[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 65 (Monday, May 23, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR THE GREATER WASHINGTON 
                             SOAP BOX DERBY

  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 238) authorizing the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res 238

       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),

     SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF SOAP BOX DERBY RACES ON CAPITOL 
                   GROUNDS.

       The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association 
     (hereinafter in this resolution referred to as the 
     ``Association'') shall be permitted to sponsor a public 
     event, soap box derby races, on the Capitol grounds on July 
     16, 1994, or on such other date as the Speaker of the House 
     of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the 
     Senate may jointly designate.

     SEC. 2. CONDITIONS.

       The event to be carried out under this resolution shall be 
     free of admission charge to the public and arranged not to 
     interfere with the needs of Congress, under conditions to be 
     prescribed by the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol 
     Police Board; except that the Association shall assume full 
     responsibility for all expenses and liabilities incident to 
     all activities associated with the event.

     SEC. 3. STRUCTURES AND EQUIPMENT.

       For the purposes of this resolution, the Association is 
     authorized to erect upon the Capitol grounds, subject to the 
     approval of the Architect of the Capitol, such stage, sound 
     amplification devices, and other related structures and 
     equipment as may be required for the event to be carried out 
     under this resolution.

     SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS.

       The Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board 
     are authorized to make any such additional arrangements that 
     may be required to carryout the even under this resolution.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio [Mr. Traficant] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Petri] will be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant].
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume. Mr. Speaker, I welcome the opportunity to speak today on House 
Concurrent Resolution 238. The resolution would authorize the Greater 
Washington Soap Box Derby Races to be run on the Capitol Grounds on 
July 16, 1994, subject to the approval of the Architect of the Capitol 
and the Capitol Police board.
  The races and the preparations for them provide for important 
benefits for the Metropolitan Washington, DC. area youth. These 
benefits include teaching basic skills in mechanics and aerodynamics as 
well as pride in workmanship and the joy of competition. The races are 
also exciting events for the entire family. The Greater Washington Soap 
Box Derby Association assumes all expenses and liability for the event 
which is free of charge to everyone.
  I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution and I reserve back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 238, a 
resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater 
Washington Soap Box Derby. This event, scheduled to take place on July 
16, 1994 is the fourth time that the Capitol Grounds will be used to 
host the local derby.
  For over 50 years, the Soap Box Derby has been in existence, with 
local qualifying events such as the upcoming Washington, DC. Derby. 
Winners in age categories from 9 to 16 advance to the finals in Akron, 
OH.
  I am pleased to lend my support to this worthwhile endeavor, and I 
congratulate my colleague, the gentleman from Maryland, the 
distinguished chairman of the Treasury, Postal, General Government 
Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee for once again 
sponsoring this legislation.
  I urge enactment of the resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no requests for time, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Petri] and 
all the Members on the minority side who have worked on this 
legislation, including the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Duncan], who 
has helped our committee.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the chairman of the 
House Public Works Committee, Mr. Mineta, the ranking member, Mr. 
Shuster, and the chairman of the Subcommittee on Public Buildings and 
Grounds, Mr. Traficant for their continued support and expeditious 
consideration of this bill.
  I rise today to urge my colleagues to support this resolution which 
authorizes the use of Constitution Avenue, NE., between Delaware and 
Third, for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. In addition, the 
Architect of the Capitol and the Sergeant at Arms, will negotiate a 
licensing agreement with the local Derby Association to ensure that 
there will be complete compliance with rules and regulations governing 
the use of Capitol Grounds.
  This year marks the 53d running of the Greater Washington Area Soap 
Box Derby, and the race is slated for July 16, 1994. More than 50 
participants ranging from ages 9 to 16 are expected to compete in the 
early summer race. They hail from Washington, DC and the surrounding 
communities of northern Virginia and Maryland. The winners of this 
local event will represent the Washington, DC, area in the national 
race which will be held in Akron, OH later this year.
  The Soap Box Derby provides our young people with an opportunity to 
gain valuable skills such as engineering and aerodynamics. Furthermore, 
the derby promotes team work, a strong sense of accomplishment, 
sportsmanship, leadership, and responsibility. As we all know, these 
are all positive attributes which these young people can carry into 
adulthood.
  Again, I want to thank the Committee on Public Works for its 
continued support of this project, and I strongly urge my colleagues to 
support this resolution.
  Mr. MINETA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent 
Resolution 238, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.
  The year the event will take place on July 16, 1994, and will be free 
of charge. The All-American Soap Box Derby and its local affiliate, the 
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association, sponsor this special 
event for young girls and boys from 9 to 16 years old who are residents 
of the Greater Washington area.
  The soap box derby races in Washington, DC, have taken place for over 
50 years and this will be the fourth time that part of the Capitol 
Grounds, Constitution Avenue NE., will be used. This event will teach 
youngsters who participate the basics of mechanics and aerodynamics as 
they design and build their race cars. Those who win on July 16 will 
advance to the National Soap Box Derby in Akron, OH.
  This event celebrates the important family value of parents and 
children working together to meet a goal. Furthermore, this event is 
well attended and the Committee on Public Works and Transportation is 
pleased to help make it possible for the Greater Washington Soap Box 
Derby to take place on the Capitol Grounds. I urge an ``aye'' vote on 
the resolution.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I have no requests for time, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant] that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 
238.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof), the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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