[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 15, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H5009-H5010]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR THE GREATER WASHINGTON 
                             SOAP BOX DERBY

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 79) authorizing the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 79

       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 16, 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.

     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 
Maryland (Mr. Cummings) and the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Drake) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CUMMINGS. 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 H. Con. Res. 79.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution authorizes the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the 2007 Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. As with 
all events on the Capitol Hill, this event will be open to the public 
and free of charge. The event organizers will work with the Office of 
the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Hill Police to ensure all 
rules and regulations will be followed.
  The 2007 Greater Washington Soap Box Derby takes place on 
Constitution Avenue between Delaware Avenue and Third Street, N.W., on 
June 16, 2007. This event has been held on the U.S. Capitol Grounds 
since 1991 and has attracted over 50 participants, ranging in ages from 
8 to 17. Participants competing in the event will come from the 
metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. The D.C. metropolitan race winners 
from each age division will meet later in the summer in Akron, Ohio, to 
compete in the All American Soap Box Derby.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the resolution and reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 79 authorizes the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the 66th Annual Greater Washington Soap Box Derby 
to be held on June 16, 2007. The event is open to the public and free 
of charge.
  The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby is one of the largest 
qualifying races in the country. The races take place on Constitution 
Avenue between Delaware Avenue and Third Street, N.W. Participants are 
residents of the Washington Metropolitan area and range in age from 8 
to 17. They compete in three open divisions depending on their level of 
expertise. The winners of these races will represent the Washington 
Metropolitan Area at the national finals held annually in Akron, Ohio.
  The Annual Soap Box Derby is a wonderful summer tradition. I support 
this 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.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the majority leader, who is the 
sponsor of this resolution, one who has constantly put children first.
  Mr. HOYER. I thank my friend for yielding and I congratulate him on 
his leadership of this subcommittee and

[[Page H5010]]

his leadership in our State of Maryland. I am proud to be Mr. Cummings' 
colleague. I also thank the gentlelady from Virginia for her leadership 
in bringing this matter to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, I proudly sponsor this resolution allowing the Greater 
Washington Soap Box Derby Association to hold the 66th Annual Greater 
Washington Soap Box Derby on the Capitol Grounds on Saturday, June 16.

                              {time}  1415

  Our Nation's tradition of soapbox racing began, Mr. Speaker, as you 
may know, in 1934, when Myron E. Scott, a photographer for the Dayton 
Daily News, saw boys racing engineless cars down a hill. This inspired 
Mr. Scott to hold a race and award the winner with a ``loving cup.''
  The first year, the race took place in Dayton, Ohio. The following 
year the race moved to Akron due to the city's numerous hills. With the 
hard work of countless civic organizations, a permanent track site for 
the youth racing classic was created with the assistance of the Works 
Progress Administration, affectionately known as the WPA.
  Soapbox derby racing in our Nation's Capital has a long and rich 
tradition as well. In 1938, Norman Rocca beat out 223 other racers to 
win the inaugural Greater Washington Soapbox Derby, which was then held 
on New Hampshire Avenue.
  Over the years, thousands of the region's young people have 
participated in this great race. Although the location has moved from 
the original site on New Hampshire Avenue to Capitol Hill, the essence 
of the race has remained the same: homemade gravity-powered cars, the 
spirit of competition, and the pure joy of racing.
  The soapbox derby consists of dozens of drivers, both boys and girls, 
ranging in ages from 8 to 17. These racers are divided into three 
divisions: stock, superstock and masters. The local winner of each 
division will automatically qualify to compete with racers from around 
the world in the 70th All-American Soapbox Derby in Akron, Ohio, on 
July 26.
  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 last a lifetime.
  Mr. 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 and competition.
  I strongly encourage my colleagues to join with me and the other 
original cosponsors, Representatives Frank Wolf, James Moran, Eleanor 
Holmes Norton, Al Wynn, and Chris Van Hollen, as well as Mr. Cummings 
and Mrs. Drake, in supporting this resolution, which honors such an 
extraordinary and in some respects uniquely American event here on 
Capitol Hill.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I join the Majority Leader (Mr. Hoyer) and 
Ms. Norton, along with Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Moran of Virginia, Mr. Wolf, 
and Mr. Wynn in supporting House Concurrent Resolution 79, to authorize 
use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. I 
especially want to acknowledge the dedication of Mr. Hoyer, who 
faithfully introduces this resolution each year to authorize use of the 
Capitol Grounds for this wonderful event.
  This annual event encourages all boys and girls, ages eight through 
17, to construct and operate their own soap box vehicles. The 
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 age 
divisions wins a trip to the national race in Akron, Ohio. The 
Washington Soap Box Derby is supported by hundreds of volunteers and 
parents.
  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.
  This year, the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby is scheduled for 
June 16.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting House Concurrent 
Resolution 79.
  Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for this 
wonderful resolution, and with that I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Cummings) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 79.
  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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