Conveyance of Parcel, Tracy, California

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of this important legislation, which would result in the efficient disposal of a parcel of Federal real property to the city of Tracy, California. It has been outstanding for some years.

The city of Tracy, with a population of 80,000, has been hard hit by the economic recession. Unemployment in and around Tracy stood at 16.2 percent a year ago, a level far higher than the national average. The people of Tracy are looking for every available avenue to revive their economy, and they have found such a stimulus in the potential construction of a solar field.

Congress can assist Tracy in its economic recovery by supporting S. 1302. This bill authorizes the city of Tracy to purchase, without restriction, 150 acres of Federal land previously conveyed by Congress for a specific public benefit use. The city would pay the Federal Government fair market value for the release of this reversionary interest.

The conveyance of land would permit Tracy to build a solar field at the site, a use which enjoys strong local support.

Tracy estimates that construction of a solar field will create approximately 200 jobs, which are much needed in the city. The project will also generate cleaner sources of energy and will alleviate the air-quality challenges that presently afflict that area. These are all powerful reasons to support the legislation.

I urge passage of S. 1302, and I reserve the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source