[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 10, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           THE SOAP BOX DERBY

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                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 10, 1999

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, for the last eight years, I have sponsored a 
resolution for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby to hold its race 
along Constitution Avenue. Yesterday, I proudly introduced H. Con. Res. 
47 to permit the 58th running of the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby, 
which is to take place on the Capitol Grounds on July 10, 1999. This 
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 running of the 
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby in complete compliance with rules and 
regulations governing the use of the Capitol Grounds.
  In the past, the full House has supported this resolution once 
reported favorably by the full Transportation Committee. I ask for my 
colleagues to join with me, and Representatives Albert Wynn, Connie 
Morella, and Jim Moran in supporting this resolution.
  From 1992 to 1998, the Greater Washington Soap Box derby welcomed 
over 40 contestants which made the Washington, DC race one of the 
largest in the country. Participants range from ages 9 to 16 and hail 
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 
on July 31, 1999.
  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 that we should encourage children to carry into adulthood. 
The young people involved spend months preparing for this race, and the 
day that they complete it makes it all the more worthwhile.

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