James S. Brady Press briefing Room retired?

Media Pull Out of One Combat Zone

Media Pull Out of One Combat Zone
White House to Be Free of Embedded Press During Rebuilding

By Peter Baker
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, August 3, 2006; Page A25

As on the closing night of a long-running play, a lot of the old stars came out for the White House briefing rooms finale. There were press secretaries for five of the last six presidents, and reporters who have haunted the building since John F. Kennedy. The current tenant stopped by. And for old times' sake, Sam Donaldson showed up to shout questions again.

After 13,271 days of constant spinning, the broken-down, rat-infested firetrap officially known as the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room was retired yesterday.

During the Clinton Admin. I had the pleasure of helping White House Communication Director George Caudall place the plague before the dedication of the room and which included the upgrade to Handicapped access. We will be watching to see if once the room reopens will it be ADA compliant and do they call it the same name.

Breifing room