[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 26, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H2847-H2848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   AUTHORIZING RUNNING OF 1996 SPECIAL OLYMPICS TORCH RELAY THROUGH 
                            CAPITOL GROUNDS

  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 146) authorizing the 1996 
Special Olympics Torch Relay to be run through the Capitol Grounds.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 146

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

     SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF RUNNING OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS TORCH 
                   RELAY THROUGH CAPITOL GROUNDS.

       On May 24, 1996, or on such other date as the Speaker of 
     the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of 
     the Senate may jointly designate, the 1996 Special Olympics 
     Torch Relay may be run through the Capitol Grounds, as part 
     of the journey of the Special Olympics torch to the District 
     of Columbia Special Olympics summer games at Gallaudet 
     University in the District of Columbia.

     SEC. 2. RESPONSIBILITY OF CAPITOL POLICE BOARD.

       The Capitol Police Board shall take such actions as may be 
     necessary to carry out section 1.

     SEC. 3. CONDITIONS RELATING TO PHYSICAL PREPARATIONS.

       The Architect of the Capitol may prescribe conditions for 
     physical preparations for the event authorized by section 1.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Maryland [Mr. Gilchrest] and the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant] 
will each be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Gilchrest].
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
   Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 146 would authorize the 
Special Olympics torch to be run on the Capitol Grounds on May 24, 
1996, as part of the journey of this torch to the Special Olympics 
summer games at Gallaudet University here in the District of Columbia.
  This is an annual event and one which this committee has supported 
several times through resolutions authorizing the use of the Capitol 
Grounds for this purpose. This year approximately 3,000 members of 60 
local and Federal law enforcement agencies throughout the region will 
participate in this 26-mile relay run through the city in support of 
the Special Olympics.
  This program gives handicapped children and adults the opportunity to 
participate in sporting events.
  Because of laws prohibiting open flames on Capitol Grounds, and 
because of safety concerns about activities taking place thereon, this 
resolution is necessary to permit the relay to occur. The resolution 
authorizes the Capitol Police Board to take necessary action to insure 
the safety of the Capitol, and the Architect of the Capitol may set 
forth conditions on the participation of this event.
  This is a very worthwhile endeavor and I strongly encourage my 
colleagues to support this measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. 
Gilchrest] for the fine job he has done with our subcommittee, and I 
wholeheartedly support House Concurrent Resolution 146 to authorize the 
use of the Capitol Grounds for this special event, the Special Olympics 
Torch Relay. This relay event is traditionally part of the opening 
ceremonies for the Special Olympics, which takes place at Gallaudet 
University here in the District. It is a fine annual event.
  The games provide athletic competitive opportunities for over 2,200 
Special Olympians in 17 respective events. The goal of the games is to 
help bring all mentally handicapped individuals into the large society 
under conditions whereby they are accepted and respected. Today more 
than 1 million children and adults with mental retardation participate 
in Special Olympics programs worldwide.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Gilchrest] for 
bringing the resolution to the floor and for the fine job he and his 
staff have done with our subcommittee, and I urge support on this very 
worthwhile cause.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
in order to thank the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant] and the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia [Ms. Norton] for their 
participation in this worthy event, and for this worthy resolution.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I want to echo those remarks by the 
gentleman from Maryland.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the 
distinguished gentlewoman from the District of Columbia [Ms. Norton], 
who has done an outstanding job in our Congress.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to 
me, and for his kind remarks.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman of the committee, the 
gentleman from Maryland, Mr. Gilchrest, as well as the ranking member, 
the gentleman from Ohio, Jim Traficant, for their leadership on House 
Concurrent Resolution 146, the Special Olympics torch relay bill.
  This body rarely authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for 
staging special events. The 11th annual torch relay for the D.C. 
Special Olympics is a worthy exception. This event, organized by more 
than 650 Federal and local law enforcement agencies in the District, is 
a special part of the opening ceremony for the D.C. Special Olympics at 
Gallaudet University. This year I am pleased that Coolidge High School 
in my district is also providing playing fields for some of the events.
  The law enforcement torch relay raises both funds and awareness for 
D.C. Special Olympics. More than 2,400 officers follow the lighted 
torch through the District. This outpouring is a fitting tribute to the 
D.C. Special Olympics, and to the 2,200 local Special Olympians in 17 
events. I applaud the Downtown Jaycees who started the Special Olympics 
in 1969, Eunice Shriver, the founder, the law enforcement officers who 
will participate, and especially, this year's Special Olympians.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution to 
allow the Special Olympics Torch Relay to be run through the Capitol 
Grounds. The District of Columbia Special Olympics will be held May 13-
23, 1996. The Special Olympics torch will be run across Capitol Grounds 
as part of the opening ceremonies which take place at Gallaudet 
University. As in the past, local law enforcement officials will 
participate in carrying the torch to the opening ceremony.
  The DC Special Olympics provides opportunity for approximately 2,200 
local Special Olympians in 17 events. Worldwide, over 1 million 
mentally challenged adults and children

[[Page H2848]]

participate in the Special Olympics program. Through successful 
experiences and athletic competition, Special Olympians gain 
confidence, build a positive self image, and greatly enhance their 
ability to contribute to society.
  I thank Mr. Gilchrest for introducing House Concurrent Resolution 
146, and I commend him and Mr. Traficant for their leadership on this 
issue. I wholeheartedly support this resolution and urge its adoption.
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I again join forces with the gentleman 
from Maryland [Mr. Gilchrest] to urge an ``aye'' vote, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Gilchrest] that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, House Concurrent 
Resolution 146.
  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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