Pelosi Remarks at United Nations Plaza Federal Building Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

San Francisco – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks today at the United Nations Plaza Federal Building Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating the renovation and reopening of the building. Below are the Leader's remarks:

"Thank you very much for that wonderful introduction and recognition of the goal that we all want, of accomplishing something great. And thank you for acknowledging the leadership of President Barack Obama. His election enabled – in the first weeks, even before he was President, but in preparation for his taking office – a new Democratic majority to pass our legislation, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It enabled us to take over $115 million to turn this wonderful place into something so significant for the future.

"It's an honor to be here with you. Thank you for your great work, Dan Tangherlini. Not only for this building but for so many reasons, for understanding that what we do marginally in our area is of national significance. He does have the leadership of, when we say we are going to get something, we get something done. We appreciate your recognition of that and your leadership of General Services Administration nationally. And I can say what I said because of the great leadership of our mayor, Mayor Lee. Because of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, we were able to do great things: the Presidio Parkway, the Transbay Tunnel, and now, today, this. I think the Mayor would agree.

"This is a particular pleasure. It's really a joy because here was this historic plaza, plopped right here at the Civic Center – but instead of it being the connection that it will be now, it was sort of ‘What are we going to do? How are we going to exploit the opportunity presented by this location?' After the earthquake, we all worked together to restore the courthouse – now named for the Justice, Browning Courthouse, which we thought was so beautiful that it should be restored and not taken down and also contributing to the economic growth of the region.

"Next, the Federal Building. As Ruth mentioned, the Federal Building was built to the highest environmental standards, and now this path to City Hall. And with the Mayor's leadership, what he is doing in the private sector, it's just almost magical. So, this was sort of a missing link and now here we are today. Michele MacCracken, thank you for making it all so lovely. Cliff Garten, it's wonderful to be with you. I can't wait to see your good work. Sherry Lee, it is beautifully appropriate, especially in the emotion of the building. Of course, our U.S. Coast Guard, Color Guard, thank you for being here and thank you for your service to our country. Because it is about our country. It is a privilege to be with all of you here at this ribbon cutting – it is an historic building, as has been indicated – and to celebrate a return of work and civic life to Civic Center and Mid-Market.

"Built in the midst of the Great Depression, as Ruth said, in the middle of the 1930s, the Beaux Art Structure was not just a reminder of grandeur, of public service, or a way to put people back to work. It was also a signal that even in some of the bleakest moments of history, America would not surrender its future. We will build great and beautiful things to inspire and enjoy. We will keep our eyes on tomorrow. Over the years, this place has witnessed extraordinary moments of trial and triumph, of compassion, and of accomplishment. At the close of the second World War, as you all know, representatives from 50 nations came together right outside this building to found the United Nations and to create a new world of peace. As the AIDS epidemic – decades later – as the AIDS epidemic raged, members of the community demonstrated here to ensure that the crisis would not ignored, holding a decade-long vigil outside this building in the name of millions fighting against HIV and AIDS. This place has both been a signal of our prosperity and our vision, and a stark reminder of the struggles and poverty of many of our fellow Americans. That is why I'm so excited to be here, because we've all lived through so many of these – not the U.N.

[Laughter]

"But by the beginning of the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, five or six years ago, the historic building stood empty. Once again, in dark and uncertain times, this nation decided to invest in ourselves and in our future. Congress, as I mentioned, passed the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, a massive commitment by President Obama to put people back to work, rebuilding our nation, and reclaiming our future. The Recovery Act gave hundreds of jobs right here, renovating and modernizing this structure alone, providing seismic upgrades and incorporating more sustainable and energy efficient designs – as you mentioned – to meet the LEED platinum standards. This work has prepared this historic building for the demands of a 21st century workforce.

"And soon, after nearly six empty years, 50 United Nations plaza will bustle with the labors of 700 federal workers, bringing new energy to the Civic Center and Mid-Market area, all to ignite all excitement that the Mayor has coming from the public, the private sector. With the investments and Recovery Act partnership between the federal government and local leaders, San Francisco, under Mayor Lee's leadership, is leading the way to progress and prosperity once more. Today, the work of recovery remains unfinished and incomplete. We're still working to put people back to work to grow our economy and revitalize our nation's communities and to strengthen our middle class – the backbone of our democracy.

"The GSA, Congress and the public sector have to make decisions about how to allocate resources that just don't build a structure and create jobs that way, or a place for people to work and create jobs that way, but to grow the economy in the surrounding area. And that's what makes it of national significance – a model to the nation. And that's what San Francisco is always ready and able to do.

"So we breathe life into this building – this place built in the Great Depression, renovated in the Great Recession, and now ready for another century of service, hopefully in something that will be called the ‘Great Comeback.' So, I thank Mayor Lee and Administrator Tangherlini, and everyone here for your leadership, and all of you who made this day possible. Because it is more than a building, it is more than a workplace, more than an impetus to growth in the region. It's a link from the past, from the great past – the U.N. – to the future – something that we are very, very proud of. And I couldn't be happier to be here with all of you and to celebrate this.

"Thank you all."

[Applause]

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