[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 30, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H1713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H1713]]
  AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR GREATER WASHINGTON SOAP BOX 
                                 DERBY

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 356) authorizing the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 356

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

     SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF SOAP BOX DERBY RACES ON CAPITOL 
                   GROUNDS.

       The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association (in this 
     resolution referred to as the ``Association'') shall be 
     permitted to sponsor a public event, soap box derby races, on 
     the Capitol Grounds on June 22, 2002, 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.

     SEC. 2. CONDITIONS.

       The event to be carried out under this resolution 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; except that the Association shall assume full 
     responsibility for all expenses and liabilities incident to 
     all activities associated with the event.

     SEC. 3. STRUCTURES AND EQUIPMENT.

       For the purposes of this resolution, the Association is 
     authorized to erect upon the Capitol Grounds, subject to the 
     approval of the Architect of the Capitol, such stage, sound 
     amplification devices, and other related structures and 
     equipment as may be required for the event to be carried out 
     under this resolution.

     SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS.

       The Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board 
     are authorized to make any such additional arrangements that 
     may be required to carry out the event under this resolution.

     SEC. 5. 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 to be carried out 
     under this resolution.

  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 356 authorizes the use of 
the Capitol grounds for the greater Washington Soap Box Derby 
qualifying races to be held on June 22, 2002.
  The event is open to the public and free of charge and the sponsor 
assumes responsibility for all expenses and liabilities related to the 
event.
  The races are to take place on Constitution Avenue between Delaware 
Avenue and Third Street Northwest. The participants competing in the 
events are residents of the Washington metropolitan area and range in 
ages from 9 to 16. Participants will compete in three open divisions 
based on their experience in building their vehicles. This event is 
currently one of the oldest of its kind in the country, having taken 
place for over 55 years. The winner will go on to represent the 
Washington metropolitan area at the national finals to be held in 
Akron, Ohio, later in the summer.
  Participants in these events learn the value of hard work, dedication 
and attention to detail, since any loose parts or screws may affect 
their time in the event.
  I support the resolution and urge my colleagues to do the same.
  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 am delighted to join the sponsor in supporting H. Con. 
Res. 356 and acknowledging the efforts of the gentleman from Maryland 
(Mr. Hoyer), who has been such a great champion for his constituents 
for this event.
  As usual, this event has bipartisan support with co-sponsors 
including the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella), the gentleman 
from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran), 
the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn), and myself.
  H. Con. Res. 356 authorizes use of the Capitol grounds for the 
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. Youngsters ages 9 through 16 
construct and operate their own soap box vehicles. On June 22, 2002, 
these youngsters of the greater Washington area race down Constitution 
Avenue to test the principles of aerodynamics in hand-designed and -
constructed soap box vehicles.
  Many hundreds of volunteers donate considerable time supporting the 
events and providing families with a fun-filled day. The event has 
grown in popularity and Washington is now known as one of the 
outstanding race cities. In keeping with standard procedures, the event 
is conducted under conditions prescribed by the Architect of the 
Capitol and the Police Board. It is free and open to the public.
  Mr. Speaker, I support H. Con. Res. 356 and thank the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) for his work in originating this resolution.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, for the past ten years, I have sponsored a 
resolution for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby to hold its race 
along Constitution Avenue.
  Once again, I am proud to have sponsored H. Con. Res. 356 to permit 
the 65th race of the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. It is scheduled 
to take place on the Capitol grounds on Saturday, June 22, 2002.
  This resolution authorizes the Architect of the Capitol, the Capitol 
Police Board, and the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association to 
negotiate the necessary arrangements for conducting the race in 
complete compliance with the rules and regulations governing the use of 
the Capitol grounds.
  I request my colleagues to join with me, and other co-sponsors 
including representative Jim Moran, Connie Morella, Eleanor Holmes 
Norton, Frank Wolf, and Albert Wynn in supporting this resolution.
  The Soap Box Derby has been in the Washington, D.C., area since 1992. 
It has attracted over 50 contestants each year. The participants range 
from ages 9 to 16.
  The participants work very hard to prepare for the local Soap Box 
Derby. They are given an opportunity to learn basic skills of 
workmanship. They build their own race cars from a kit provided by the 
All-American Soap Box Derby Program. The participants are able to 
enhance their building skills to create a basic style car.
  Winners of three levels of the local race become eligible to compete 
in the National Soap Box Derby races held in Akron, Ohio. Prior to the 
National races, they attend a week of camp in ``Derbytown'' where they 
make lasting friendships while participating in a variety of sporting 
activities. The National races are held in August and give the 
participants a chance to win scholarships and merchandise prizes.
  Mr. Speaker, this even has been called ``The Greatest Amateur Racing 
Event in the World''. This is a wonderful opportunity for our children 
from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia to venture into 
the world of science, while experiencing the spirit of competition.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CAPITO. 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 
gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 356.
  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.

                          ____________________