[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 70 (Monday, May 21, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H2343-H2344]
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 KENNEDY CENTER

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 76) authorizing the use of 
the East Front of the Capitol Grounds for performances sponsored by the 
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

[[Page H2344]]

  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 76

       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. EVENT 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 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, 
     advertisements, 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, 2001.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 76 was introduced by the 
chairman of our full committee, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), 
and cosponsored by the ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota 
(Mr. Oberstar). The resolution 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. Performances will take place on 
Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning June 5 through August 31. 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 any solicitation in connection with the event.
  This unique event allows the Kennedy Center to provide leadership in 
the national performing arts education policy and programs and to 
conduct community outreach as provided in its mission statement. By 
permitting these performances on the east front, the Congress is 
assisting the Kennedy Center in fulfilling its mission. I support this 
resolution and urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 76, a resolution to 
authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for a series of summer 
concerts sponsored by the John F. Kennedy Center. Last summer, 
approximately 5,000 people attended and were entertained by the Capitol 
Hill Millennium stage performances. Musicians, dancers, pianists, and 
storytellers performed here on Capitol Hill. Members of Congress, their 
staffs, employees, tourists, and neighbors were treated to a wonderful, 
free concert during their lunch hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 
Memorial Day to Labor Day.
  As with all events on the Capitol Grounds, these concerts are free 
and open to the public. The Kennedy Center works with the Architect of 
the Capitol to ensure that all rules and regulations are enforced.
  Madam Speaker, I support this resolution and thank the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), and 
the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) for bringing this matter to the 
floor in an expeditious manner.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, 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. 76.
  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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