commitments do not permit him to chair this set of hearings. Consequently, he has appointed me cochairman for these hearings. I want to express my appreciations to our distinguished chairman, Senator McClellan, for according me this privilege. Reorganization Plan No. 3 would abolish the District of Columbia's three-man Board of Commissioners and replace it with a single Commissioner and a nine-member Council, appointed by the President, subject to Senate confirmation. The plan also would redistribute the functions of the present Board by transferring executive functions to the Commissioner and quasi-legislative functions to the Council. According to the President's message of transmittal, the plan is designed to eliminate deficiencies in the present form of government in the District of Columbia by (1) unifying executive and administrative authority; (2) eliminating competing and sometimes conflicting assignments of responsibility; (3) providing for the exercise of quasi-legislative functions through a bipartisan Council that would be representative of the community; and (4) permitting the single Commissioner provided for in the plan to organize the District government in order to provide effective day-to-day administration. Reorganization Plan No. 3 was submitted to the Congress on June 1, 1967, pursuant to the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949, as amended (ch. 9, title 5, United States Code). Since a reorganization plan automatically becomes effective after 60 days of continuous session following its transmittal, unless a resolution of disapproval has been adopted by either House of the Congress, plan No. 3 would have become effective on August 1, 1967. However, as the result of a 10-day recess, the original effective date was extended for an additional 10 days, pursuant to the provisions of the Reorganization Act, which require the exclusion of any period of adjournment of either House in excess of 3 days. No resolution of disapproval has been filed in the Senate as of this date. Accordingly, if none is filed and adopted, and if the House fails to adopt its pending resolution of disapproval prior to its effective date, plan No. 3 will become effective on August 11, 1967. Without objection, we will insert at this point in the record the following documents: the letter from Chairman McClellan designating me cochairman of these hearings; a copy of the President's message entitled “Goals for the Nation's Capital," a copy of the President's message transmitting Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1967; and a copy of the excellent staff memorandum No. 90-1-37, prepared by Eli E. Nobleman, professional staff member of the Committee on Government Operations, which reviews the purpose and major provisions of the plan as well as certain legal questions that may be involved; and charts showing the present and proposed organization of the District of Columbia government. (The material referred to follows:) Hon. ABRAHAM RIBICOFF, U.S. SENATE, COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS, Chairman, Subcommittee on Executive Reorganization, July 21, 1967. DEAR SENATOR RIBICOFF: This will confirm our discussions regarding Reorganization Plan No. 3, to reorganize the government of the District of Columbia. I hope to be able to participate in any hearings on this plan, however, the press of other duties may well make this impossible. As indicated, therefore, I am designating you co-chairman of the full committee for the purpose of processing this plan and conducting any hearings that may be required. With kindest personal regards, I am, Sincerely yours, JOHN L. MCCLELLAN, Chairman. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BETTER GOVERNMENT WITH HOME RULE AND REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS; WAR ON CRIME WITH MORE RESTRICTIVE AND REHABILITATIVE LEGISLATION; AND PROVIDING A CULTURAL, INTERNATIONAL, AND TRANSPORTATION CENTER FEBRUARY 27, 1967.-Referred to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed To the Congress of the United States: Our goal for the Nation's Capital is a city of which all Americans can be proud. As I said 2 years ago, this city and its government must be, for its residents and the entire world, "a living expression of the highest ideals of democratic government." It should be a city of beauty and inspiration, of equal justice and opportunity. It should be a model for every American city, large and small. It should be a city in which our citizens and our friends from abroad can live and work, visit our great national monuments, and enjoy our parks and walk our streets without fear. The District of Columbia is the Nation's ninth largest city. It is the center of the fastest growing metropolitan area in the country, with a population today of 2.5 million. As such, its citizens have all the problems and are entitled to all the rights of the citizens of any large city in this country. The District of Columbia is also the Capital of our Nation, and the seat of every major agency of the Federal Government. As such, there is a significant Federal interest in the affairs of this city. Since I have been President, I have addressed myself to the difficult problem of balancing the interest of the residents of the District s citizens of a large city with that of the National Government as representative of the people of the entire country. The actions of the 89th Congress demonstrate that it shares my concern that both these interests be fairly served. While the 89th Congress did not move forward in every field as many of us would have preferred, its accomplishments do illustrate our mutual interest in making the District of Columbia a place in which we can all take pride: A new 4-year coilege and a technical institute were authorized to bring better education and training to our young. A mass transit system was authorized to serve the city and its suburbs and an interstate agency was created to plan and build the system. A comprehensive minimum wage law was enacted. Urban renewal was started for the commercial area in the heart of the city. Two new museums, the Hirshhorn and the Air and Space, were authorized. A commission to plan a visitor's center was established. These actions are an important, and a very historic beginning. The District's programs for housing, education, health, welfare, and recreation must be expanded and improved. Its war against crime must be sharply stepped up. The 1968 budget for the District calls for increased efforts in each of these areas. The budget would finance long-delayed school construction projects. It would provide the personnel and equipment needed to enhance the quality of education. It would provide resources vitally needed by the police and it would enable us to combat crime at its source with improved housing, education, training, health, and rehabilitation services. But prompt action on the 1968 budget alone is not enough. Elect the Government which serves them. Efficient and effective Government machinery. Streets and homes that are free from crime and the fear of crime. The citizens of our Nation, as well as those of the District, are entitled to a Capital that is Inspiring, dignified, and beautiful. A place where the great scholars of the Nation and the world can come to work, study, and learn. A hospitable location for the scores of foreign governments which are represented here. Accessible by transportation convenient to all who visit here. I. A BETTER Government for the District of ColumBIA The District of Columbia, as a major American city and the center of a large metropolitan area, faces all the problems of explosive urbanization a rising crime rate, traffic congestion and parking shortages, decaying buildings and homes, and inadequate health and education services. To meet these needs, the District must have the most responsive and efficient government we are capable of providing. |