Prepared Remarks of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
Thank you for that nice introduction. It’s nice to be with you today.
There are many people to thank today for bringing us to this point. I’d like to start by thanking the Judges of the Northern District, the General Services Administration and the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts for their hard work and leadership to bring a new federal courthouse to Cedar Rapids. You all have been catalysts for this construction project.
Thanks are also due to the City of Cedar Rapids, which accepted the challenge over a decade ago to assist in this endeavor. The courthouse would have taken longer had they not exchanged land with the federal government for this facility. The reward for the City and the people is a well-designed and impressive new layout for the downtown.
I want to thank Mayor Halloran for being here today. I have worked on the courthouse construction project for many years and have seen many Mayors of the city during this time. I want to acknowledge Lee Clancey, Paul Pate, Larry Serbousek and Don Canney, all former mayors of this great city. Thank you for getting this project off the ground. You have played a big role in bringing us here today.
I have to admit: every time a delegation from Cedar Rapids traveled to Washington D.C. I knew what issue would be on the agenda. Whether it was a federal judge, the chamber of commerce, a businessman or local resident, I knew I would have to explain the status and progress of the federal courthouse.
But, today I’m here today to report good news. The courthouse is on schedule!!
Even before the floods of 2008, the courthouse was in dire need. The old courthouse downtown was built in 1931. It served its purpose, but space was limited.
In 1989, the old courthouse was found to have insufficient space and security to serve the needs of the court and related agencies. There were serious functional, security and space needs that couldn’t be met in that building.
Almost twenty years have passed. Iowans have been patient. Cedar Rapids has been patient. Today, we celebrate that patience!
Benjamin Franklin once said, “He that can have patience, can have what he will.”
The people of Cedar Rapids are finally seeing the benefits of patience. They are being rewarded with 288,666 square feet of space. The employees of this federal courthouse will be rewarded with four courtrooms, plus a special ceremonial courtroom, and nine chambers for residents and visiting judges.
I’m very happy to be a part of this celebration today, and look forward to taking a tour of the new courthouse in the very near future.
Thank you.