[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 62 (Tuesday, May 7, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H4442-H4446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR EVENT SPONSORED BY SPECIALTY
EQUIPMENT MARKET ASSOCIATION
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 150) authorizing the use of the
Capitol Grounds for an event sponsored by the Specialty Equipment
Market Association, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 150
Whereas the United States public has demonstrated a
continuing love affair with motor vehicles since their
introduction 100 years ago, enjoying vehicles for
transportation, for enthusiast endeavors ranging from racing
to show competitions, and as a mode of individual expression;
Whereas research and development in connection with
motorsports competition and speciality applications have
provided consumers with life-saving safety features,
including seat belts, air bags, and many other important
innovations;
Whereas hundreds of thousands of amateur and professional
participants enjoy motorsports competitions each year
throughout the United States;
Whereas such competitions have a total annual attendance in
excess of 14,500,000 spectators, making the competitions
among the most widely attended in United States sports; and
Whereas sales of motor vehicle parts and accessories for
performance and appearance enhancement, restoration, and
modification exceeded $15,000,000,000 in 1995, resulting in
500,000 jobs for United States citizens: Now therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring),
SECTION 1. USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR SPECIALITY MOTOR
VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT EVENT.
On May 16, 1996, or such other date as the Speaker of the
House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the
Senate may jointly designate there is authorized to be
conducted on the Capitol Grounds a public event (in this
resolution referred to as the ``event'') displaying racing,
restored, and customized motor vehicles and transporters.
SEC. 2. CONDITIONS.
The event 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. The sponsor of the
event shall assume full responsibility for all expenses and
liabilities incident to all activities associated with the
event.
SEC. 3. STRUCTURE AND EQUIPMENT.
For the purposes of this resolution, the sponsor of the
event is authorized to erect upon the Capitol Grounds,
subject to the approval of the Architect of the Capitol, such
[[Page H4443]]
stage, sound amplification devices, tents, and other related
structures and equipment as may be necessary for the event.
The sponsor is further authorized to display racing,
restored, and customized motor vehicles and transporters in
the condition in which they appear.
SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS.
The Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board
are authorized to make any additional arrangement that may be
required to carry out the event.
SEC. 5. LIMITATIONS ON REPRESENTATIONS.
The sponsor of the event (including its members) shall not
represent, either directly or indirectly, that this
resolution or any activity carried out under this resolution
in any way constitutes approval or endorsement by the Federal
Government of the sponsor (or its members) or any product
or service offered by the sponsor (or its members).
SEC. 6. PHOTOGRAPHS.
The event may be conducted only after the Architect of the
Capitol and the Capitol Police Board enter into an agreement
with the sponsor of the event, with each person owning a
vehicle to be displayed at the event, and with the
manufacturers of such vehicles that prohibits the sponsor and
the vehicle owners and manufacturer from using any photograph
taken at the event for a commercial purpose. The agreement
shall provide for financial penalties to be imposed if any
photograph is used in violation of this section.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Maryland [Mr. Gilchrest] and the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr.
Oberstar] 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, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 150, as
amended, a resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for a
specialty motor vehicle and equipment event. This resolution authorizes
the Special Equipment Marketing Association to conduct a public event
on the Capitol Grounds displaying racing, restored, and customized
motor vehicles and trucks. The event will be part of an American picnic
on the Capitol Grounds celebrating 100 years of the introduction of the
automobile.
Motor sports is a large spectator sports in American drawing millions
of fans every year to events. The specialty equipment industry, which
manufacturers many of the products used in racing vehicles, employs
500,000 Americans and generates $15 billion in revenue.
The bill specifies May 16, 1996, as the date on which the event would
occur. It would not detract from the ceremony which will honor our
peace officers, which event is now occurring on the 15th of May, and
honoring these peace officers who have died in the line of duty will
not be interfered with at all.
Mr. Speaker, the event is to be free of charge, and the Architect and
Capitol Police Board are to specify conditions for the event so as not
to interfere with the needs of Congress. The sponsor is to assume full
responsibility for all expenses and liabilities associated with the
event. The resolution authorizes the sponsor to display racing,
restored, and customized motor vehicles and trucks in the condition in
which they currently appear. This will allow these special vehicles to
be displayed in their original or unaltered state. Many of these
vehicles display decals or stickers promoting commercial sponsors. This
amendment would permit these vehicles to be displayed without
alteration.
Subject to the approval of the Architect, the sponsor may erect
stage, sound amplification devices, tents or other structures necessary
for the event. The sponsor, including its members, may not represent
that the resolution nor any activities carried out under it constitutes
approval or endorsement by the Federal Government of the sponsor, its
members, or any product or services offered by the sponsor or its
members.
Finally, the resolution provides that the event may be conducted only
after the Architect and the Capitol Police Board enter into an
agreement with the sponsor and the owners and manufacturers of vehicles
to be displayed that prohibits the use of photos taken at the event for
commercial purposes. Finally, penalties would be imposed for those
violations.
This resolution has the support of the resolution's sponsor, the
sponsor of the event. I would like to thank my colleagues on the other
side of the aisle for their assistance in crafting compromise language
so this event may go forward. I urge my colleagues to support this
resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 150, as amended, would
authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for a display of specialty
vehicles, including racing cars and antique cars.
Mr. Speaker, as I understand this event, like other events on the
Capitol Grounds, it will be open to the public and will be free of
charge. The amended resolution before us includes some substantial
improvements over the introduced resolution.
In my opinion, the concurrent resolution as introduced did not
contain sufficient safeguards to ensure that the authorized event would
be consistent with our longstanding and bipartisan policy, and one
enforced by the previous Architect of the Capitol, that the Capitol
Grounds should not be used for commercial purposes. I frankly find it
offensive that anybody would want to do such a thing.
Mr. Speaker, I had two major concerns in that regard about the
introduced resolution, First, it did not prohibit the cars on display
from being covered with decals advertising automotive and other
products. Second, there did not appear to be adequate protections to
assure that photographs of cars on the Capitol Grounds would not be
used in commercial advertising; the selling of the Capitol, it seemed
to me.
We discussed this a great deal with our good friend, the gentleman
from Maryland [Mr. Gilchrest], the very thoughtful and concerned Member
of Congress, for whom I have great respect and appreciation. The
amended resolution now deals with these issues. It did not totally
prohibit the decals. We were advised in the course of these discussions
that the event would not be able to go forward with a total ban on
decals, since owners would not be willing to display their cars with
the decals covered up with masking tape, which I frankly suggested.
However, the bill limits the decals to those that are already on the
car, so they cannot put new ones on. I do not know how we are going to
monitor that, test it, or check it, but we will take them at their
word.
With respect to photographs, the amended resolution includes a
provision prohibiting the sponsor of the event, the person displaying
the vehicles, and the manufacturers of the vehicles, from using
photographs of the event for commercial purposes. I hope, I just
strongly, hope, that these prohibitions, which carry financial
penalties, will control the potential for commercialization of the U.S.
Capitol.
I know the gentleman from Maryland shares that concern. He has
endeavored vigorously to achieve the same objective. I believe with his
vigilance and with the attention that has been drawn to this subject
that the commercialization, the use of the U.S. Capitol for commercial
purposes, will not go forward.
Mr. Speaker, I think these protections are as good as we can get,
short of not allowing the event. Congress has an obligation, Mr.
Speaker, I feel very strong about this, to ensure that the Capitol
Grounds are used in a fitting and in a proper manner. Use of grounds
for a commercial purpose detracts from the integrity of this national
treasure and this landmark that belongs to all of us, to all Americans.
It offends me, frankly, that groups that criticize Washington and
criticize government then want to turn around and use Washington and
its most important symbol, the U.S. Capitol, to further their own
commercial purposes. I find that inconsistent, I find that offensive.
{time} 1445
Use of the grounds of the U.S. Capitol should be reserved for events
that have public significance, that have national significance, that
have broad national interest, such as the Special Olympics torch relay
run, the memorial ceremony honoring law enforcement officers killed in
the line of duty.
Even in those, as in this particular event with racing cars, we ought
to be sensitive to safeguarding the integrity of this very treasured
national symbol
[[Page H4444]]
of freedom. It is, after all, a symbol of freedom. It is not a symbol
of commerce.
I think the amendment before us achieves those objectives, responds
to my concerns, and I appreciate the cooperation I have had from the
gentleman from Maryland and the sensitivity and concern and cooperation
we have had from the chairman of the full committee.
Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. OBERSTAR. I yield to the gentlewoman from Colorado.
Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, I was in the Cloakroom, and I really
want to congratulate the gentleman on his statement. I am a little
stunned at what I think I heard. We are turning the Capitol Grounds
into kind of a car lot with this resolution? Is that what I heard?
Mr. OBERSTAR. There is going to be a display of vehicles in honor of
the 100th anniversary of motor vehicles.
Mrs. SCHROEDER. If the gentleman will yield further, what a precedent
this is. Does this then mean we can do all sorts of future displays for
any commercial thing that wants to come in here?
Mr. OBERSTAR. We have attempted to restrict the opportunity for
commercialization with the language included in this resolution that
the gentleman from Maryland has included, and with his splendid
cooperation, to prevent use of photographs for commercial purposes, to
limit the amount of commercialization evident on the vehicles to be
displayed here.
Mrs. SCHROEDER. If the gentleman will yield further, I am very glad
that the gentleman was there and vigilant and got those amendments in,
but I am a little troubled at the time we are going through this gas
crisis and everything else that we are going to turn, I think, the
Capitol Grounds into a parking lot and a public display.
I hope we have a vote on this, because I would like to see how
Members vote on this issue. I am stunned. I never saw anything like
this in my 24 years and I am troubled as to why it comes up now, but I
thank the gentleman for his hard work.
Mr. OBERSTAR. I thank the gentlewoman.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I share many of the sentiments of the gentleman from Minnesota in his
concerns about commercializing the Capitol Grounds and also I share the
concerns of the gentlewoman from Colorado for the same reason. This
will not specifically be on the Capitol Grounds. It is across the
street and to the rear of the Senate office buildings, so we will not
see any motor vehicles right here directly on the Capitol Grounds.
I would also like to reemphasize two areas that the gentleman from
Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar] emphasized, as far as these motor vehicles
will not be able to use this particular display for profit or for
commercializing any of their products. It is the 100-year anniversary
of the automobile in the United States, and I know we have troubles
through the years as far as gas taxes are concerned, gas crises are
concerned, environmental issues are concerned.
It is not my intent nor is it the intent of this committee to demean
the Capitol Grounds in any way, shape or form by sponsoring motor
vehicles and expending more gasoline products. That is exactly the
opposite of what we are trying to do. What we are trying to do is to
come up with some consensus language on both sides of the aisle so we
can have some understanding how to put forth a display which will be
off the Capitol Grounds, on property owned by the U.S. Capitol but not
on the Capitol Grounds proper, so we can have some sense of history.
As a former school teacher, I know that when I have brought students
here for many, many years, the students found many fascinating things
about Washington, DC, and we could always associate something, some
type of display, whether it was on the Mall or up here dealing with the
issue of democracy and the issue of debate. We are now engaged in a
debate whether or not this is a proper use of the Capitol Grounds.
It is my judgment, after consultation with the gentleman from
Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar] and the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant],
that we have realized some of these issues and that we will go forward
with this event ensuring, with the legislation's specific language,
that none of the uses of these motor vehicles, which are all U.S.-
manufactured motor vehicles, can be used in any way for the advancement
of any particular product.
Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. GILCHREST. I yield to the gentlewoman from Colorado.
Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, if this display is not going to be on
the Capitol Grounds, as I think I heard the gentleman say, then why do
we need the resolution?
Mr. GILCHREST. Reclaiming my time, I said it is not on the Capitol
Grounds proper. In other words, when we say the Capitol Grounds, people
right away think it is going to be right in front of the west side or
the east side of the Capitol.
It is, properly spoken, Capitol Grounds, but we could not see this
display from the Capitol. We would have to walk across the street to
the other side of the U.S. Senate office buildings before we could see
the display. So I wanted to make a distinction. It is not right here on
the east front or the west front of the U.S. Capitol.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California [Mr.
Cunningham].
Mr. CUNNINGHAM. I thank my friend for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, for years we have been touting American workers, and I
would say to my friend from Ohio [Mr. Traficant], who fights for
American products and ``Made in America,'' these are American cars. For
100 years Americans have been making these products. My colleagues on
the other side say they are big strong supporters of the unions. It is
mostly union members that make these cars and they have for 100 years.
I think we need to show that we are proud of our products. Only a few
short years ago there were other products that came into this country
that cut them out. For 100 years our workers have been the finest in
the world, and I think we need to honor them. I laud the gentleman for
his initiative.
Mr. GILCHREST. I thank the gentleman.
Mr. Speaker, one other quick comment. We do have, and I know this is
not on the Capitol Grounds but it is on The Mall, we have the Air and
Space Museum that sort of in some indirect way, I guess, promotes air
travel and specific airlines. We have the American History Museum. I
really do not want to get into a semantic argument here, but I do think
we have come up with a fairly consensus bill on both sides of the
aisles.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania
[Mr. Walker].
Mr. WALKER. I thank the gentleman for yielding me the time. I want to
congratulate him for bringing the resolution to the floor. I rise in
support of the resolution.
Mr. Speaker, for 100 years the American automobile has been a part
of the American scene. It has transformed the way in which we live, the
way in which we work. It has been an important part of our entire
history for the last 100 years. This display is in congratulations and
celebration of that very fact.
The fact is that for people who are concerned about this, when they
go to the Smithsonian. They will find cars on display in the
Smithsonian museum, they will find racing cars, for instance, in the
Smithsonian that actually have decals on them.
There are in fact historic reasons why there has been a link between
motor sports and people who are willing to pay the bill. For that 100-
year history, motor sports has been a part of it. The fact is that
today it has become the largest single spectator sport in the country.
That is motor racing. All over this country, in small communities and
in large, there are people who spend their weekends going out. Some of
the language I have heard on the floor today is kind of an insult to
some of those people who find this to be an enjoyable sport and who
participate in it honorably and go as spectators.
The fact is also that there are hundreds of thousands of people who
participate each year in car shows, that simply go to look at products
and look
[[Page H4445]]
at restored kinds of vehicles. There are hundreds of thousands of
people who participate in the actual restoration of automobiles and in
the historic sense of preserving that piece of Americana that was built
years ago.
There are lots of people out there who regard these phases of motor
sports as an intimate part of their lives and think that it is entirely
appropriate to have a display on the 100th anniversary of the motor
vehicle on the Capitol Grounds in celebration of that fact. That is
what we are doing here. This is not a commercial kind of display at
all. It has nothing to do with commercialism.
It is the same kind of thing that often goes on in the Capitol
Building. When we have a historic event, we actually bring the
artifacts of that historic event to the Capitol to allow the public to
see them. That is what is happening here. I congratulate the gentleman
for his resolution.
Mr. GILCHREST. I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania. I might say
that I think maybe the largest spectator sport is little league
baseball, or maybe it might be a close second there.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant].
Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, we end up getting in major debates over
items that need not be controversial around here. I have a few
questions. I would like to join in an ongoing colloquy if I could
without a lot of parliamentary discourse.
But in the process when we discussed this, there was a special
section put that would prohibit the use of photos of this event for
commercial purposes. I want to thank Chairman Gilchrest for that.
Further, there have been placed into this resolution financial
penalties associated with violation of that prohibition.
We have had a lot of talk about American cars and an event that would
highlight the automobile in our history, and the great invention and
pursuits of American manufacturing. The first question is, Will there
be foreign cars highlighted, and will they be a part of this display?
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. TRAFICANT. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that only U.S.
manufactured vehicles and U.S. manufactured parts will be a part of
this display.
Mr. TRAFICANT. There is in here, then, penalties associated with
violation of any of these promotional concerns that we have. For the
sake of this debate, who would be responsible for enforcement of those
penalties?
Mr. GILCHREST. The whole arrangement is going to be cleared through
the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol police. The Capitol police
will be responsible for enforcing any of the violations.
Mr. TRAFICANT. Will there be any association with foreign sponsors at
this event?
Mr. GILCHREST. It is my clear understanding that there will be no
association with foreign sponsors. These are all U.S. sponsored, U.S.
manufactured products.
Mr. TRAFICANT. Let me say this. I think there is a lot of concern
because of the fact that we are using the grounds, and we are using
Capitol Grounds, as evidenced by the fact we need a resolution. We use
Capitol Grounds for many other things.
I am not opposed to this. I believe that we should highlight the
achievements and the great, in fact, pursuits of the American
automobile industry, from the invention and the creation to the mass
production.
I am very concerned, though, and I want to state this before the
Congress, on a resolution of this kind which is noncontroversial, that
right now many of our trucks carrying American-made manufactured brands
are made overseas. The beautiful Regal, Buick Regal, is made in Canada.
So I want to make sure this is an event for America.
I certainly will not oppose it. I will vote for it. I want to thank
the chairman for including the concerns that both the gentleman from
Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar] and I had on this when it was previously
discussed.
I would like to say this, though, that in the future when we talk
about penalties for violation of certain behaviors involved with issues
such as this that seem noncontroversial, not to be big mind benders, we
should at least have a study reported back to us if in fact the design
and intent of these particular programs was as they were first
recommended and presented to us.
With that, I would yield to the chairman for any comment relative to
that last issue.
Mr. GILCHREST. I will assure the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant]
that we will continue to work with his side of the aisle in any future
resolution that deals with a similar matter, that we will assure that
all of his concerns will continue to be shared, that there will be
precise and concise penalties on those who violate it, that this will
be sponsoring U.S. manufacturers and not foreign manufacturers of
automobiles, and that we will ensure that no photographs taken during
this event can be used for commercializing purposes or for endorsement
purposes. If they are, they will feel the full force of the law.
Mr. TRAFICANT. Would it be reasonable, then, to spread across the
Record at least the following concern, that the Architect of the
Capitol should report back to our subcommittee on in fact the questions
that I have posed here relative to any possible foreign participation
that is not the intent of this particular resolution?
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant]
has an excellent idea and we will follow it up. We will, sometime
following the event, assure him that there will be a hearing on that
issue.
Mr. TRAFICANT. In closing, let me say this. The gentleman from
Pennsylvania [Mr. Walker] is a friend of mine. He has had a number of
Corvettes over the years, and I am sure that that car made in Kentucky,
made out of American parts, will be highly featured.
With that, I will not pose any further opposition and would vote for
the resolution.
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Michigan [Mr. Chrysler].
{time} 1500
Mr. CHRYSLER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the resolution to
allow the use of the Capitol Grounds for a specialty motor vehicle and
equipment event. As a former race car driver, auto manufacturer, union
member, and SEMA member, I have first-hand knowledge of the importance
of the auto industry to our economy. This event will demonstrate the
economic and employment benefits, as well as contributions to
engineering, safety, and entertainment provided by U.S. motorsports
industries.
The event will be held on May 16 on the Upper Senate Park and will
include a wide variety of race cars, motorcycles, and collector cars
spanning the evolution of the industry including vehicles from prewar
classics, street rods, and '60's muscle cars. Also on hand will be race
car drivers, car collectors, and U.S. performance and specialty
manufacturers from around the country. It will be a convenient way for
Members not familiar with the industry to gain greater insight into
motorsports and for car and motorcycle enthusiasts to join in the
celebration and perhaps display their own customized car or bike, as I
will.
It has been 100 years since the automobile was first introduced in
the United States. I urge your support of this exciting event
commemorating the importance of the motorsport industry to our economy
on this 100-year anniversary.
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman
from Colorado [Mrs. Schroeder].
Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me
time.
Mr. Speaker, I guess I am a little troubled by this, not because I am
against the auto industry for heaven's sakes. I think the auto industry
is terribly important, and I am a car lover as every other red-blooded
American is.
In the last year and a half we have seen the Capitol Grounds used for
all sorts of things. We had elephants here for the first time, a circus
came through, a couple weeks ago there was
[[Page H4446]]
a rock concert going on on the front lawn, and for people whose windows
face that way it was really quite noisy.
I understand people were saying, well, we will not be able to see
this show from the Capitol, but you will be able to see the Capitol
from the show, is the way I understand it. And I guess I am saying, are
there any criteria? Are we just going to wait and be surprised day
after day by new ideas that come up on the other side of the aisle for
what we should use the Capitol as a showcase for? What about assault
weapons? Can we have assault weapon or gun shows around here? Can we
have dog and cat shows or horse shows?
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, will the gentlewoman yield?
Mrs. SCHROEDER. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I would like to tell the gentlewoman, I
think there are a lot of people that share her concerns about
commercializing the Capitol Grounds and trivializing the Capitol
Grounds. This is the Nations's Capitol, which has a great and grand
history of legislating for the Nation's good. So I will tell the
gentlewoman that in the future, as these things usually come through
the subcommittee of which I am chairman, that we will ensure that
Members on both sides of the aisle receive this kind of information and
notice well in advance.
Now, there was information about this for the past several months. I
realize we are all very busy with a variety of things and do not pick
up on all of the activities that are occurring, but certainly I will
assure both sides of the aisle that whenever events like this are
coming up, I will do my level best, and I know the gentleman from
Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar] and the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant]
will help with this, as well as other members of the committee, to make
sure the body as a whole realizes these things are coming up and they
can be prepared for them.
Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I guess my point is
I think we need some criteria. I think before we keep doing this in an
ad hoc manner, in which we kind of walk into the cloakroom and hear,
wow, elephants are coming, the circus is coming, we are going to have a
car lot, do this or that, or have a rock show, I would hope there would
be some general criteria, rather than in an ad hoc way, as to what we
can and cannot use the Capitol Grounds for.
Otherwise maybe we should rent it out, maybe privatization; they
should pay us and we get the money back and we use it for something to
maintain the Capitol. I do not know. I must say it is not the car show
per se, but it is just the idea that there is more of ad hoc casual way
that they are coming one on one, and there does not seem to be any
criteria or any overall agenda that they fit through.
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, if the gentlewoman will continue to
yield, what a number of us have been talking about over the past week
is the issue of raising a specific criteria, there ought to be some
type of specific or some flexible specific criteria that people can
agree on for the type of activities that will go on on the Capitol
Grounds.
Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, would the gentleman be bringing that out
of the committee shortly?
Mr. GILCHREST. It is in the early stages of discussion. We have not
had any hearings on it. I think it would be a good idea, whether or not
we have hearings on it, at which time, if we did have hearings, we
could certainly bring in Members to give their perspective on it.
Mrs. SCHROEDER. I thank the gentleman. I really think that would
help.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, following up the discussion with the ranking member of
the subcommittee, the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant], discussing
the matter of foreign cars, which we have been assured there are not
going to be foreign automobiles, the provision of the resolution deals
with this issue, section 6, do I understand the chairman's response to
mean that in entering into an agreement authorizing the event, that the
Architect will include provisions to assure that no foreign
manufactured cars will be included in the display?
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will yield, it is my
understanding that since the Architect of the Capitol issues the
permit, we would communicate to him that no foreign manufactured
vehicle can be on display.
Mr. OBERSTAR. That will be part of the agreement that will be entered
into by the Architect with those displaying vehicles?
Mr. GILCHREST. Yes. To the power that I have and the gentleman has,
we will directly communicate that with the Architect of the Capitol. I
would say to the gentleman from Minnesota [Mr. Oberstar], he and I
wield considerable power around here.
Mr. OBERSTAR. The gentleman does; the chairman does.
Mr. HEFNER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
Mr. OBERSTAR. I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina.
Mr. HEFNER. Mr. Speaker, I do not know a lot about this bill we are
considering, but in my part of the country, stock car racing is very,
very big business, and to my knowledge, there is no foreign
participation, to my knowledge, in stock car racing, either in NASCAR
or Busch Grand National as we know it today.
Is what we are doing today just setting aside a facility or grounds
for the NASCAR people and the Grand National people to come in and
display? This is not going to be highlighting individuals, or either
Ford or Chrysler or GM, this is not going to be highlighting products,
this is just going to be showcasing NASCAR as we understand it in this
country? Is that what this bill does?
Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will yield further, that
is correct. It showcases the American automobile over the last 100
years, showcases racing. The gentleman is correct when he says there
are no foreign manufactured products in NASCAR racing.
The display goes from 12 noon to 3 p.m. It is not a real long period
of time. It is a very short period of time to display the history of
racing in the United States.
Mr. HEFNER. Whatever cost is incurred for this or damage they would
to the grounds, who picks up the cost?
Mr. GILCHREST. It is completely picked up by the association, not by
the U.S. Congress and not by the taxpayers.
Mr. HEFNER. I thank the gentleman.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, reclaiming my time, I would say that the
assurances given by the scholarly gentleman from Maryland [Mr.
Gilchrest] are satisfactory to our side and to those who have raised
concerns in the course of the debate this afternoon, and I would most
certainly hope that we will not have a request for a recorded vote. I
think this should pass on voice vote.
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 150, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as
amended, was agreed to.
The title of the concurrent resolution was amended so as to read:
``Concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for
an event displaying racing, restored, and customized motor vehicles and
transporters.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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