OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

In Celebration of Flood Building Centennial

Date: May 21, 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security


IN CELEBRATION OF FLOOD BUILDING CENTENNIAL -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 21, 2004)

SPEECH OF
HON. NANCY PELOSI
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2004

Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize the 100th Anniversary of the Flood Building of San Francisco and to have the opportunity to express my appreciation to the Flood family for their immeasurable contributions to the City of San Francisco over four generations.

It was a great pleasure to attend the Flood Building Centennial Celebration on April 16 and to celebrate with members of the Flood family. I particularly want to thank Jim Flood and Judy Wilbur for carrying on the outstanding traditions of their distinguished family.

The Flood Building was built by James L. Flood in 1904 as a tribute to his father, James Clair Flood. Architect Albert Pissis, a master of Beaux-Arts classicism, designed the Classic Revival structure, along with many other great works throughout San Francisco. At the time it was built, the 12-story Flood Building was the largest building in San Francisco.

The building's history is one of survival. It remained standing after both the 1906 and 1989 earthquakes that devastated San Francisco. In 1950, it was scheduled to be destroyed and replaced by a three-story modern structure, but the building was saved at the last minute when the Federal government seized it through the right of eminent domain. At the time, Washington was in desperate need of a San Francisco-based office to help manage the Korean War, and the Flood Building offered an ideal solution. The Federal government returned the building to the Flood family in 1953.

Today, Jim Flood-James Clair Flood II, named after his great grandfather-owns, manages, and has his office in the building, making it San Francisco's oldest family-owned commercial building. The Flood Building has flourished under his management, undergoing a $15 million renovation to restore the building to its original style. Architecturally, it is the most significant commercial building in San Francisco, and it was named a city landmark in 1982.

I join the Flood family and so many of my constituents in celebrating the 100th anniversary of this San Francisco treasure.

END

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