[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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