Galveston Historical Foundation closer to buying Old Customs House with Ron Paul legislation

It's a fine old buiding, the Old Customs House in Galveston, and it seems entirely fitting that GHF gets the inside track to acquire it, as that nonprofit group has done so much for the island.

We received the following press release from our new friend Rachel Mills, press secretary to US Rep. Ron Paul:

Congressman Ron Paul’s legislation regarding the U.S. Custom House Building in Galveston was passed yesterday on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. 
 
HR 2121 directs the General Services Administration (GSA) to sell for fair market value, the 1861 U.S. Custom House located in Galveston to the Galveston Historical Foundation.
 
The two story structure was built in 1861 and has served many important historical functions, including housing the ceremony that officially ended the Civil War in Galveston in 1865.   It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Galveston Historical Foundation has been leasing the building from the GSA and performing renovations on it since 1998.
 
“This building truly is the pride of Galveston and is historically important to Texas.  Owning the building as opposed to leasing it will give the Foundation greater flexibility to restore it and to better fund that restoration.  We are very excited that yesterday’s vote was in our favor,” stated Dwayne Jones, Executive Director of the Galveston Historical Foundation.
 
Congressman Paul is hopeful that this bill will pass the Senate and be signed into law very soon.