[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 67 (Wednesday, May 7, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H3701-H3703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR GREATER WASHINGTON SOAP BOX 
                                 DERBY

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 53) authorizing the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 53

       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 21, 2003, 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.

[[Page H3702]]

     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 gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Davis) 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, House Concurrent Resolution 53 authorizes the use of the 
Capitol grounds on June 21, 2003, for the 62nd annual Greater 
Washington Soap Box Derby. This event is open to the public and free of 
charge. The sponsor of the event assumes all of the responsibilities 
and liabilities associated with the event. Additionally, the sponsors 
must comply with all applicable regulations relating to the use of the 
Capitol grounds.

                              {time}  1100

  Children participating in the event range in ages from 9 to 16 and 
compete in three open divisions depending on their level of experience. 
The races will occur on Constitution Avenue between Delaware Avenue and 
Third Street, Northwest.
  Winners of the event will go on to represent the Washington 
Metropolitan Area at the national finals to be held in Akron, Ohio, 
later in the summer, which are held every year.
  I support the resolution, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I am delighted to support, along with the gentleman from Maryland 
(Mr. Hoyer), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Moran), the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn), and the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen), House Concurrent Resolution 
53 and acknowledge the efforts of the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. 
Hoyer), who has been such a great champion for his constituents for 
this event.
  House Concurrent Resolution 53 authorizes the 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, 2003, youngsters from the greater Washington area will race down 
Constitution Avenue to test the principles of aerodynamics in hand-
designed and -constructed soap box vehicles.
  Mr. Speaker, many hundreds of volunteers donate considerable time 
supporting the event and providing families with a fun-filled day, 
which is greatly becoming a tradition in the Washington, D.C. area. The 
event has grown in popularity, and Washington is now known as one of 
the outstanding race cities in America.
  Consistent with all events using the Capitol grounds, this event is 
open to the public and is free of charge. The organizers will work with 
the Capitol Hill Police and the Office of the Architect.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of House Concurrent Resolution 53.
  Mr. Speaker, we are waiting for the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. 
Hoyer), who will be here very soon who will be speaking so, if I could, 
we would like to delay for just a moment until he gets here.
  Mr. Speaker, the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association, and 
this resolution refers to this association, shall be permitted to 
sponsor a public event, the Soap Box Derby Race on the Capitol grounds 
on June 22 of 2003, and on such other dates as the Speaker of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the 
Senate may jointly designate.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I am wondering if the gentleman from 
Tennessee has ever had the thrill of being present during the running 
of the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.
  Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I have never had that privilege, 
but I certainly look forward to attending the event this year. As a 
youngster growing up, living in the rural areas, living in the rural 
areas, I read about soap box derbies that have been such an inspiration 
to so many of our young people, and I hope to be able to attend this 
event.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will continue to yield, 
I was very fortunate during this last redistricting period to pick up 
places in Summit County, which is where the city of Akron, Ohio, is 
located, together with the gentlemen from Ohio (Mr. Ryan) and (Mr. 
Brown) from your side of the aisle, and we now represent the environs 
in and around the Akron area.
  Clearly, Akron, like a lot of the urban centers across America, has 
been through some tough times. It used to be known as the Rubber 
Capital of the World. We had Goodyear, Goodrich, and Firestone all 
located within the environs of Akron, Ohio. But one of the great prides 
and joys of our northeastern Ohio area is having the honor of having 
the national finals of the soap box derby occurring in Akron, Ohio. It 
is something that is widely attended. It is an experience where these 
youngsters who are 9 to 16 years of age learn not only the thrill of 
competing against their peers from all over the country, but they also 
have the opportunity to actually build the vehicles that they will race 
here in Washington and also in Akron, Ohio; and they learn 
craftsmanship as well as teamwork and a tremendous sense of 
accomplishment.
  So I really appreciate the gentleman coming to the floor today and 
managing the bill on behalf of the minority, and I hope all of our 
colleagues will support our legislation. I thank the gentleman for 
yielding.
  Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his 
remarks, and certainly I look forward to being at this event.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. 
Costello).
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  I just want to commend the chairman of the subcommittee, the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), for acting so quickly on this 
legislation. Let me say, Mr. Speaker, that I rise in strong support of 
H. Con. Res. 53, authorizing the use of the Capitol grounds for the 
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.
  This annual event encourages all boys and girls ages 9 through 16 to 
construct and operate their own soap box vehicles. The principles of 
aerodynamics are combined with fun and excitement for all participants 
and their families in the greater Washington area.
  Over the past few years, the Washington event has grown in size and 
has become one of the best-attended events in the country. In the past, 
the Washington event has produced winners who went on to national 
finals. As always, the derby organizers will work with the Architect of 
the Capitol and the Capitol Police to ensure the appropriate rules and 
regulations are in place.
  Mr. Speaker, I especially want to mention the diligence and 
dedication of the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), who is the 
sponsor of this year's resolution and sponsors the resolution every 
year. I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 53.
  Mr. Speaker, while I have the floor, I would also like to thank the 
chairman of the subcommittee, as well as the

[[Page H3703]]

ranking member and all of the members of the committee, for the 
legislation that was just acted on concerning the police officers. As a 
former police officer, I want my colleagues to know that I appreciate 
holding this annual event every year to recognize those who have given 
their dedication and those who have paid the ultimate price in living 
their lives in the service to their communities and to this country.
  So I thank the gentleman from Ohio for his leadership on both of 
these efforts, as well as the ranking member.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might 
consume.
  The last speaker, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello), served 
as the ranking member on this subcommittee during the last Congress; 
and although we are pleased to have the gentlewoman from the District 
of Columbia (Ms. Norton) as our new ranking member, the service that 
the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Costello) provided to the subcommittee 
was greatly appreciated by those of us on our side of the aisle; and we 
do miss his guidance and leadership on a number of these important 
resolutions. It is an honor to serve in the Congress with him.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield such time as he may consume 
to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan).
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Ohio for yielding 
me this time.
  I understand that we are trying to use some time while we wait for 
the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), and I will say that I have had 
the privilege a few years ago of attending the soap box derby in 
Knoxville; and I have seen firsthand the excitement and the interest 
and, really, the educational value that is given to many young people 
around the country through this nationwide program.
  I have been asked to give this statement on behalf of the gentleman 
from Alaska (Chairman Young), the chairman of the full committee, and 
myself. So I will say on behalf of Chairman Young and really speaking, 
I think, for the full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I 
rise today to offer my full support for House Concurrent Resolution 53, 
which authorizes the use of the Capitol grounds for the 62nd Annual 
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby to be held on June 21, 2003.
  This event, which is open to the public and free of charge, gives 
young people from around the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area an 
opportunity to not only showcase their talents of building a vehicle 
that will perform at high levels, but also the opportunity to realize 
the rewards of a job well done. 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 60 years. The winners of these events will go on 
to represent the Washington area at the national competition to be held 
in Akron, Ohio, later in the summer.
  I would like to thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) for 
introducing this resolution and all of my colleagues who have spoken 
previously and for their continued support for this very worthwhile 
program. I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting this worthy 
legislation.
  Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I thank all of my colleagues for 
the additional time.
  The gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) has been detained and will 
not be able to speak on the bill that he is sponsoring.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of our time 
to indicate I am glad we received that announcement because I had run 
out of soap box derby things to talk about.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bass). 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. 
53, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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