[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 15, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H5004-H5005]
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

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend 
the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 123) 
authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia 
Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

[[Page H5005]]

  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 123

       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 8, 2007, 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 2007 
     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 gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Graves) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to 
revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on 
House Concurrent Resolution 123.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Texas?
  There was no objection.

                              {time}  1345

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 123 authorizes the use of 
the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law 
Enforcement Torch Run.
  The Capitol Police, along with the D.C. Special Olympics, will 
participate in the torch run to be held on June 8, 2007. The D.C. 
Special Olympics will work closely with the Capitol Police and the 
Architect of the Capitol to make sure that the event is in full 
compliance with rules and regulations governing the use of the Capitol 
Grounds.
  The Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics is run 
nationwide by law enforcement officials leading up to each State's or 
national Special Olympics summer games. Each year, nearly 50 local and 
Federal law enforcement agencies in Washington, D.C. participate to 
show their support of the D.C. Special Olympics. This torch relay event 
is a traditional part of the opening ceremonies for the Special 
Olympics. For the fifth year these opening ceremonies will take place 
at Catholic University in the District of Columbia. This is a 
worthwhile event attended by thousands of Special Olympians, their 
families and friends, and I support the resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  House Concurrent Resolution 123 authorizes the use of the Capitol 
Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement 
Torch Run, which will be held June 8, 2007. This event is cosponsored 
by the U.S. Capitol Police.
  The Special Olympics is an international organization dedicated to 
enriching the lives of children and adults with disabilities through 
athletics. The U.S. Capitol Police will host the opening ceremonies for 
the torch run, which will take place on the west terrace of the 
Capitol. Once lit, the torch will be carried to Fort McNair. An 
estimated 2,000 law enforcement representatives from more than 60 local 
and Federal law enforcement agencies will participate in this year's 
event.
  Congress has traditionally supported this worthy cause by authorizing 
the use of the Capitol Grounds. I encourage my colleagues to join the 
law enforcement community in supporting the Special Olympics and join 
me in supporting this resolution.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 
123, which authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District 
of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.
  Thanks to the tenacity to Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her family, 
thousands of Special Olympians see their self-confidence, self-esteem, 
and health increase by participating in the Special Olympics. These 
games highlight the athletic feats of mentally challenged children and 
young adults. Confidence and self-esteem are the building blocks for 
these Olympic Games. Better health, coordination, and lasting 
friendships are the results of participation.
  The Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics is run 
nationwide by law enforcement officers, leading up to each state's and 
the national Special Olympics Summer Games. Each year, nearly 50 local 
and Federal law enforcement agencies in Washington, DC, participate to 
show their support of the DC Special Olympics. This torch relay event 
is a traditional part of the opening ceremonies for the Special 
Olympics. Law enforcement officers, who are part of the extensive 
volunteer network that supports the games, carry the Olympic torch 
across the Capitol Grounds through the District of Columbia to Catholic 
University. The Capitol Police, along with the DC Special Olympics, 
will participate in the torch run to be held on June 8, 2007.
  Each year, approximately 2,500 Special Olympians of all ages compete 
in the DC Special Olympics in more than a dozen events. The event is 
supported by thousands of volunteers from the District and the region 
and is attended by thousands more family and friends of Special 
Olympians.
  These games are a wonderful expression of inclusiveness and a 
confirmation of individual contribution. I enthusiastically support 
this resolution and the very worthwhile endeavor of the Special 
Olympics.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Con. Res. 123.
  Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
123.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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