Hoyer Remarks at "We're All In: Bringing the FBI to Prince George's County" Press Conference
COLLEGE PARK, MD –Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) delivered remarks at a press conference with Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III, Governor Martin O'Malley, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Senator Barbara Mikulski, Senator Ben Cardin, Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards, Maryland State Senator Doug Peters, Maryland State Delegate Jolene Ivey, and Prince George's County Council Chairman Mel Franklin to promote Prince George's County as the right choice for relocating the new, consolidated Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
"Good afternoon. I am here today, along with other Members of the Maryland delegation and state and local officials to declare that at every level of government, Team Maryland is fully behind Prince George's County as the next home of the FBI's headquarters.
"Proximity to Washington, efficient transit connections, world-class institutions of research and higher education, and great neighborhoods all make Prince George's County the right choice for the FBI.
"But the General Services Administration shouldn't just take my word for it. An honest analysis of costs, convenience, security, transportation options, and regional equity in the distribution of federal facilities makes Prince George's County the clear, number one choice.
"The important work of the FBI depends on its ability to attract and sustain a top-notch workforce. Being located here in Prince George's County will make that task easier.
"Our county continues to grow as an attractive place to work, live, and raise a family.
"The County is a short drive from BWI Marshall Airport and is at the intersection of major highways like interstate 95, the beltway, U.S. route 50, and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. Reagan-National and Dulles airports are within easy reach as well. And field agents can also utilize Joint Base Andrews.
"Amtrak, MARC, and Metro all serve the county.
"Fort Meade, Joint Base Andrews, and a host of cyber security and defense facilities are located in either in the county or within a short distance.
"The FBI has identified cyber security as one of its top priorities, and its agents would benefit greatly from the significant growth in Maryland's cyber security sector.
"The bureau could also draw on local educational institutions for recruits and expert analysis, including the University Of Maryland College Park, UMBC, Bowie State, Prince George's Community College, Anne Arundel Community College's Cyber Center, and others.
"Moreover, an estimated 43% of FBI headquarters employees already call Maryland home. Siting the new headquarters in Prince George's County will cut down on commute times and expenses and improve employee morale.
"Serving as the new home for the FBI would also benefit the county.
"Right now, Prince George's County is home to only 4% of federal leased office space in the national capital region. Virginia has 36% of the leased space and Fairfax county alone has 11%.
"While warehouse space in other counties accounts for 15% or less, half of leased space in Prince George's is warehouse space. Hosting the FBI would significantly improve that ratio and bring it more in line with other counties in our region.
"We have a strong business community in the county that is committed to bringing the FBI. here, in part because doing so will help further the economic development taking place, which benefits communities county-wide. In fact, Kathleen Snyder, President and CEO of the Maryland Chamber, has identified the FBI project as ‘one of the Maryland Chamber's top priorities.'
"We recognize that there is strong competition from Virginia, which is already home to many federal agencies, but we believe it is crystal clear that selecting Prince George's County will be the best decision for the FBI, for American taxpayers, and for the county as well.
"As the General Services Administration moves forward with the process of site selection, all of us here will be working closely together to make the strongest case possible for bringing this headquarters to Prince George's County."