[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 4, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H4882-H4886]
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

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend 
the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 311) 
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. 311

       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 21, 2008, 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,

[[Page H4883]]

     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 gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Kuhl) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous 
consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend 
their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 311.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 
such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 311 authorizes the use of 
the Capitol Grounds for the annual Soap Box Derby. As all Members are 
aware, this is an annual event held here on Capitol Hill. Activities 
planned for this event will be coordinated with the Office of the 
Architect of the Capitol and, like all events on Capitol Hill grounds, 
will be free and open to the public.
  The 2008 Greater Washington Soap Box Derby will take place on 
Constitution Avenue between Delaware Avenue and Third Streets, 
Northwest, on June 22.

                              {time}  1030

  The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby has been held on the U.S. 
Capitol Grounds since 1991 and has attracted over 60 youth participants 
in each of those years.
  In 2007, for the first time in the 66 year history of the D.C. Soap 
Box Derby, a local participant won the Masters title in the national 
competition in Akron, Ohio. The All-American Derby Youth Program is 
administered by the International Soap Box Derby, Incorporated, an 
Akron-based nonprofit corporation. This is a family-oriented event and 
is supported by hundreds of parents and volunteers.
  I urge support for the resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  House Concurrent Resolution 311, sponsored by the majority leader, 
Representative Hoyer, authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 
67th Annual Washington Soap Box Derby on June 22, just a couple of 
weeks away, this year. For many years, Majority Leader Hoyer and 
Congress have supported this fun event, which allows children to show 
off their hard work and their creativity as they compete for trophies 
and the opportunity to race others in competition.
  Boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 17 will race down Capitol 
Hill in homemade cars, hopefully without injury. Winners in each of the 
three divisions go on to compete in the National Soap Box Derby in 
Akron, Ohio. Last year, the Soap Box Derby marked a historic event when 
racer Kacie Rader won both the District's race and the national title 
in her division.
  I support this resolution, and I encourage my colleagues to do the 
same.
  The authorization of the use of the Capitol Grounds is part of the 
managerial work that we do here in Congress. But the issues the 
American people want addressed are being ignored. While Americans 
struggle, particularly in my district, to put fuel in their cars, we 
authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds. Gas prices are soaring above 
$4 in many parts of the country and this Congress must act. We must 
work to find a way to ease the burden of increasing fuel costs.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter).
  Mr. CARTER. I am just real pleased, Madam Speaker, to be able to 
stand up and speak in favor of this, because this is a great example of 
conserving fuel for America. These cars don't run on gasoline or 
diesel. These kids are just going to let gravity take its course. I 
guess this trucker from Houston that I met with this last week who told 
me that he took a load from Houston to San Diego and got paid $1,800 
and his fuel costs were $1,700, he probably wishes it was all downhill 
from Houston to San Diego so he wouldn't have to pay the kind of fuel 
costs that are being imposed upon the American public.
  The American public is asking this House to address this issue. I 
don't think anybody who went home and talked to their constituents this 
last week could not have found out that people are frightened at the 
cost of fuel. Single parents are concerned that they can't get their 
children to school. They are concerned they are not able to get to do 
shopping. They are having to choose between food or fuel in families 
across our country. It is time to use American energy intelligently.
  As we look at this great race, which I support, I am excited for 
these young people and I think it is really Americana at its best. But 
using America's resources wisely is also Americana at its best, and our 
citizens expect us to find and use the fuel that is available for them 
to bring these prices down.
  I encourage my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to join us 
on this side of the aisle in trying to find new sources of fuel from 
all over this Nation, from Alaska to the Gulf of Mexico to offshore. It 
is important to America. It is important to our families.
  I thank you for allowing me to express my opinion.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield such time 
as he may consume to the majority leader, the gentleman from Maryland 
(Mr. Hoyer).
  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, today I rise as a proud sponsor of House 
Concurrent Resolution 311, legislation which will allow the Greater 
Washington Soap Box Derby Association to hold the 67th Annual Greater 
Washington Soap Box Derby on the grounds of the United States Capitol 
on June 22nd.
  Soap Box Derby racing in our Nation's Capital has a long and rich 
tradition. In 1938, Norman Rocca beat out 223 other racers to win the 
Inaugural Greater Washington Soap Box Derby, which was 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, 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. Community groups, 
police departments, fire departments and other sponsors sponsor 
children each year, children who may not otherwise be able to 
participate.
  The Soap Box Derby is not simply a race, Madam Speaker; it is an 
enriching way to reach out to our youth and teach them the importance 
of community, responsibility, hard work and innovation.
  The Soap Box Derby consists of dozens of drivers, both boys and 
girls, ranging in age from 8 to 17. These racers are divided into three 
divisions; stock, super stock and masters. The local winners of each 
division will automatically qualify to compete with racers from around 
the world in the 71st All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, on 
July 26th.
  Madam Speaker, this event has been called ``the greatest amateur 
racing event in the world.'' It is an excellent opportunity for 
contestants from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia to 
learn basic building skills while gaining a real sense of 
accomplishment.
  Further, I hope that this year's winner from the Greater Washington 
area will have the same success as one of last year's participants, Ms. 
Kacie Rader. Kacie's win in Washington was only the beginning. Not only 
is Kacie a constituent and a neighbor, she also is the 2007 All-
American Soap Box Derby Masters Division champion.
  I strongly encourage my colleagues to join with me and the other 
original cosponsors, Representatives Frank Wolf, Jim Moran, Eleanor 
Holmes Norton and Chris Van Hollen, in supporting this resolution.
  Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may

[[Page H4884]]

consume to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot).
  Mr. CHABOT. I thank the gentleman from New York for yielding.
  I think it is wonderful that we are talking about the Soap Box Derby. 
It is a good thing that it doesn't require any energy or any gasoline, 
because the gas prices in this country are higher than I think anybody 
would have expected in our lifetimes. It is about $4 a gallon now, and 
people are asking me in my district, what are we going to do about 
this? What can we do about it?
  Well, we should have done something about this a long time ago. The 
principal reason we are seeing these high gas prices is because we are 
far too dependent on foreign sources of energy. Why is that? Well, I 
know that as this one Member from Ohio can tell you, I voted 11 times 
in the last 14 years to open ANWR in Alaska for exploration and 
drilling. We think we have somewhere between 10 and 16 billion barrels 
of oil there. Unfortunately, we have handcuffed ourselves and put that 
off limits.
  We also have the Outer Continental Shelf, where we have upwards of 86 
billion barrels of oil and huge amounts of natural gas. If we had 
access to that natural gas, we wouldn't see the high heating prices for 
heating one's home in the wintertime.
  But this is essentially the policy that this new majority here in 
Congress has put into effect. In reality, over the last decade, decade-
and-a-half, even though they were in the minority in the time, they 
were able to block it over in the other body, in the Senate. So we had 
the votes here in the House to do it, but they didn't have the votes 
over there.
  When you put huge amounts of energy like that off limits, it means we 
have to get that oil somewhere, so that means, unfortunately, we have 
to import it from OPEC nations, for example, who literally just keep 
the spigot turned down so that there isn't enough supply out there. 
Then when you have economies in India and China expanding and growing, 
it is a supply and demand issue. So the price goes up and continues to 
go up, because we are far too dependent on buying that oil from 
somewhere else. About two-thirds of our oil we buy elsewhere.
  I know when the new Speaker of the House, Ms. Pelosi, took over here, 
a few months before the election she made the statement that the gas 
prices were outrageous. They made a big campaign issue about that. At 
that time they were $2.30 a gallon. She said that was outrageous, and 
they had a plan to do something about that. Well, the plan that we have 
seen from this new majority here in the House of Representatives has 
resulted in it going from $2.30 a gallon to about $4.00 a gallon in 
less than 2 years.
  So the problem is this new majority that talks about an energy 
policy, and they actually passed an energy bill recently, it was a no-
energy bill, because it didn't open up ANWR, it didn't open up the 
Outer Continental Shelf. It did nothing about making it possible for us 
to build oil refineries in this county.
  We haven't built an oil refinery since 1976, over 30 years, making it 
virtually impossible to build an oil refinery. Therefore, even if we 
had enough crude in this country, we couldn't refine it quickly enough 
to be able to put it in our cars.
  They have also been instrumental in pushing for these boutique fuels, 
where different States have different blends so the supply is very 
difficult to get around. That has driven the price up.
  Also the liberals here in the House of Representatives over the 
years, and in this country, for that matter, their policy has been no 
new nuclear power plants. Now, France has 80 percent of their 
electricity produced by nuclear power plants. About 20 years ago, the 
liberals in this country were able to effectively shut down new nuclear 
power plants being built in this country. We have over 100 of them 
right now, but that means we haven't built any newer ones. China and 
India and other countries around the world are building them and 
relying more and more upon nuclear, but not the United States.
  Many of us said what we are seeing now was where we were heading if 
we didn't change these policies. Unfortunately, this new majority here 
in the House of Representatives has gone just in the opposite direction 
from where they need to go. They have restricted us. They continue to 
restrict us from getting access to new energy which we have under our 
control in this country. They keep saying, let's just buy it from 
someplace else. Let's buy it from the OPEC countries. They will be nice 
to us. Well, they are not being nice to us. It is in their economic 
interests to continue to have this price continue to go up.
  It is an absolute shame. It is a disgrace. It is unconscionable that 
this Congress consistently votes to make it harder and harder to be 
energy self-sufficient. That is where we need to go, not being more and 
more dependent upon foreign sources of energy. If we don't change it, 
the prices that we see right now, which are extremely high and are 
hurting an awful lot of people, will continue to go up.
  Diesel is another problem. If you talk to any truckers right now, the 
price now is driving a lot of these people out of business. I was 
visiting with a fellow who is a farmer in my district last Friday who 
also has a side business. He had a truck. He pointed out it was behind 
one of his barns. He said, ``I just park it now.'' It costs $1,500 to 
fill up his tanks in that truck now. He just can't afford to do it.

                              {time}  1045

  And that is affecting every American, because everything that we buy, 
whether it is furniture, whether it is food goods, almost anything that 
we purchase in this country is transported at some point or another 
over truck. That means those prices are going to continue to go up 
again. So I challenge this majority to change their policies, to take a 
good look at what they have been doing and the direction that we are 
heading and reverse that and allow us to become less dependent on 
foreign sources of energy. Let's bring these gas prices down before it 
cripples this country and cripples our economy.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, how much time do 
we have left?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from Texas has 15\1/2\ 
minutes. The gentleman from New York has 10 minutes.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, at this time I yield 4 minutes 
to the gentleman from California, Representative Doolittle.
  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Madam Speaker, I have watched over the years on energy 
what has been happening in this country. Now we are in a big mess, with 
gasoline prices over $4 a gallon. This didn't just happen by accident; 
the Democrats have been working to make this happen for the 18 years 
that I have been a Member of this House. Very interesting.
  You know, ANWR exploration, House Republicans, 91 percent of us 
supported drilling in ANWR. Actually, both houses of Congress in 1995, 
I believe it was, passed legislation directing drilling in ANWR, and 
President Bill Clinton vetoed the bill. The Democrats opposed this 
bill. If we had passed that legislation, if President Clinton had 
signed it into law, we wouldn't be paying $4 a gallon. And while 91 
percent of House Republicans supported drilling in ANWR, 86 percent of 
House Democrats and President Clinton opposed it.
  Converting coal to liquid, 97 percent of House Republicans voted to 
do that. Do you know that Wyoming is considered the Saudi Arabia of 
coal in the world? It is one of our greatest natural resources. 97 
percent of Republicans voted for that policy to allow the conversion so 
that it could be used; 78 percent of House Democrats opposed it. It 
never became law.
  Oil shale. We have got lots of oil locked up in shale in the 
Intermountain West; 90 percent of House Republicans supported oil shale 
exploration, 86 percent of House Democrats opposed it.
  Is there a pattern that you are beginning to see here, Madam Speaker? 
The fact of the matter is, Republicans have supported every feasible 
possibility for new forms of energy and it seems like the Democrats, 
most of them, have opposed it.
  I am a Californian. We ought to be drilling right now off the coast 
of California and Florida and every other place in this country where 
there are large oil reserves, and there are very large oil reserves in 
those two cases.

[[Page H4885]]

Eighty-one percent of House Republicans voted to do that; 83 percent of 
House Democrats opposed taking that action.
  Increasing refinery capacity. We have heard that we haven't built a 
new refinery in this country for some 35 years. Ninety-seven percent of 
House Republicans voted to expand the amounts of refineries; 96 percent 
of House Democrats opposed it.
  Madam Speaker, we didn't get here by accident. Democrats have been 
talking about energy and opposing effective new ways of developing 
energy. Republicans' talk has been consistent with our actions.
  Now, not all Republicans voted the way I would have liked and not all 
Democrats voted against our position. But the fact of the matter is, 
you see these statistics, they have been in the 90th percentile, the 
high 80s; in one case it was 78 Democrats opposed, 78 percent for the 
coal to liquid. But everything else I have cited, they have been 83 
percent or higher opposed to these policies.
  It is no accident gas is $4 a gallon. The policies we vote on do make 
a difference. Listen and look at the record. The Republicans for years 
have been trying to get more energy for this country. The Democrats 
have opposed it. We are reaping a bitter harvest of $4 a gallon plus.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes 
to the Congresswoman from California (Ms. Watson).
  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, please let me set the record straight on 
congressional action on gas prices.
  We now have a law, it is the farm bill, the historic investment in 
affordable biofuels, and beefed-up oversight on market manipulation. 
The President's veto was overridden on May 21 of this year. We also 
have the Renewable Energy and Job Act. It was passed on May 21 and 
there is a threat of a veto, but it was passed. Then, the Gas Price 
Relief for Consumers Act, holding OPEC and oil companies accountable 
for price fixing, and it passed on May 20, it is also under a veto 
threat.
  Now we have a law, Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and 
Consumer Protection Act. It was passed on May 13 and it had a pretty 
hefty vote to take it out of this House, it is now law. Let's set the 
record straight.
  We also repealed subsidies to profit-rich big oil companies, and 
invest in renewable energy. It also is under veto threat. It passed 
here at the beginning of the year, February 27. We also have a law, 
Energy Independence Law with Market Manipulation Ban & New Vehicle 
Mileage Standards. It is now law. It passed the House last year on 
December 18, 2007.
  We have another bill that is under a veto threat, a crackdown on gas 
price gouging. It passed the House on another pretty hefty vote that 
was bipartisan; it passed on May 23. And, Hold OPEC Accountable for Oil 
Price Fixing, it passed on May 22 on a vote of 345-72, and it is under 
veto threat.
  Now, Madam Speaker, you are going to hear that the Democrats aren't 
doing anything, but let me give you the exact votes on all of these 
bills.
  The Republican leader, John Boehner, voted ``no'' on OPEC price 
fixing, oil fixing. He voted ``no'' on price gouging. He voted ``no'' 
on renewable energy. He voted ``no'' on energy security.
  Roy Blunt voted ``no'' on OPEC price fixing, ``no'' on price gouging, 
and ``no'' on renewable energy.
  Adam Putnam voted ``no'' on price gouging and renewable energy.
  Thaddeus McCotter voted ``no'' on renewable energy and ``no'' on 
energy security.
  And it goes on and on and on.
  So to set the record straight, we are putting out sound bills to 
address the oil, shall I say, surge in price, because in my city of Los 
Angeles I was astounded when I got home to see that Diesel 2 sells in 
Los Angeles on the average for $4.99.9. I am sure when I get back to 
Los Angeles in a week it will be $5. The average price of gas in Los 
Angeles, in my district, and really throughout California, is $4.12 a 
gallon.
  Madam Speaker, we are proposing good and sound legislation to address 
the needs for energy and renewable energy sources in the United States 
of America so our constituencies can get back and forth to work and 
enjoy a better life, and so we need the help of the other party because 
this should not be an issue that is partisan. It is an issue for 
America.
  Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, in closing, I would ask my 
colleagues to support this bill. It is a very meritorious bill. And 
while the legislative action of this Congress idles relative to energy 
legislation, certainly the kids of America should be able to carry on 
tradition. I support and applaud Leader Hoyer for bringing this 
resolution to the floor.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I do have one 
additional request for time. I yield 3 minutes to Congresswoman Kaptur 
from Ohio.
  Ms. KAPTUR. I thank the gentlelady for yielding to me, and will place 
quite a bit of information in the Record on what Democrats are trying 
to do here in order to put America on an energy independent path. But 
it is pretty difficult when you have a Bush administration that vetoes 
everything that we try to do, or threatens it, and you have the kind of 
speeches that are occurring down here today.
  We have got an oil man as the President of this country. His right-
hand fellow over there from Wyoming, Mr. Cheney, ran Halliburton, an 
oil servicing company. So you pretty well know what you have got 
sitting over there in the White House.
  Since they became President and Vice President, this country is 
importing 1 billion more barrels of oil every year, 1 billion barrels 
more under the Bush administration. This is not a recipe for energy 
independence in our country.
  This week it was embarrassing to see Secretary Paulson over in Abu 
Dhabi asking them to, gee, you know, still believe in the dollar, and 
all of the investors over there made rich by these oil petro dollars, 
largely U.S. dollars, watching our Secretary give that set of remarks. 
Similarly, President Bush a couple of weeks ago went to Saudi Arabia 
and sort of drilled around in the Middle East to see if he could find 
any additional sources of supply, begging the oil barons.
  You know, it wouldn't take that much for him to direct his limousine 
right up here to Congress, not the Middle East. We have got some rooms 
over here on this side; we could sit around and talk about what can we 
agree on in terms of energy independence, what can we agree on here in 
order to do together what we cannot do alone. Make America energy 
independent.
  As the gentlelady from California said, the President even vetoed the 
farm bill where we put in a major new title dealing with biofuels. 
Rural America wants to help lift this country to energy independence.
  We are trying to get additions to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve 
suspended for the moment in order to give some price relief to the 
American people. Gee, it would be great if President Bush would kind of 
help us out on that.
  He hasn't supported any of our renewable energy bills down here on 
the floor. In fact, if you look at the energy bill that he produced up 
there, that big report in his first term, he doesn't even deal with 
renewables. When you have got an oil perspective at the head of the 
machine, the car doesn't go in the right direction.
  And so it seems to me, look at the record. Look at what he has done 
and not done on these--The Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act, no 
support there. Trying to get OPEC and the big oil companies to have 
some accountability, he doesn't support us on that. Rather than the 
President taking trips over to the Middle East, he ought to just come 
right up Pennsylvania Avenue here to the Congress. Meet with the chairs 
of our committees who really do care about this, Mr. Dingell, Mr. 
Markey, Speaker Pelosi. We have got a lot of people here willing to 
talk. But the President is sending the Secretary of the Treasury over 
to Abu Dhabi and he himself over to Saudi Arabia. What does that tell 
the American people? A billion more barrels a year imported every year 
since he became President.
  We don't have a partner to deal with over there at the other end of 
Pennsylvania Avenue. And that is why the American people are changing 
the people being elected here. They know America needs change. They 
want real leadership. They know they are not getting it.

[[Page H4886]]

  So I say to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, it is time 
to deal. Get the President. Let's talk about something serious for the 
sake of the Republic.
  Here's a list:

  Democratic-Led Congress Taking Action To Bring Down the Cost of Gas


                           PASSED THIS MONTH

       Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer 
     Protection Act--Congress has enacted legislation to suspend 
     the fill of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve through the end 
     of the year, as long as the price of crude oil remains above 
     $75 per barrel. This is a critical first step for hardworking 
     families, businesses and the economy, which in the past has 
     brought gas prices down. The President, who was previously 
     opposed, suspended shipments and signed the bill because of 
     overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress.
       Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act--This legislation 
     will extend and expand tax incentives for renewable energy, 
     retain and create hundreds of thousands of green jobs, spur 
     American innovation and business investment, and cut taxes 
     for millions of Americans. These provisions are critical to 
     creating and preserving hundreds of thousands of good-paying 
     green collar American jobs. A recent study showed that 
     allowing the renewable energy incentives to expire would lead 
     to about 116,000 jobs being lost in the wind and solar 
     industries alone through the end of 2009.
       The OPEC and Big Oil companies accountability bill--This 
     bill will combat record gas prices by authorizing lawsuits 
     against oil cartel members for oil price fixing, and creating 
     an Antitrust Task Force to crack down on oil companies 
     engaged in anticompetitive behavior or market manipulation. 
     President Bush has threatened to veto this bill.


                             RECENT ACTION

       Energy Independence and Security Act in 2007--Historic 
     energy legislation with provisions to combat oil market 
     manipulation, increase fuel efficiency to 35 miles per gallon 
     in 2020--the first congressional increase in more than three 
     decades, and promote the use of more affordable American 
     biofuels. Signed into law on December 19, 2007, Under new 
     requirements in the Energy Independence Law and pressure from 
     Congress the FTC announced on May 1, 2008 it would 
     investigate allegations of market manipulation that may have 
     led to last year's record price spikes in gasoline prices.
       Reduces our dependence on foreign oil--cutting our 
     consumption of oil by 2.9 million gallons per year in 2030--
     more than what we currently import from all Persian Gulf 
     countries combined.
       Lowers energy costs for consumers with oil prices projected 
     to decline from more than $100 per barrel to $57 per barrel 
     in 2016 (in 2006 dollars) in part due to the new energy law.
       The new fuel standard for cars and trucks will save 
     American families $700 to $1,000 per year at the pump.
       Reduces global warming emissions by 2030 by up to 24 
     percent of what the U.S. needs to do to help save the planet.
       Building, appliance, and lighting efficiency standards will 
     save consumers $400 billion through 2030.
       Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act--This 
     legislation would end unnecessary subsidies to Big Oil 
     companies, invest in clean, renewable energy and energy 
     efficiency, and help reduce global warming. The bill includes 
     provisions that will generate hundreds of thousands of green 
     jobs including an estimated 70,000 solar energy jobs, more 
     than 20,000 biodiesel jobs, and protect an additional 75,000 
     wind industry jobs. President Bush has threatened to veto 
     this bill.
       Energy Price Gouging Prevention Act--This bill will provide 
     immediate relief to consumers by giving the Federal Trade 
     Commission (FTC) the authority to investigate and punish 
     those who artificially inflate the price of energy. It will 
     ensure the federal government has the tools it needs to 
     adequately respond to energy emergencies and prohibit price 
     gouging--with a priority on refineries and big oil companies. 
     President Bush has threatened to veto this bill.
       No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels (NOPEC) Act--
     Legislation to enable the Department of Justice to take legal 
     action against foreign nations for participating in oil 
     cartels that drive up oil prices globally and in the United 
     States. President Bush has threatened to veto this bill.
       Energy Market Manipulation Prevention--The new Farm Bill 
     increases Commodity Futures Trading Commission oversight 
     authority to detect and prevent manipulation of energy 
     prices. President Bush has vetoed this bill.

                              {time}  1100

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I would like to close, Madam 
Speaker, by simply saying that this resolution was a resolution to 
allow the International Soap Box Derby, an organization that's a 
nonprofit based in Akron, Ohio, to use the Capitol Grounds, and I fully 
support that.
  I want to call attention to one thing. In January of 2001, the month 
that this current President took office, gas was $1.47 a gallon. Today, 
the national average is $3.81, and I just want that for the record, 
with all the other comments that have been made on this particular bill 
for the Soap Box Derby.
  I urge the passage of the permission to allow the Soap Box Derby to 
use our Capitol Grounds.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I support House Concurrent Resolution 
311, to authorize the 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 9 through 16, 
to construct and operate their own soap box vehicles. The event is 
supported by hundreds of volunteers, and parents.
  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.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in agreeing to House Concurrent 
Resolution 311.
  Mrs. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. 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. 
311.
  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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