[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 10, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H3075-H3076]
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. DENT. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 86) authorizing the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 86

       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 18, 2005, 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 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 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent) and the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. 
Schwartz) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent).
  Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  House Concurrent Resolution 86 authorizes the use of the Capitol 
Grounds for the 64th annual Greater Washington Soap Box Derby to take 
place on June 18, 2005.
  Dating back to 1933, when a newspaper photographer witnessed three 
local boys racing engine-less cars down a neighborhood hill, the soap 
box derby has become an example of classic Americana. Over the years, 
the idea to hold a neighborhood race has grown from a local race where 
competitors raced anything with wheels to win a trophy to a nationwide 
extravaganza complete with three soap box divisions, official sponsors 
and the opportunity to travel and win college scholarships.
  More importantly, however, is the work that goes into these soap box 
racers. Building a racer gives children valuable experience working 
with their hands and challenging their minds, learning about 
aerodynamics, craftsmanship and attention to detail. With three 
divisions and races all over the world, there is a place for everyone 
to try their hand at soap box building.
  It took several years for this hobby to catch on in Washington, D.C., 
but after more than seven decades of racing, the tradition of the 
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby continues to encourage youth between 
the ages of 8 and 17 to develop their building, design and creativity 
skills. The winners of each division will represent the Washington, 
D.C., metropolitan area in the National Soap Box Derby to be held in 
Akron, Ohio, on July 30, 2005.
  The races will take place on Constitution Avenue between Delaware 
Avenue and Third Street, Northwest, and will be free of charge to the 
public. The resolution also authorizes the Architect of the Capitol, 
the Capitol Police Board and the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby 
Association, the sponsor of the event, to negotiate the necessary 
arrangements for carrying out the event in complete compliance with the 
rules and regulations governing the use of the Capitol Grounds. The 
sponsor assumes responsibility for all expenses and liabilities related 
to the event. I support the resolution and urge my colleagues to join 
me in support.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCHWARTZ of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to 
stand here on behalf of the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure that has jurisdiction over this legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the sponsor of this legislation who, each 
year, has offered this resolution and has been a strong supporter of 
the soap box derby.
  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentlewoman from 
Pennsylvania for yielding time, and I thank her for her leadership on 
bringing this bill to the floor. I thank the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania as well on getting this bill to the floor early. The 
gentlewoman from Pennsylvania, I know, has worked with us on so many 
different matters. I thank her very much for making sure this happens.
  Madam Speaker, for the 15th straight year, I am proud to sponsor the 
resolution allowing the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association 
to hold its annual race on the grounds of the United States Capitol. 
They could not

[[Page H3076]]

do so without this legislation. H. Con. Res. 86 authorizes the 
Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board to work with the 
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association to ensure that all the 
necessary arrangements are made to conduct this race in complete 
compliance with the rules and regulations governing the use of the 
Capitol Grounds. The 64th annual Greater Washington Soap Box Derby will 
be held on Saturday, June 18.
  Since 1991, the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association has 
held its race on the Capitol Grounds. Each year, it attracts over 50 
racers, both boys and girls, ranging in age from 8 to 17. These young 
people work very hard to build their own gravity-powered race cars from 
a kit provided by the All-American Soap Box Derby program. What a great 
name, All-American Soap Box Derby, because it is, of course, true that 
like apple pie and motherhood, soap box derby rings so true to all 
Americans. Participating in the soap box derby provides contestants 
with an opportunity to learn basic building skills and a sense of 
accomplishment. Racers are divided into three divisions, stock, super 
stock and masters. The local winner of each division automatically 
qualifies to compete with racers from around the world in the All-
American soap box derby. This year's race will be held on July 30 in 
Akron, Ohio, where every year since 1936, except during World War II, 
young people have gathered to race.
  The festivities in Akron begin when the racers receive a police 
escort into town and conclude in the winner's circle with the awarding 
of scholarships and merchandise. In between, the racers and their 
families participate in a whirlwind of activities that leave them with 
enduring friendships and memories that I am sure will last a lifetime.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored that all three of last year's winners of 
the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby were from my congressional 
district from the Washington competition: Haley Luense of Accokeek, 
Robbie Reuss of Waldorf and Robert McDaniel of Bowie. They were not 
winners of the national competition but they were participants and did 
well.
  Madam Speaker, this event has been called and I quote, the greatest 
amateur racing event in the world. There may be a dispute on that from 
time to time, but it is a wonderful opportunity for our children from 
the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia to venture into the 
world of engineering while experiencing the spirit of competition.
  Therefore, Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join with me 
and the other original cosponsors, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. 
Wolf), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran), the gentlewoman from 
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. 
Wynn) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen) in supporting 
this resolution. Again, I thank the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania for 
her leadership in assuring that this bill gets to the floor in a timely 
fashion so that we will be ready for June 18.
  Ms. SCHWARTZ of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  I am delighted to join 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) in support of House Concurrent 
Resolution 86. In particular, I do want to acknowledge the efforts of 
the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) who has consistently been a 
champion for his constituents in ensuring that this event take place 
each year.
  House Concurrent Resolution 86 authorizes the use of the Capitol 
Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. On June 18, 2005, 
youngsters from the greater Washington area who are between 9 and 16 
will test the principles of aerodynamics as they race down Constitution 
Avenue in their soap box vehicles that they have designed and 
constructed.
  Madam 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 in the Nation. 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 House Concurrent Resolution 
86 and urge support of this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the ranking member of the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure.
  (Mr. OBERSTAR asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, the annual soap box derby is one of the 
most constructive activities that the Congress can support in behalf of 
young people and truly for families. As the gentleman from Maryland 
(Mr. Hoyer) has already explained and as the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent) has explained, constructing these vehicles 
brings together families, brings out the creative instincts of young 
people, gives them an opportunity to innovate and to produce a product 
in which they have ownership and which takes a great deal of time and 
which brings families together. Supporting the annual soap box derby, 
we are doing something truly constructive for families, for the 
Nation's capital young people and for young people across America.
  Ms. SCHWARTZ of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I have no further 
requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 86.
  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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