[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 131 (Wednesday, September 7, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H5942-H5943]
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. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the

[[Page H5943]]

concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 67) authorizing the use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law 
Enforcement Torch Run.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 67

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

     SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF USE OF THE CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR DC 
                   SPECIAL OLYMPICS LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN.

       On September 30, 2011, 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 
     26th Annual 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 
California (Mr. Denham) and the gentlewoman from the District of 
Columbia (Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. 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. 67.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DENHAM. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  House Concurrent Resolution 67 would authorize the use of the Capitol 
Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement 
Torch Run that will be held on September 30 of this year.
  I would like to take this opportunity to thank the gentlewoman from 
the District of Columbia and ranking member of the Subcommittee on 
Economic Development, Emergency Management, and Public Buildings for 
introducing this resolution. I am pleased to be a cosponsor.
  As in years past, the torch run will be launched from the west 
terrace of the U.S. Capitol and continue through the Capitol Grounds as 
part of the journey to the 26th Annual D.C. Special Olympics summer 
games. The Special Olympics is an international organization dedicated 
to enriching the lives of children and adults with disabilities through 
athletics and competition.
  The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 when the police chief of 
Wichita, Kansas, saw an urgent need to raise funds for and increase 
awareness of the Special Olympics. The torch run was then quickly 
adopted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
  Today the torch run is the largest grassroots effort that raises 
funds and awareness for the Special Olympics program. The event in D.C. 
is one of the many law enforcement torch runs throughout the country 
and across 35 nations. This year about 50 different local and Federal 
law enforcement agencies are participating in the day's events, and 
more than 1,500 law enforcement officials will be honoring the Special 
Olympics athletes by completing the 2-mile run.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, 2011 marks the 26th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to 
benefit the District of Columbia Special Olympics. The torch relay 
event is a traditional part of the opening ceremonies for the Special 
Olympics, which take place at Catholic University in the Nation's 
Capital in 2011. This event has become a popular event on Capitol Hill 
and is an integral part of the District of Columbia Special Olympics. 
Torch run participants will assemble at the U.S. Capitol Building on 
the west terrace steps for opening ceremonies and then proceed to run 
or walk a 2-mile course to Ft. McNair, also in the Nation's Capital.
  Each year, approximately 2,500 Special Olympians compete in over a 
dozen events and more than a million children and adults with special 
needs participate in Special Olympics worldwide. The goal of the games 
is to help bring mentally challenged individuals into the larger 
society under conditions where they will be accepted and respected. 
Confidence and self-esteem are the building blocks for the Special 
Olympic games. The Special Olympics District of Columbia has been 
operating for 42 years, providing services to a wide swath of D.C. 
residents, and I am pleased to support such a worthy organization and 
event.
  I also urge the House to support House Concurrent Resolution 67.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Denham) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 67.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. 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, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.

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