[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 28, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H2420-H2422]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR THE GREATER WASHINGTON 
                             SOAP BOX DERBY

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 376) authorizing the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 376

       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 19, 2004, 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 H2421]]

     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 5104(c) of title 40, 
     United States Code, 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 California (Mr. Thompson) 
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 might 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 376 introduced, once again, 
by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) authorizes the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soapbox Derby on June 19, 
2004.
  In sort of a parenthetical, I would not only commend the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) but last year when we had similar legislation 
introduced by the gentleman, he was detained by his other very 
important duties as the minority whip; and the gentleman from Maine 
(Mr. Michaud) and I spent about 20 minutes on the floor thinking about 
great things on the soapbox derby to breathlessly await his arrival. I 
am grateful that the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) is with us 
today.
  These races, which will be held on Constitution Avenue, allow young 
people from the Greater Washington Metropolitan area to compete with 
one another for the honor of representing their district at the 
National Soap Box Derby competition to be held this summer in the city 
of Akron in the great State of Ohio.
  Participants, who range in age from 9 to 16, compete in three 
different divisions, based upon experience. In preparing for these 
competitions, participants must construct their vehicle, with limited 
assistance, from stock supplies. The Soap Box Derby teaches the value 
of hard work, dedication, and ingenuity, and shows them the joy of a 
job well done.
  This race has been held for over 50 years in the Washington area. I 
am pleased that once again we can offer our support for this worthwhile 
event.
  The sponsors of this event have agreed to work with the Capitol 
Police to ensure the enforcement of all applicable regulations, and the 
event will be free of charge and open to the public.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.
  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he 
may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), my esteemed 
colleague and the esteemed whip for the minority side of the aisle.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Thompson), for yielding. I also want to thank my good 
friend from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), the chairman of this subcommittee, 
for last year trying to give me the opportunity to speak on my bill. I 
remember that and recall that well. I thank him very much.
  I want to thank my good friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Thompson), the ranking Democrat, and the extraordinary staff assistant 
that he has on this subcommittee, Susan Brita.
  Mr. Speaker, for the past 12 years I have sponsored a resolution for 
the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby to hold its race on the Capitol 
Grounds along Constitution Avenue. Once again, I am proud to have 
sponsored such a resolution to permit the 63rd running of the Soap Box 
Derby races scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 19.
  The 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.
  Therefore, I request my colleagues to join with me and other co-
sponsors, including the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Wynn), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran), and 
the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen), in supporting this 
resolution.
  The Soap Box Derby has been held in the Washington D.C. area since 
1991. It has attracted over 50 participants each of these years ranging 
in age from 9 to 16. The participants work very hard, as all of us 
know, to prepare their own race cars from the kit provided by the All 
American Soap Box Derby program.
  The contestants are given an opportunity to learn basic skills of 
workmanship and to enhance their building expertise while creating 
their own style car. Winners of these levels of the local race become 
eligible to compete in the National Soap Box Derby races held in the 
district of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) in Akron.
  Prior to the national races, they attend a week of camps in Derbytown 
where they make lasting friendships while participating in a variety of 
sporting activities. The national races are held in July and give the 
participants a chance to win scholarships and merchandise prizes.
  Mr. Speaker, this event has been called, and I quote, ``the greatest 
amateur racing event in the world.'' I am not sure that it is the 
greatest, but it is certainly one of the very best and certainly gives 
to young people the values of self-reliance, of enterprise, of 
innovation, and of competition.
  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.
  I again thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson) for their leadership in 
bringing this to the floor.
  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I associate myself with the 
remarks made by the author of the bill, the gentleman from Maryland 
(Mr. Hoyer).
  Mr. Speaker, I ask for passage of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to support, along with Ms. Norton, Mr. 
Hoyer, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Moran of Virginia, Mr. Wynn, and Mr. Van Hollen, 
H. Con. Res. 376, and acknowledge the efforts of Mr. Hoyer, who has 
been such a great and consistent champion for his constituents for this 
event.
  H. Con. Res. 376 authorizes use of the Capitol Grounds for the 
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. Youngsters age 9 through 16 
construct and operate their own soap box vehicles. On June 19, 2004 
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 quickly 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.
  Consistent with all events using the Capitol Grounds, this event is 
open to the public and free of charge. The organizers will work with 
the Capitol Hill Police and the Office of the Architect.
  I support H. Con. Res. 376 and urge passage of this resolution.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 376, 
which authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater 
Washington Soap Box Derby. I especially want to mention the diligence 
and dedication of Mr. Hoyer, the resolution's annual sponsor.
  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.

[[Page H2422]]

  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 the National Soap Box Derby finals.
  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.
  I support this resolution and urge my colleagues to support H. Con. 
Res. 376.
  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our 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 agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 376.
  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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