[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 27, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H6377-H6378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR GREATER WASHINGTON SOAP BOX 
                                 DERBY

  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the 
Speaker's table the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 38) authorizing 
the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box 
Derby, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.

                              {time}  2115

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Diaz-Balart). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Maryland?
  Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I will not 
object, of course, but I yield to the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. 
Gilchrest] for an explanation of his request.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, this resolution authorizes the Greater 
Washington Soap Box Derby races to be run on the Capitol Grounds on 
July 15, 1995, or on such other date as the Speaker of the House and 
President pro tempore of the Senate so designate. This free event is 
sponsored by the All American Soap Box Derby and its local affiliate, 
the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association. Its participants are 
young girls and boys from 9 to 16 years old who reside in the Greater 
Washington metropolitan area.
  Pursuant to this resolution the association would assume full 
responsibility for any expenses involved with the event and for any 
liability related to it. The association also agrees to make any 
necessary arrangements for the races with the approval of the Architect 
of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board.
  For 50 years the Soap Box Derby races have taken place in Washington, 
D.C., and this will be the fifth time that the Capitol Grounds will be 
used for the races down Constitution Avenue.
  Every year this event helps teach participating youngsters the basics 
of mechanics and aerodynamics as they design and build their race cars. 
It is truly an exciting event for the entire family.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution so that this activity 
may take place.
  Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, I yield 
to the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Hoyer].
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from West Virginia for 
yielding to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Shuster, the ranking Member, 
the gentleman from California, Mr. Mineta, my friend and colleague, the 
gentleman from Maryland, Wayne Gilchrest, and the gentleman from West 
Virginia, Bob Wise, for their strong support and continued assistance 
in expediting consideration of this bill today.
  This resolution authorizes the use of Constitution Avenue between 
Delaware Avenue and Third Street for the 54th running of the Greater 
Washington Soap Box Derby on July 15, 1995. This competition is part of 
the All-American Soap Box Derby held later this summer in Akron, OH.
  The resolution also authorizes the Architect of the Capitol and the 
Capitol Police to negotiate a licensing agreement with the Greater 
Washington Soap Box Derby Association to assure that there will be 
complete compliance with rules and regulations governing use of the 
Capitol Grounds.
  For the past 4 years, I have proudly sponsored this bill along with 
regional Members and sports fans. It provides young boys and girls, 
ages 9 to 16, with an invaluable opportunity to develop and practice 
both sportsmanship and engineering skills.
  This year, over 50 participants from Washington, DC and the 
surrounding communities of northern Virginia and Maryland are expected 
to participate in this year's event. I am pleased that boys and girls 
representing all five counties in my district will be competing in this 
year's derby.
  The Soap Box Derby promotes a positive activity involving our young 
people. All too often, we hear many disturbing stories about negative 
activities youth are involved in.
  I am reminded of a statement Ken Tomasello, the director of Greater 
Washington Soap Box Derby Association, made to me 4 years ago when I 
introduced the first resolution for use of 

[[Page H 6378]]
the Capitol Grounds. He said, in short, ``while the derby doesn't keep 
kids off the street, it does give them a drug free activity on the 
street.''
  The young people involved spend many months preparing for this race. 
The day they actually compete provides them with a sense of achievement 
and comraderie, not only for themselves but also for their families and 
friends.
  This worthwhile event provides the participants, tourists, and local 
residents with a safe and enjoyable day of activities. I would like to 
take this opportunity to congratulate them for their achievements and 
wish them all well in this year's race.
  Again, I want to thank the Transportation Committee for its continued 
support of the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby and I encourage all of 
my colleagues to attend this year's race.
  Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, further reserving the right to object, I join 
my colleague Mr. Gilchrest in supporting House Concurrent Resolution 
38, a resolution to authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. The event is scheduled for July 15, 
1995, and part of the Capitol Grounds as well as Constitution Ave. NE., 
will be used for the race.
  Boys and girls, ages 9 through 16, design, build and race their own 
soap box cars. In the process they become familiar with the principles 
of aerodynamics and mechanics. In addition, the entire family can 
participate in, and enjoy the fun and activities of the day.
  The winner of the Washington race will then compete in the national 
competition in Akron, OH.
  This is a very worthwhile, well attended activity. I wish to commend 
Mr. Hoyer for his support for this annual event, and urge support for 
House Concurrent Resolution 38.
  Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 38

       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 
     15, 1995, 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 carry out the event under this resolution.

  The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
  

                          ____________________