[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 84 (Monday, June 10, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H6045-H6047]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 153) authorizing the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 153

       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 
     13, 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.

     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 SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Maryland [Mr. Gilchrest] and the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. 
Mascara] 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 153 would authorize the use 
of the Capitol Grounds for the annual running of the Greater Washington 
Soap Box Derby. This event is scheduled for July 13, and again will be 
held on Constitution Avenue. This resolution provides for the Architect 
of the Capitol, the Capitol Police Board, and the Greater Washington 
Soap Box Derby Association to negotiate the necessary arrangements in 
compliance with rules and regulations governing the use of the Capitol 
Grounds. The event will be open to the public and be free of charge.
  This year marks the 55th year of the running of the Greater 
Washington Soap Box Derby. Participants range in age from 9 to 16. 
Winners from this event will compete in the national event to be held 
in Akron, OH, later this summer.
  Participants must design and build their race cars, providing young 
people with an opportunity to gain valuable skills in aerodynamics and 
engineering. The event promotes teamwork, a sense of accomplishment, 
sportsmanship, and provides an opportunity for parents and children to 
work together for a special challenge.
  I am pleased that our colleagues from Virginia Mr. Wolf, Mr. Davis, 
and Mr. Moran, cosponsored this resolution, along with Members from 
Maryland, Mr. Hoyer, Mr. Wynn, and Mrs. Morella, and the gentlelady 
from the District, Ms. Norton. I note that my colleague, Mr. Hoyer, has 
been a long time supporter of this annual event.
  I support this resolution and urge my colleagues to support the 
measure.

                              {time}  1430

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MASCARA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, on July 13, 1996 the 55th running of the Greater 
Washington Soap Box Derby is scheduled to take place in Washington, DC, 
along Constitution Avenue. This year's event is expected to draw over 
50 participants from the surrounding communities of

[[Page H6046]]

northern Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland, making the 
Washington race one of the largest in the country. Mr. Hoyer deserves 
credit and our support for his continued efforts in behalf of this all 
volunteer event.
  The race is funded through private donations, is staffed completely 
with community volunteers and is open to the public and all families to 
enjoy. Use of our beautiful Capitol Grounds has made this event a very 
popular local event and, in fact, in 1992 Washington, DC, was named one 
of the outstanding race cities.
  Youngsters ages 9 through 16 build and race their own cars. They 
learn the principles of aerodynamics through construction, practice, 
and competition. In previous years, resolutions regarding this event 
have always enjoyed broad bipartisan support. I thank Mr. Hoyer again 
for his continued interest and efforts in this event, and urge support 
for House Concurrent Resolution 153.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Maryland [Mr. Hoyer].
  Mr. HOYER. I thank my friend from Pennsylvania for yielding time.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to first say to my very close friend and 
colleague from Maryland, Mr. Gilchrest, who chairs the subcommittee 
that is reporting these bills to the floor, I want to thank him for his 
efforts not only this year but in the past to shepherd this bill to the 
floor so that it could be passed in a timely way, so that the 
negotiations necessary to effect a successful running of the Soap Box 
Derby could be accomplished. I also want to thank my friend from 
Minnesota to whom I refer as the chairman in exile, the ranking member 
of the full committee, Mr. Oberstar.
  Mr. Speaker, my comments would have echoed that which the gentleman 
from Maryland [Mr. Gilchrest] and the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. 
Mascara] have already said. This is to be the 55th running of the Soap 
Box Derby.
  For those of us who have lived in the Washington metropolitan area 
for a long period of time, we know that for a period of time this was 
run on the hill on Pennsylvania Avenue just after you get to Branch 
Avenue if you are going out of town, before it if you are coming into 
town. It came a time when that was no longer feasible and appropriate, 
and in fact where they were not getting the attendance that was 
necessary to make this a successful event.
  It is, I think, very appropriate that we authorize the use of 
Constitution Avenue under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Capitol for this 
purpose. Is there anything more American than the Soap Box Derby? Young 
people being asked to use their own talents, their own initiative, 
their own inventiveness in coming to grips with a problem. That is, how 
to get a vehicle that is not powered by a motor down a hill faster than 
another vehicle.
  As has been stated, these young people learn a lot about 
aerodynamics, about engineering, and about things that will prove very 
valuable to them in the future. But more importantly, they learn the 
traits of self-reliance and competition as well as teamwork, as the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Mascara] and the gentleman from 
Maryland [Mr. Gilchrest] I think both referred to, because they work 
with others in constructing these cars and in racing these cars.
  It is also a celebration, I suggest to my colleagues, in most 
instances of family, because although these cars are built by the 
youngsters themselves, I would be surprised if they did not ask dad or 
even mom for some advice and counsel in the construction of these cars.
  The bottom line is, I think it is very appropriate that we have this 
race on Capitol Hill, this race that, as the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania [Mr. Mascara] has pointed out, is now one of the most 
successful in the United States. We will have some 55 cars in this 
region participating, which is a lot more people, of course, than that 
participating. And so I am very pleased to rise in support of this 
resolution.
  I want to also thank in particular, and there are a number of them 
and I hesitate to cite one, but I will do so because it was Barry 
Scher. Barry Scher does governmental relations for Giant Food. Giant 
Food is one of the great corporations in America and one of the great 
corporations in the Washington metropolitan area. Giant Food 
unfortunately and tragically just lost its leader, Izzy Cohen. Izzy 
Cohen was a close and dear friend of mine, a man of unusual sensitivity 
to the community. Giant was not only a successful business enterprise, 
it was and is a successful community citizen, a full participant in the 
welfare and life of the Washington metropolitan community.
  And it was Barry Scher, Wayne, who many years ago said, ``You know, 
we're sponsoring this and we've all talked and we think the best place 
in Washington to run this race would be on Capitol Hill. Do you think 
we can get approval to do that?'' I said, ``I can't see why we would 
not.''
  I then went to the Speaker, who at that point in time was Tom Foley, 
and said, ``Mr. Speaker, what do you think about this?'' And he said, 
``I think this is an excellent idea.'' I think it may have been Jim 
Howard, but am I correct, Jim? In 1989? I am not? Glenn Anderson. I 
went to Glenn Anderson from California and talked to him about it. He 
said, ``Sure, this sounds like a good idea.'' Of course it is sort of 
like saying do you like apple pie. Who is going to say no?
  But the fact of the matter is, ever since we have been passing this 
resolution, which I think first started in 1990 or 1991, in effecting 
this race here, it is one of the most successful because this is a 
terrific setting. It excites the participants, and it is what America 
ought to be all about.
  The tragedy is, very frankly, that on the evening news the day after 
the race there will not be, perhaps on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, C-SPAN, 
whatever, the victors of that race. It will be some other young people 
who have not performed and not done the things that we would want, some 
perhaps more dysfunctional behavior.
  It is unfortunate that we focus, Mr. Speaker, on the dysfunctional, 
our television does that to a fault, rather than the positive 
contributions that millions of young people are making in America. Many 
of us have been to college or high school graduations. As a matter of 
fact, my colleague Al Wynn spoke at an elementary school graduation 
this morning.
  The fact of the matter is, this Soap Box Derby is participated in by 
young people who are a credit to themselves, to their families, their 
communities, and to our country.
  Again, I thank the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Gilchrest], the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Mascara], and the members of the 
committee for bringing this resolution to the floor and seeking its 
earliest possible passage.
  I want to thank Chairman Gilchrest, the ranking member Mr. Traficant, 
the Transportation Committee, and Mr. Mascara for their continued 
support of this bill which authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds 
for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.
  For the last 5 years, I have sponsored this resolution along with 
regional Members and sports fans.
  The resolution authorizes the Architect of the Capitol, the Capitol 
Police Board, and the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association to 
negotiate the necessary arrangements for carrying out the running of 
the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby in complete compliance with rules 
and regulations governing the use of Capitol Grounds.
  This year marks the 55th running of the Greater Washington Soap Box 
Derby, and the race is slated for July 13, 1996. Participants ranging 
from ages 9 to 16 are expected to compete in the early summer race. 
They come from communities in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and 
Virginia.
  The winners of this local event will represent the Washington 
metropolitan 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. These are positive 
attributes which participants carry into adulthood.
  The young people involved spend many months preparing for this race. 
The day they actually compete provides them with a sense of achievement 
and comradery, not only for themselves but also for their families and 
friends. In addition, this worthwhile event provides the participants, 
tourists, and local residents with a safe and enjoyable day of 
activities.
  I again want to thank the committee for bringing the bill to the 
floor and I urge my colleagues to support it.

[[Page H6047]]

  Mr. MASCARA. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Minnesota [Mr.  Oberstar], the ranking member of the 
full committee.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to again compliment the 
chairman of the subcommittee, Mr. Gilchrest, for his leadership in 
bringing forth this legislation and for his sensitivity to its 
significance for young people of the greater Washington area and for 
young people everywhere. I think this clearly is a worthwhile family 
event and someday we will probably call this the Steny Hoyer Soap Box 
Derby Race for Mr. Hoyer's leadership and advocacy of this legislation 
time and again.
  I noted with great interest the gentleman's reference to the soap box 
derby being a family event. As a parent one time of a young aspiring 
scout when they made these matchbox cars and raced them, I sure hope 
that the children are doing more of the work in the soap box than the 
parents are.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. OBERSTAR. I yield to the gentleman from Maryland.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I have three daughters, they are now all 
adults, but the gentleman brings to mind all of the science projects 
that they did that unfortunately their mother and I spent so much time 
at assisting them with. But we had a lot of fun and we learned a lot.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Think of all the energy wasted on the learning curve by 
the parents. But the children certainly learned a great deal.
  At a time when our full committee is at a point of bringing to the 
House floor a bill in a week or so that will restrict the ability of 
young people to fly an airplane to avoid another tragedy as occurred in 
the case of the young girl whose airplane crashed, and she was not at 
the controls, the instructor was the pilot in control and in command of 
the aircraft, but we are going to be dealing with legislation to 
prevent that kind of tragedy, I note that this legislation makes it 
possible for young people of that age group to pilot something that 
they could appropriately handle and that they should handle and to open 
wider the doors of opportunity for youngsters 9 through 14 to race 
their homemade soap box cars.
  I may be the only one in this room that can still remember what a 
soap box really is. Where I grew up in northern Minnesota, boxes of 
wood were shipped around the country that contained soap and we did in 
fact make cars out of these old soap boxes. They were quite sturdy 
pieces of wood to put a set of wheels on them and set one of the 
younger kids on it and push them along the street. Nothing quite so 
fancy, I am sure, as is going to be entered in the races here but it 
does bring back for me some nostalgia.
  Mr. HOYER. If the gentleman will yield further, we are, however, 
going to strain the credibility of the public if they are to believe 
that we think soap boxes are for racing as opposed to giving speeches.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. On that point, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania 
for yielding me the time, I compliment the gentleman from Maryland, and 
our dear colleague, Mr. Hoyer, and urge the enactment of House 
Concurrent Resolution 153.
  Mr. MASCARA. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I think the statements by the gentleman from Minnesota 
[Mr. Oberstar], the gentleman from Pennsylvania [Mr. Mascara], and the 
gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Hoyer] certainly have hit the mark about 
this particular tradition. We want it to continue. I want to thank the 
gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Hoyer] for his sense of urgency to make 
sure that this resolution passed the House today. This is really a 
family-community affair where people can work together, and I think it 
will set a pretty good example as we do this every year to not only 
help build soap-box-derby-type vehicles with your children but also 
help to hang out the clothes and do the dishes and paint the barn or 
sweep the sidewalk, all those things that people can do collectively 
together, to make families stronger.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge that we pass this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Coble). 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 153.
  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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