[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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