[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 25, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H1696-H1698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AUTHORIZING USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR THE GREATER WASHINGTON SOAP BOX
DERBY
Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 349) authorizing the use of the
Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 349
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 17, 2006, 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,
[[Page H1697]]
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. Shuster) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Davis)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.
General Leave
Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 349.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
There was no objection.
Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
House Concurrent Resolution 349 authorizes the use of the Capitol
Grounds for the 65th Annual Greater Washington Soap Box Derby to be
held June 17, 2006. The resolution also authorizes the Architect of the
Capitol; the U.S. Capitol Police; and the Greater Washington Soap Box
Derby Association, the sponsor of the event, to negotiate the necessary
arrangements for carrying out this traditional event in compliance with
the rules and regulations governing the use of the Capitol Grounds.
The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby is one of the largest
qualifying races in the country. This race takes place on Constitution
Avenue between Delaware Avenue and Third Street, NW. Participants are
residents of the Washington metropolitan area and range in age from 8
to 17. The winners of these races will represent the Washington
metropolitan area at the national finals, held annually in Akron, Ohio.
I support this concurrent resolution, which continues our custom of
authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for this exciting event, and
urge my colleagues to do the same.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield such
time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), a
good friend of mine and the prime sponsor of House Concurrent
Resolution 349, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.
{time} 1515
Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the distinguished gentleman
from Tennessee (Mr. Davis) for yielding me time. I want to thank my
friend from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) for his leadership on this
issue.
Madam Speaker, for the 16th 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.
H. Con. Res. 349 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 65th annual Greater
Washington Soap Box Derby will be held on Saturday, June 17.
Soap box derby racing, Madam Speaker, in our Nation's Capital has a
long and rich tradition. In 1938, Norman Rocca beat out 233 other
racers to win the inaugural Greater Washington Soap Box Derby, which
was held on New Hampshire.
Over the years, thousands of the region's young people have
participated in this great race, although the location has varied from
the original site on New Hampshire Avenue to Capitol Hill, with stops
on Massachusetts Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue, and Eastern Avenue along
the way.
The essence of the race has remained the same. homemade gravity-
powered cars, the spirit of competition, and the pure joy of racing.
The Soap Box Derby consists of dozens of drivers, both boys and girls,
ranging in ages from 8 to 17. These racers are divided into three
division: stock, superstock and masters. The local winners of each
division will automatically qualify to compete with racers from around
the world in the 69th All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, on
July 22 of this year.
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 to last a lifetime.
The past 6 years, the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby has had one
of its participants finish in the top 10 in the All-American
competition. In fact, last year's master's division champion, Robbie
Reuss of Waldorf, finished an impressive second in Akron. Robbie's
finish surpassed Gene Bean's third in the 1941 All-American and is the
best finish for a representative of the Greater Washington Soap Box
Derby. I am very proud of Robbie, and I am hopeful that this might
finally be the year when one of our racers from the Greater Washington
area is finally crowned world champion.
Madam Speaker, this event has been called the greatest amateur racing
event in the world, and it is an excellent opportunity for the
contestants from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia to
learn basic building skills while gaining a real sense of
accomplishment.
Madam Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues, as I expect them
to, to join me with the other original cosponsors of this resolution,
Representative Frank Wolf, Representative James Moran, Representative
Eleanor Holmes Norton, Representative Al Wynn, and Representative Chris
Van Hollen, in supporting this resolution and congratulating all the
participants.
Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, there are many things in America that are purely
American. It is my understanding that the Soap Box Derby races that we
have is purely an American phenomenon that started here. Other
countries may have adopted it, but it is wonderful to be a part of this
legislation that makes it possible for young men and young women to
broaden their minds and their scientific knowledge as they develop the
skills of building the eventual vehicle that they will ride, hopefully
to victory.
Madam Speaker, I am delighted to support, along with Mr. Hoyer, Mr.
Wolf, Mr. Moran of Virginia, Mr. Wynn, Mr. Van Hollen, and Ms. Norton
House Concurrent Resolution 349, and acknowledge the efforts of Mr.
Hoyer, who has been such a great and consistent champion for his
constituents for this event.
House Concurrent Resolution 349 authorizes use of the Capitol Grounds
for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. On June 17, 2006 youngsters
from the greater Washington area will race down Constitution Ave. to
test the principles of aerodynamics in hand designed and constructed
soap box vehicles. All the contestants, ages 9 through 16, construct
and operate their own soap box vehicles.
Madam Speaker, the All American Soap Box Derby originated in 1933 and
quickly became a national phenomenon. There are now more than 150 races
currently taking place nationwide to determine 440 qualifiers for the
national race finals held in Akron, Ohio.
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, DC 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 House Concurrent Resolution 349 and urge passage of this
resolution.
Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I join Mr. Hoyer and Ms. Norton,
together with Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Moran of Virginia, Mr. Wolf, and Mr.
Wynn, in supporting House Concurrent Resolution 349, to authorize use
of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. I
especially want to acknowledge the dedication of Mr. Hoyer, the
resolution's annual sponsor, who faithfully introduces this resolution
to authorize use of the Capitol Grounds for such a worthwhile event.
This annual event encourages all boys and girls, ages nine through
16, to construct and operate their own soap box vehicles. The
[[Page H1698]]
Washington event, which attracts a great number of spectators and
extensive media coverage, has grown in size and has become one of the
best-attended events in the country. The winner in each of three
divisions wins a trip to the national race in Akron, as well as
trophies and prizes.
The principles of aerodynamics are combined with fun and excitement
for all participants and their families in the Greater Washington area.
It is an excellent opportunity for parents to have direct involvement
in their children's activities. The derby's mission is to provide
children with an activity that promotes technical and social skills
that will serve them throughout their lives.
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 for the event.
I support this resolution and urge my colleagues to support House
Concurrent Resolution 349.
Mr. DAVIS of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Drake). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res.
349.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will
be postponed.
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