[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 10, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H3076-H3077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SPECIAL 
                   OLYMPICS LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN

  Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 135) authorizing the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law 
Enforcement Torch Run.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 135

       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), 

     SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR D.C. 
                   SPECIAL OLYMPICS LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN.

       On June 10, 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, the 2005 
     District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch 
     Run (in this resolution referred to as the ``event'') may be 
     run through the Capitol Grounds as part of the journey of the 
     Special Olympics torch to the District of Columbia Special 
     Olympics summer games.

     SEC. 2. RESPONSIBILITY OF CAPITOL POLICE BOARD.

       The Capitol Police Board shall take such actions as may be 
     necessary to carry out the event.

     SEC. 3. CONDITIONS RELATING TO PHYSICAL PREPARATIONS.

       The Architect of the Capitol may prescribe conditions for 
     physical preparations for the event.

     SEC. 4. 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, in 
     connection with the event.

  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 135 authorizes the use of the Capitol 
Grounds for the 20th annual District of Columbia Special Olympics Law 
Enforcement Torch Run to take place on June 10, 2005. The Special 
Olympics is an international organization dedicated to using athletics 
to impact the lives of children and adults with intellectual 
disabilities. Funds raised through projects like the Law Enforcement 
Torch Run make it possible for athletes with disabilities to train and 
compete year round.
  The Special Olympics offers something that is seldom offered to these 
individuals. It creates an environment where persons with disabilities 
are

[[Page H3077]]

fully accepted, encouraged and empowered. Through training and 
competition, Special Olympics athletes grow mentally and physically, 
improving their physical fitness and motor skills and ultimately 
gaining greater self-confidence. With more than 85,000 law enforcement 
officers carrying the flame across 35 nations, the 2004 Special 
Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run raised more than $20.5 million. This 
event has historically been the largest and most successful Special 
Olympics grassroots fundraiser and awareness vehicle, and with the 
authorization of House Concurrent Resolution 135, we will ensure its 
continued success.
  The sponsors of the event will work with the Architect of the Capitol 
and the United States Capitol Police to comply with all the applicable 
regulations relating to the use of the Capitol Grounds and will assume 
responsibility for all expenses and liabilities related to the event.

                              {time}  1530

  I encourage my colleagues to join the law enforcement community in 
supporting the Special Olympics and join me in supporting this 
resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCHWARTZ of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, this event needs little introduction. 2005 marks the 
38th anniversary of the District Special Olympics. The torch relay 
event is a traditional part of the opening ceremonies for the Special 
Olympics, which will take place at Gallaudet University in the District 
of Columbia. This event has become a highlight on Capitol Hill and is 
an integral part of the Special Olympics.
  In the early 1960s, Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp for 
people with mental retardation, and the Special Olympics were born. The 
games help mentally challenged individuals gain confidence and self-
esteem through friendly competition in a supportive environment.
  Today, more than 1 million children and adults with special needs 
participate in the Special Olympics programs worldwide. Here in our 
Nation's capital, approximately 2,500 Special Olympians compete in 
dozens of events each year, and they are cheered on by their family 
members and friends. This inspirational event is due in large part to 
the efforts of thousands of volunteers from the greater Washington, 
D.C. area. And these individuals deserve our thanks and our assistance.
  I enthusiastically support this resolution and the very worthwhile 
endeavor of the Special Olympics. I urge support for House Concurrent 
Resolution 135.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. SCHWARTZ of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he 
may consume to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), ranking 
member on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
  (Mr. OBERSTAR asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me 
this time and, again, the committee for bringing this concurrent 
resolution to the House floor, as is our annual responsibility, to 
authorize the use of the Capitol grounds for the Special Olympic Law 
Enforcement Torch Run.
  The gentlewoman and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent), 
representing the majority, have well explained the purpose of the 
Special Olympics and the Torch Run. But I just want to take a moment to 
pay tribute to Sarge Shriver, who for so many years has been the 
inspiration behind, and the organizational force of, the Special 
Olympics. It really has become synonymous with Sarge Shriver. This 
event, which has become so widely admired, so greatly appreciated, has 
just made an enormous difference for young, middle-aged and older 
mentally disabled persons, reinforcing their self-confidence, building 
self-esteem, and improving the quality of their health as they prepare 
for and participate in the Special Olympics.
  From time to time on Sunday I see Sarge Shriver at our Lady of Mercy 
Parish where I participate in mass when I am in the Washington Area. It 
just pains me as I see Sarge Shriver overcome by the mental ravages of 
Alzheimer's. Even with this dreadful disease he certainly functions 
well, and his body is strong, and his mind is clear. But one can see 
the ravages of this dreaded ailment. And for one who has given so much 
to so many people for so many years, it just brings home to me every 
time I see him this enormous contribution that he has made so 
selflessly over the many years.
  Eunice Shriver, who took over the Kennedy family initiative on behalf 
of the mentally disabled, played a strong, forceful role in my hometown 
with the publisher of our hometown newspaper, Veda Ponikvar, in 
building and commissioning the Range Center for the mentally retarded, 
bringing people who have been neglected, held in homes, shut away in 
closets and downstairs rooms and attics and bringing them out into the 
world and giving them an opportunity for self-esteem, for self-
confidence, to learn skills, to be productive members of our community.
  And so across the country, those who have been helped by the Shriver 
family and the Kennedy inspiration for the programs to support those 
with mental disabilities, the Special Olympics stands out as the 
premier activity nationwide to give respect, recognition, full 
membership in society to those not so fortunate as the rest of us.
  Ms. SCHWARTZ of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Capito). 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. 
135.
  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.

                          ____________________