Rayburn House Office Building
Encyclopedia
The Rayburn House Office Building (RHOB) is a congressional office building
for the U.S. House of Representatives
in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
, between South Capitol Street
and First Street.
Rayburn is named after former Speaker of the House
Sam Rayburn
. It was completed in 1965 and at 2.375 million square feet (220,644 m²) is the largest congressional office building and the newest House office building (the only newer congressional office building is the Hart Senate Office Building
, completed in 1982.)
Earlier efforts to provide space for the House of Representatives had included the construction of the Cannon House Office Building
and the Longworth House Office Building
. In March 1955, House Speaker Sam Rayburn introduced an amendment for a third House office building, although no site had been identified, no architectural study had been done, and no plans prepared.
The area west of the Longworth Building on squares 635 and 636 was chosen, with the main entrance on Independence Avenue and garage and pedestrian entrances on South Capitol Street, C Street, and First Street Southwest. The cornerstone
was laid in May 1962, and full occupancy began in February 1965.
The Architect of the Capitol
, J. George Stewart
, with the approval of the House Office Building Commission
, selected the firm of Harbeson, Hough, Livingston & Larson of Philadelphia to design a stripped-down classical building in architectural harmony with other Capitol Hill structures. However, while the interior design of the other House Office Buildings retains decor one would expect to see in House Office Buildings (with cherry wood panellings, brass railings and marble floors), Rayburn possesses design style parallel to that of the 1960s, with chrome door handles, clocks, and elevators, loudly-colored walls coated with a shade of turquoise, and space-age fluorescent lighting fixtures.
The Capitol Subway System, an underground transportation system, connects the building to the Capitol
, and pedestrian tunnels join it to all of the Congressional office buildings on Capitol Hill.
For construction of the Rayburn House Office Building, the Congressional bill appropriated $2 million plus "such additional sums as may be necessary." Such additional sums eventually totaled $88 million. Congressional leaders inserted a gymnasium into the building plans, a fact that was not publicly known at the time of construction. The gym is below the sub-basement level, in a level of the underground parking garage, and according to The Hill
, a capitol hill newspaper, "features dozens of cardio machines outfitted with TV screens, an array of Cybex weightlifting machines and free weights.http://thehill.com/mind-body-and-spirit/gyms-for-all-body-types-2006-03-09.html"
reported that they had smelled gunpowder
. All staff in the building were told to stay in their offices after the building was put into lockdown
. Some parts of the lockdown were removed, though other areas remained sealed. The FBI was tasked with investigating the report.
Congressman Jim Saxton
was reportedly the source of the false alarm, after he mistook construction sounds in the garage for gunfire. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/26/AR2006052600710_pf.html
Congressional office buildings
The congressional office buildings are the office buildings used by the United States Congress to augment the limited space in the United States Capitol. The congressional office buildings are part of the Capitol Complex are thus under the authority of the Architect of the Capitol and protected by...
for the U.S. House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, between South Capitol Street
South Capitol Street
South Capitol Street is a major street dividing the southeast and southwest quadrants of Washington, D.C. It runs south from the United States Capitol to the Washington-Maryland line...
and First Street.
Rayburn is named after former Speaker of the House
Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, or Speaker of the House, is the presiding officer of the United States House of Representatives...
Sam Rayburn
Sam Rayburn
Samuel Taliaferro Rayburn , often called "Mr. Sam," or "Mr. Democrat," was a Democratic lawmaker from Bonham, Texas, who served as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives for seventeen years, the longest tenure in U.S. history.- Background :Rayburn was born in Roane County, Tennessee, and...
. It was completed in 1965 and at 2.375 million square feet (220,644 m²) is the largest congressional office building and the newest House office building (the only newer congressional office building is the Hart Senate Office Building
Hart Senate Office Building
The Hart Senate Office Building, the third U.S. Senate office building, was built in the 1970s. First occupied in November 1982, the Hart Building is the largest of the Senate office buildings. It is named for Philip A. Hart, who served 18 years as a senator from Michigan.-Design and...
, completed in 1982.)
History
Rayburn was completed in early 1965 and is home to the offices of 169 Representatives.Earlier efforts to provide space for the House of Representatives had included the construction of the Cannon House Office Building
Cannon House Office Building
The Cannon House Office Building, completed in 1908, is the oldest congressional office building as well as a significant example of the Beaux-Arts style of architecture...
and the Longworth House Office Building
Longworth House Office Building
The Longworth House Office Building is one of four office buildings used by the United States House of Representatives. The building is located south of the Capitol, bounded by Independence Avenue, New Jersey Avenue, C Street S.E., and South Capitol Street, in southeast Washington...
. In March 1955, House Speaker Sam Rayburn introduced an amendment for a third House office building, although no site had been identified, no architectural study had been done, and no plans prepared.
The area west of the Longworth Building on squares 635 and 636 was chosen, with the main entrance on Independence Avenue and garage and pedestrian entrances on South Capitol Street, C Street, and First Street Southwest. The cornerstone
Cornerstone
The cornerstone concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.Over time a cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or...
was laid in May 1962, and full occupancy began in February 1965.
Architecture
Architect of the Capitol
The Architect of the Capitol is the federal agency responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex, and also the head of that agency. The Architect of the Capitol is in the legislative branch and is responsible to the United States...
, J. George Stewart
J. George Stewart
John George Stewart was an American architect and politician from Wilmington, in New Castle County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party, who served as U.S. Representative from Delaware and as Architect of the Capitol. He was known by his middle name.-Early life and family:Stewart was...
, with the approval of the House Office Building Commission
House Office Building Commission
The House Office Building Commission is an entity within the House of Representatives of the United States that oversees the various functions of the House and its office buildings...
, selected the firm of Harbeson, Hough, Livingston & Larson of Philadelphia to design a stripped-down classical building in architectural harmony with other Capitol Hill structures. However, while the interior design of the other House Office Buildings retains decor one would expect to see in House Office Buildings (with cherry wood panellings, brass railings and marble floors), Rayburn possesses design style parallel to that of the 1960s, with chrome door handles, clocks, and elevators, loudly-colored walls coated with a shade of turquoise, and space-age fluorescent lighting fixtures.
The Capitol Subway System, an underground transportation system, connects the building to the Capitol
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall...
, and pedestrian tunnels join it to all of the Congressional office buildings on Capitol Hill.
For construction of the Rayburn House Office Building, the Congressional bill appropriated $2 million plus "such additional sums as may be necessary." Such additional sums eventually totaled $88 million. Congressional leaders inserted a gymnasium into the building plans, a fact that was not publicly known at the time of construction. The gym is below the sub-basement level, in a level of the underground parking garage, and according to The Hill
The Hill (newspaper)
The Hill, a subsidiary of News Communications Inc., is a newspaper published in Washington, D.C. since 1994.Its first editor was Martin Tolchin, a veteran correspondent in the Washington bureau of The New York Times....
, a capitol hill newspaper, "features dozens of cardio machines outfitted with TV screens, an array of Cybex weightlifting machines and free weights.http://thehill.com/mind-body-and-spirit/gyms-for-all-body-types-2006-03-09.html"
2006 shooting reports
On May 26, 2006, at 10:30 am local time, there were reports of the sounds of gunfire in the garage of the building. The Capitol complex was sealed off, and policePolice
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
reported that they had smelled gunpowder
Gunpowder
Gunpowder, also known since in the late 19th century as black powder, was the first chemical explosive and the only one known until the mid 1800s. It is a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate - with the sulfur and charcoal acting as fuels, while the saltpeter works as an oxidizer...
. All staff in the building were told to stay in their offices after the building was put into lockdown
Lockdown
There are several definitions for the term lockdown, the most common of which pertains to a state of containment or a restriction of progression....
. Some parts of the lockdown were removed, though other areas remained sealed. The FBI was tasked with investigating the report.
Congressman Jim Saxton
Jim Saxton
Hugh James "Jim" Saxton is an American Republican Party politician. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives. He represented from 1984 to 1993. From 1993 to 2009, he represented .-Life:...
was reportedly the source of the false alarm, after he mistook construction sounds in the garage for gunfire. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/26/AR2006052600710_pf.html