[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 39 (Monday, April 3, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H1636-H1637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   AUTHORIZING USE OF EAST FRONT OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR PERFORMANCES 
      SPONSORED BY JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 281), authorizing the use of 
the East Front of the Capitol Grounds for performances sponsored by the 
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 281

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

     SECTION 1. AUTHORIZING USE OF EAST FRONT OF CAPITOL GROUNDS 
                   FOR PERFORMANCES SPONSORED BY KENNEDY CENTER.

       In carrying out its duties under section 4 of the John F. 
     Kennedy Center Act (20 U.S.C. 76j), the John F. Kennedy 
     Center for the Performing Arts, in cooperation with the 
     National Park Service (in this resolution jointly referred to 
     as the ``sponsor''), may sponsor public performances on the 
     East Front of the Capitol Grounds at such dates and times as 
     the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Committee on 
     Rules and Administration of the Senate may approve jointly.

     SEC. 2. TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

       (a) In General.--Any performance authorized under section 1 
     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.
       (b) Assumption of Liabilities.--The sponsor shall assume 
     full responsibility for all liabilities incident to all 
     activities associated with the performance.

     SEC. 3. PREPARATIONS.

       (a) Structures and Equipment.--In consultation with the 
     Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Rules and Administration of the Senate, the Architect of the 
     Capitol shall provide upon the Capitol Grounds such stage, 
     sound amplification devices, and other related structures

[[Page H1637]]

     and equipment as may be required for a performance authorized 
     under section 1.
       (b) Additional Arrangements.--The Architect of the Capitol 
     and the Capitol Police Board may make such additional 
     arrangements as may be required to carry out the performance.

     SEC. 4. ENFORCEMENT OF RESTRICTIONS.

       The Capitol Police Board shall provide for enforcement of 
     the restrictions contained in section 4 of the Act of July 
     31, 1946 (40 U.S.C. 193d; 60 Stat. 718), concerning sales, 
     displays, and solicitations on the Capitol Grounds, as well 
     as other restrictions applicable to the Capitol Grounds, with 
     respect to a performance authorized by section 1.

     SEC. 5. EXPIRATION OF AUTHORITY.

       A performance may not be conducted under this resolution 
     after September 30, 2000.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 281, introduced by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster), the chairman of the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and cosponsored by the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the ranking member of the 
committee, authorizes the use of the East Front of the Capitol for 
performances by the Millennium Stage of the John F. Kennedy Center for 
the Performing Arts. It is expected that performances will take place 
on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Memorial Day to September 30, 2000.
  The performances will be open to the public, free of admission 
charge, and the sponsors of the event, the Kennedy Center and the 
National Park Service, will assume responsibility for all liabilities 
associated with the event. The resolution expressly prohibits sales, 
displays, advertisements, and solicitation in connection with the 
event.
  Mr. Speaker, this unique event allows the Kennedy Center to provide 
leadership in the national performing arts education policy and 
programs and could conduct community outreach as provided for in its 
mission statement. By permitting these performances on the east front, 
the Congress is assisting the Kennedy Center in fulfilling this 
mission.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution, and I urge my colleagues to 
do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I join with the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) in 
supporting House Concurrent Resolution 281, which authorizes a series 
of summer concerts sponsored by the JFK Center to be conducted here on 
Capitol Hill. These concerts are held from Memorial Day throughout the 
summer and conclude around Labor Day. I must say they have enriched my 
tenure here on the Hill.
  On Tuesdays and Thursdays during the summer months, residents, many 
tourists and other visitors to Capitol Hill are treated to wonderful, 
free concerts, with entertainment provided by some of America's most 
enduring and endearing artists.
  As with all events on the Capitol grounds, these concerts are free, 
open to the entire public, and will be arranged in accordance with the 
rules and regulations of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol and 
the Capitol Hill police. We do owe a debt of gratitude to the Kennedy 
Center for its sponsorship of the summer program which includes all 
types of music, dance, and vocal performances.
  I thank the chairman for his expeditious handling of this resolution, 
and I urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 281.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 281, 
which authorizes a series of summer concerts, sponsored by the John F. 
Kennedy Center to be conducted here on Capitol Hill.
  Consistent with past summers, the concerts are held from Memorial Day 
throughout the summer, and conclude at the end of summer, around Labor 
Day. The musical performances feature the best of American talent, and 
provide hours of enjoyment for all listeners.
  The Kennedy Center is to be commended for its solid commitment to 
educating the American public to the joys of the performing arts. The 
Millennium stage at the Kennedy Center has been an enormous hit. Free 
concerts are arranged each day in the Great Hall, all you need to do is 
to show up and be treated to wonderful free performances.
  The summer concerts series is another sign of the Center's commitment 
to bring performing art to all Americans, consistent with President 
Kennedy's devotion to the arts.
  As with all events on Capitol grounds, these concerts are free, open 
to the entire public, and will be arranged in accordance with rules and 
regulations of the office of the Architect of the Capitol, and the 
Capitol Police.
  I look forward to this very enjoyable summertime entertainment and I 
urge my colleagues to support House Concurrent Resolution 281.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I urge the passage of the resolution, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 281.
  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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