LEGISLATIVE BRANCH 45

fire-protection systems in the Capitol and Capitol complex; renovation, restoration, congressional office buildings; removal and modification of the interiors and of architectural barriers throughout the exteriors of the Thomas Jefferson and Capitol complex; publication of a new John Adams Buildings of the Library of history of the Capitol, the first such work Congress and provision of off-site book in almost a century; installation of an storage facilities for the Library; and improved Senate subway system; work management oversight of the Thurgood on security improvements within the Marshall Federal Judiciary Building.

For further information, contact the Office of the , U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC 20515. Phone, 202–228–1793. Internet, www.aoc.gov.

UNITED STATES BOTANIC GARDEN Office of Executive Director, 245 First Street SW., Washington, DC 20024 Phone, 202–226–8333. Internet, www.usbg.gov. Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20024 Phone, 202–225–8333 Production Facility, 4700 Shepherd Parkway SW., Washington, DC 20032 Phone, 202–563–2220

Director (Architect of the Capitol) ALAN M. HANTMAN, Acting Executive Director HOLLY H. SHIMIZU

The United States Botanic Garden informs visitors about the aesthetic, cultural, economic, therapeutic, and ecological importance of plants to the well-being of humankind.

The U.S. Botanic Garden has artistic an administration building, and an off- displays of plants, exhibits, and site Production facility. The Garden is educational programs promoting currently undergoing a significant botanical knowledge through the expansion and transformation. The cultivation of an ordered collection of Conservatory, one of the largest plants; fostering plant conservation by structures of its kind in this country, re- acting as a repository for endangered opened on December 11, 2001, after species; and growing plants for the undergoing major renovation that beautification of the Capitol complex. required more than 4 years to complete. Uniquely situated at the heart of the U.S. In addition to upgraded amenities for Government, the Garden seeks to visitors, it features 12 new exhibit and promote the exchange of ideas and plant display areas. Renovation of the information relevant to its mission administration building and Bartholdi among national and international visitors Park are scheduled for 2005–2006. A and policymakers. new public feature, the National Garden, The Garden’s collections include is planned for the three-acre site just orchids, epiphytes, bromeliads, west of the Conservatory. carnivorous plants, ferns, cycads, cacti, Outdoor plantings are showcased in succulents, medicinal plants, rare and , a home landscape endangered plants, and plants valued as demonstration area located across from sources of food, beverages, fibers, the Conservatory. Each of the displays is cosmetics, and industrial products. sized and scaled for suitability in an The U.S. Botanic Garden’s facilities urban or suburban setting. The gardens include the Conservatory, Bartholdi Park, display ornamental plants that perform

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well in this region arrayed in a variety of which had also assumed responsibility styles and themes. Also located in this for publication of the results of the park is Bartholdi , created by Expedition. Expansion of the Patent Fre´de´ric Auguste Bartholdi (1834–1904), Office in 1849 necessitated finding a sculptor of the . new location for the botanical The Garden’s staff is organized into collections. horticulture, operations, administration, and public programs divisions. Programs The act of May 15, 1850 (9 Stat. 427), for the public are listed in a quarterly provided for the relocation of the calendar of events and also on the Botanic Garden under the direction of Garden’s Web site. A horticultural the Joint Committee on the Library. The hotline is available to answer questions site selected was on The Mall at the west from the public. end of the Capitol Grounds, practically The U.S. Botanic Garden was founded the same site the Garden occupied in 1820 under the auspices of the during the period it functioned under the Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Columbia Institute. This site was later Arts and Sciences, an organization that enlarged, and the main area continued was the outgrowth of an association to serve as the principal Garden site known as the Metropolitan Society, from 1850 to 1933, when the Garden which received its charter from Congress was relocated to its site. on April 20, 1818. The Garden Although the Government had continued under the direction of the assumed responsibility for the Institute until 1837, when the Institute maintenance and stewardship of the ceased to exist as an active organization. plant collection in 1842, the two In June 1842, the U.S. Exploring functions were divided between the Expedition under the command of Commissioner of Public Buildings and Captain Charles Wilkes returned from its the Joint Committee on the Library, 4-year voyage with a wealth of repectively. In 1856, in recognition of information, artifacts, pressed-plant their increasing stature, the collections specimens, and living plants. The living plants were temporarily placed on and their associated operations and exhibit on a lot behind the old Patent facilities were officially named the Office under the care of William D. United States Botanic Garden, and the Brackenridge, the Expedition’s botanist. Joint Committee on the Library assumed By November, the plants were moved jurisdiction over both its direction and into a greenhouse built there with funds maintenance (11 Stat. 104). An annual appropriated by Congress. Subsequently, appropriation has been provided by the greenhouse was expanded with two Congress since 1856. additions and a small growing area to Presently, the Joint Committee on the care for the burgeoning collection. In Library exercises its supervision through 1843, stewardship of the collection was the Architect of the Capitol, who has placed under the direction and control held the title of Acting Director since of the Joint Committee on the Library, 1934.

For further information concerning the United States Botanic Garden, contact the Public Programs Division, 245 First Street SW., Washington, DC 20024. Phone, 202–225–8333. Plant Hotline, 202–226– 4785. Internet, www.usbg.gov. E-mail, [email protected].

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