[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 161 (Tuesday, November 27, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H8376-H8377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   AUTHORIZING THE 2002 WINTER OLYMPICS TORCH RELAY TO COME ONTO THE 
                            CAPITOL GROUNDS

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur 
in the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 82) authorizing the 
2002 Winter Olympics Torch Relay to come onto the Capitol grounds.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 82

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

     SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF THE RUNNING OF 2002 WINTER 
                   OLYMPICS TORCH RELAY ONTO THE CAPITOL GROUNDS.

       On December 21, 2001, or on such other date as the Speaker 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Rules 
     and Administration of the Senate may jointly designate, the 
     2002 Winter Olympics Torch Relay (in this resolution referred 
     to as the ``event'') may come onto the Capitol Grounds as 
     part of the ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games to be 
     held in Salt Lake City, Utah.

     SEC. 2. RESPONSIBILITY OF CAPITOL POLICE BOARD.

       The Capitol Police Board shall take such actions as may be 
     necessary to carry out the event.

     SEC. 3. CONDITIONS RELATING TO PHYSICAL PREPARATIONS.

       The Architect of the Capitol may prescribe conditions for 
     physical preparations for 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, 
     advertisements, displays, and solicitations on the Capitol 
     Grounds, as well as other restrictions applicable to the 
     Capitol Grounds, with respect to the event.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Matheson) 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, Senate Concurrent Resolution 82 authorizes the 2002 
Winter Olympics Torch Relay to come on the Capitol grounds as part of 
the ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympic games. The Torch Relay will 
cross the grounds on December 21, 2001, or on such date as the Speaker 
of the House of Representatives and the Senate Committee on Rules and 
Administration designate.
  The resolution also authorizes the Architect of the Capitol, the 
Capitol Police Board, and 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 sponsor of the event will assume all expenses and 
liabilities in connection with the event, and all sales, advertisements 
and solicitations are prohibited.
  The 2002 Winter Olympic Games will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, 
beginning on February 8 and concluding on February 24, 2002. 
Competition is scheduled for seven sports in 78 medal events at the 
games. An estimated 3,500 athletes and officials from 80 countries are 
expected to participate. In addition, 18,000 volunteers will help stage 
the games.
  It will be an honor to have the Winter Olympic Torch Relay pass 
through the Capitol Grounds on December 21 and for the United States to 
host the 19th Olympic Winter Games. I urge my colleagues to support 
this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MATHESON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Senator Bennett for introducing Senate 
Concurrent Resolution 82. This legislation authorizes the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the 2002 Winter Olympics Torch Relay. Consistent 
with other

[[Page H8377]]

resolutions authorizing use of the Capitol Grounds, the Torch Relay 
activities will be coordinated with the Capitol Police Board and the 
Architect of the Capitol.
  The 2002 Winter Olympics will take place in my hometown of Salt Lake 
City between February 8 and the 24th. There are few symbols as powerful 
as the Olympic Games that promote unity, peace and healing. The Torch 
Relay is what unites Salt Lake City with the rest of the country to 
showcase the Olympic values of courage, sacrifice, persistence and 
humanity.
  Roughly 3,500 athletes from 80 countries are expected to participate 
in over 25 events at the 19th Winter Olympic Games. The Olympic Torch, 
which will come to the Capitol steps on December 21 for a ceremonial 
moment, will be carried by one of the over 10,000 volunteers who will 
carry the torch in over 80 metropolitan areas, finishing at the opening 
ceremonies in Salt Lake City.
  I am pleased to support this resolution and urge its adoption.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume simply to congratulate the gentleman from Utah and all the 
people of Salt Lake City, Utah, for the opportunity to host the 19th 
Winter Olympic Games.
  I had the opportunity a couple of years ago to be in Salt Lake City 
and saw the preparations under way, the light rail system being 
constructed with the assistance of the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure here in the United States Congress, and it promises to 
be quite an event. I urge all of my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  Mr. 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 concur in the Senate concurrent resolution, S. Con. Res. 82.
  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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