Regarding the Stearns’ amendment to the Continuing Resolution, which would prohibit funding for badly needed renovation for the United Nations headquarters in New York City, Congresswoman Brown issued the following statement:
“I strongly opposed the Stearns amendment because if this amendment were enacted into law, it would make the existing security vulnerabilities at the United Nations headquarters in New York City even worse. The plan that has been drawn up to renovate the building, The United Nations Capital Master Plan, addresses numerous safety and security concerns to the UN staff, diplomats, as well as visitors. The United Nations is an entity that receives approximately 5,000 delegates annually from around the world and nearly 300,000 tourists, about 40 percent of whom are Americans. In addition, nearly 4,300 people work at the U.N. headquarters complex, including 1,280 Americans; and this complex, the majority of which is 55 years old, is not in compliance with New York City building and life safety codes or modern security requirements. That said, it is for obvious reasons that the building is in desperate need of renovation.
Moreover, it has been over fifty years since the building was last renovated. In its current state, the complex poses a terrible risk to those who work inside the building, in the surrounding neighborhood, and for all of the first responders. Although the grave state of disrepair may be hidden from obvious public view, it is putting the health and safety of thousands in great danger. In addition, the complex does not have a sprinkler system, is filled with asbestos, and leaks heat during the winter months.
In July of 2005, U.N. Undersecretary-General Christopher Burnham, in his testimony before Congress, said that ‘a major fire would sweep up the sides of the building within minutes…If one of the massive steam pipes which now leak were to blow, there's a real potential that a large area surrounding the U.N. would be contaminated with asbestos, requiring the evacuation of the area until cleaning crews could decontaminate it...”
The United Nations, an organization designed in the aftermath of World War II to maintain international peace and security, as well as promote good will and peaceful relations among world nations, improve living standards, human rights and individual freedom, is of utmost importance not only to our security, but towards the goal of improving the lives of the world’s nearly 7 billion people. And as a participant and partner in this unified, global body, it is our responsibility to contribute financially to a portion of the organization’s structure and maintenance.”