[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 20, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H3280-H3281]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur 
in the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 41) authorizing the 
use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Book Festival.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 41

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

     SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR 
                   NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL.

       (a) In General.--The Library of Congress (in this 
     resolution referred to as the `sponsor'), in cooperation with 
     the First Lady, may sponsor the National Book Festival (in 
     this resolution referred to as the `event') on the Capitol 
     Grounds.
       (b) Date of Event.--The event shall be held on September 8, 
     2001, or on such other date as the Senate Committee on Rules 
     and Administration and the Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives jointly designate.

     SEC. 2. TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

       (a) In General.--Under conditions to be prescribed by the 
     Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board, the 
     event authorized under section 1 shall be--
       (1) free of admission charge and open to the public; and
       (2) arranged not to interfere with the needs of Congress.
       (b) Expenses and Liabilities.--The sponsor shall assume 
     full responsibility for all expenses and liabilities incident 
     to all activities associated with the event.

     SEC. 3. EVENT PREPARATIONS.

       (a) Structures and Equipment.--Subject to the approval of 
     the Architect of the Capitol, the sponsor may cause to be 
     placed on the Capitol Grounds such stage, seating, booths, 
     sound amplification and video devices, and other related 
     structures and equipment as may be required for the event, 
     including equipment for the broadcast of the event over 
     radio, television, and other media outlets.
       (b) Additional Arrangements.--The Architect of the Capitol 
     and the Capitol Police Board may make any additional 
     arrangements as may be required to carry out the event.

     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, advertisements, and solicitations on the Capitol 
     Grounds, as well as other restrictions applicable to the 
     Capitol Grounds in connection with the event.

  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. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that we are here today to consider this 
important resolution. Earlier in the House, House Concurrent Resolution 
134 was also introduced, which contained similar language to authorize 
the same event. However, I want to acknowledge that we are considering 
the Senate version today in the interests of time so that the Library 
of Congress and the First Lady can begin firming up any remaining 
details of the event.
  Senate Concurrent Resolution 41 authorizes the use of the Capitol 
Grounds for a National Book Festival to be held on September 8, 2001, 
or on such date as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 
Senate Committee on Rules and Administration jointly designate.
  The resolution authorizes the Library of Congress, the sponsor of the 
event, to negotiate the necessary arrangements for carrying out the 
event, in complete compliance with the rules and regulations governing 
the use of the Capitol Grounds. The event is open to the public and 
free of charge, and the sponsor will assume full responsibility for all 
expenses and liabilities related to the event. In addition, sales, 
advertisements and solicitations are explicitly prohibited on the 
Capitol Grounds for this event.
  The National Book Festival is a 2-day event that will educate 
promoting the use of libraries and encouraging the joys of reading. On 
September 7, Friday afternoon, the First Lady will launch the first-
ever National Book Festival by connecting with children all across 
America through satellite hookups, web casting, and/or television. This 
will be hosted from the Main Reading Room at the Library of Congress 
for a captivating afternoon reading program.
  On September 8, Saturday, the reading celebration continues at the 
Thomas Jefferson Building and on the Grounds of the United States 
Capitol. There will be readings by a wide variety of authors, in 
addition to artists performing American story telling through music, 
from folk to jazz and blues.
  Much of the weekend's festivities are modeled after the First Lady's 
successfully founded book festival in Texas. The President and the 
First Lady have been strong advocates of education, especially reading.
  I would encourage any of our colleagues who are in town that weekend 
to attend this event with their young family members, in addition to 
having Members encourage their constituents who are either visiting 
Washington or schools in the home district to participate in this 
important event.
  I support the resolution, and urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I join the gentleman from Ohio (Chairman LaTourette) in 
support of S. Con. Res. 41, to authorize use of the Capitol Grounds on 
September 8 for a National Book Festival.
  The event, jointly hosted by the Library of Congress and First Lady 
Laura Bush, is intended to promote the Nation's libraries and celebrate 
the joys of reading. The event begins on Friday, September 7, at the 
Library of Congress. Through a satellite hookup, children across the 
country will have a front row seat in the Library's Main Reading Room 
to enjoy an interactive reading program. On Saturday, September 8, on 
the Capitol Grounds, the event will host special activities promoting 
reading, which include book signings and book readings. The celebration 
will culminate with a series of performances by well-known artists and 
authors.
  As with all events on the Capitol Grounds, the National Book Festival 
is open to the public and is free of charge and has the support of the 
Joint Committee on the Library. The sponsors of this event will 
coordinate with the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police.
  The Book Festival is a very worthwhile endeavor, and I join the 
gentleman from Ohio (Chairman LaTourette) in supporting the Senate 
concurrent resolution.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I join Subcommittee Chairman LaTourette, 
Subcommittee Ranking Member Costello, and

[[Page H3281]]

Chairman Young, in support of this resolution that authorizes use of 
the Capitol Grounds on Saturday, September 8, for activities associated 
with the National Book Festival. This is a two-day event hosted jointly 
by the Library of Congress and First Lady Laura Bush.
  On Friday, September 7, children in classrooms and libraries across 
the country will enjoy an interactive reading session with the First 
Lady at the Library of Congress through satellite communication. On 
Friday evening, Members of Congress, recognized authors, publishers, 
and community leaders will gather in the Library's Thomas Jefferson 
Building for a performance by leading authors and actors bringing to 
life memorable American stories.
  On Saturday, September 8, on the Capitol Grounds, distinguished 
authors and actors and national celebrities will treat the public to 
special readings and book signings. Performances by well-known artists, 
drawing on the Library's collection of American music, will close the 
event.
  I support the resolution and urge my colleagues to join me in support 
of the book festival.
  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of S. 
Con. Res. 41, and support reading and literacy programs all over this 
great nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend the First Lady, Laura Bush and her initiative 
to get our country reading. Reading is fundamental to the development 
of the nation's young minds. There is no skill that can be attained 
like reading. Once you have learned to read, you will never stop.
  Mr. Speaker what better place for a festival of books and reading 
than on the Capitol grounds, the pinnacle of American freedom and what 
better person to lead the charge than the First Lady of the United 
States, Mrs. Laura Bush. As a former teacher, no one understands the 
importance of reading more than Mrs. Laura Bush.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to stand in support of Mrs. 
Bush and reading by voting for S. Con. Res. 41.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 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 concur in the Senate concurrent resolution, S. Con. Res. 41.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate concurrent resolution 
was concurred in.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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