[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 30, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H1711-H1712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 348) authorizing the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the National Book Festival.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 348

       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     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 
     21, 2002, or on such other date as the Speaker of the House 
     of Representatives and the Committee on Rules and 
     Administration of the Senate 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 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 gentlewoman from 
West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) and the gentlewoman from the District of 
Columbia (Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. 
Capito).
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 348 authorizes the use of 
the Capitol Grounds for the Library of Congress's National Book 
Festival, to be held on September 21, 2002. The National Book Festival 
is a two-day event that will educate children, promote the use of 
libraries, and encourage the joys of reading.
  On Saturday, September 21, First Lady Laura Bush will launch the 
Second Annual National Book Festival by

[[Page H1712]]

connecting with children all across America through live satellite 
feeds and Web casting of the event. This will be hosted from the main 
reading room of the Library of Congress for a captivating afternoon 
reading program. The reading celebration continues at the Thomas 
Jefferson Building and on the grounds of the United States Capitol.
  Much of the weekend's festivities are modeled after a similar book 
festival that the First Lady launched in Texas. A variety of noted 
authors and national celebrities will participate, offering readings 
throughout the afternoon. In addition, folk, jazz, and blues artists 
will chronicle American storytelling through music.
  The President and First Lady have been strong advocates of education 
and reading, since it serves as the foundation from which we all learn 
and grow. I encourage any Members in town that weekend to attend this 
event with their young family members, in addition to encouraging their 
constituents to participate in this event, either those that live here 
in Washington or via the Internet.
  I support the resolution, and strongly urge my colleagues to join in 
support.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I join the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) 
in support of House Concurrent Resolution 348, to authorize using the 
Capitol Grounds on September 21 for the 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 book festival, held in September of 2001, was 
a huge success, drawing approximately 30,000 people to Capitol Hill to 
enjoy public readings and listen to poetry and music.
  The book signings by the festival's invited authors proved to be so 
popular that the authors had to be moved out of doors to deal with the 
long lines of loyal fans, leaving many of them to comment that they 
felt like rock stars.
  The book festival 2002 is also expected to be as successful, with 
prominent authors, music, and other activities throughout the day. As 
with all events on the Capitol grounds, it 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.
  Mr. Speaker, cities all over the United States, localities of every 
kind, are choosing books for the entire locality to read to once again 
promote the joy of reading in our society.
  I can think of no more worthwhile on-site activity for this Congress 
to authorize than promoting the reading of books and the joy of reading 
itself for adults and children alike.
  The book festival is a very worthwhile endeavor, and I urge my 
colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, House Concurrent 
Resolution 348.
  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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