S. Res. 254, Sense of the Senate Regarding Reopening of Pennsylvania Avenue: Hearing Before the Committee on Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Fourth Congress, Second Session, on S. Res. 254 ... June 26, 1996

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U.S. Government Printing Office, 1996 - 53 pages

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Page 30 - April 19, 1995, the country was shocked and saddened by the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City and the resulting loss of life.
Page 1 - SENATE, COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, Washington, DC The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:00 am, in Room SD-342, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon.
Page 22 - Good morning Mr. Chairman. I would like to thank you, the other members of the Committee, and your staff for providing this forum. On behalf of the US Secret Service, I appreciate the opportunity to address the closing of Pennsylvania Avenue to vehicular traffic and the need for it to remain so. On May 20, 1995, Secretary Robert Rubin directed the Secret Service to prohibit unauthorized motor vehicle traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House and to close two short streets on the...
Page 23 - ... and extremist groups have demonstrated a propensity for mounting their attacks to coincide with symbolic dates or at symbolic targets. The White House is one of the most symbolic targets in the United States. There is every reason to believe that given the opportunity, these extremist individuals and groups will strike. This matter does not only concern the protection of the President and other government officials and a national landmark — it is a tremendous public safety issue with respect...
Page 31 - It is not! Both the real and the symbolic value of the White House and the importance of human life cannot be overstated. But, if a terrorist were unable to attack the White House because Pennsylvania Avenue was closed, would he or she give up? How less important and less significant is the Capital, or the National Archives, or the State Department, or many other Federal and City buildings and monuments? If the closing of Pennsylvania Avenue can truly be justified by the importance of what is being...
Page 19 - ... Secretary Robert Rubin directed the Secret Service to prohibit unauthorized motor vehicle traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House and to close two short streets on the southwest corner of the complex. The Pennsylvania Avenue area then became a pedestrian mall, open to the public. The Secret Service remains steadfast in its belief that the threat to the White House Complex by explosive-laden vehicles is genuine and that, given the opportunity, an attack will occur. The decision...
Page 5 - ... Second, the plan was to emphasize the role of the Capitol as the building at the center of the city. Third, the development was to provide a mixture of public and private construction. The interests of the 35 million persons who visit the city each year were to be kept much in mind. "Pennsylvania Avenue should be lively, friendly, and inviting, as well as dignified and impressive.
Page 18 - The status of Pennsylvania Avenue is a very important regional issue as well as a national issue. This is so not only because of mutual concern about traffic and a healthy economy, but because of the environmental impact as well. The District is part of a region-wide serious ozone non-attainment area. Our hearings confirmed that the horrendous and ever-expanding gridlock created by the closing of Pennsylvania Avenue has an adverse impact on air quality. All regional jurisdictions in Virginia and...
Page 23 - ... their own explosives and how to construct and position virtually every type of bomb imaginable. This information has been found in the possession of terrorists and at sites where law enforcement officials have discovered bomb factories. The same information is also publicly available on the Internet. The Secret Service is committed to the use of technology in furtherance of our protective and investigative missions. Alternatives to closing Pennsylvania Avenue were examined without success. The...
Page 32 - no truck — no bus" zones in the vicinity of the White House and other important governmental buildings and monuments. Require critical deliveries to be reloaded into smaller vehicles. Require special permits and special markings or codes that change daily for large vehicles that must enter the zone. On selected streets (not on every street), construct physical height barriers that would prevent large vehicles from entering certain areas. Provide attractive, energy-absorbing barriers to reduce overpressures....

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