[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 63 (Monday, May 7, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H2298-H2299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1650
  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 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 118) 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. 118

       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 June 1, 2012, 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 27th 
     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

[[Page H2299]]

may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 118.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H. Con. Res. 118 would authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for 
the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run 
that will be held on June 1, 2012.
  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 27th 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 to increase the 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 many Law Enforcement Torch Runs throughout the 
country and across 35 nations.
  I urge my colleagues to support the passage of this resolution, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  This year marks the 27th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit 
the District of Columbia Special Olympics. The torch relay event is a 
traditional event organized by law enforcement personnel for the D.C. 
Special Olympics, which takes place at Catholic University later this 
month. This event has become a popular event on Capitol Hill and is an 
integral part of the fundraising efforts for the D.C. Special Olympics, 
raising thousands of funds through their own sales of t-shirts. Torch 
Run participants will assemble at the U.S. Capitol Building on June 1, 
2012, for opening ceremonies, and then they will proceed to run or walk 
a 2.3-mile course to Fort McNair.
  Each year, approximately 2,500 Special Olympians compete in over a 
dozen events in the District of Columbia, and more than 1 million 
children and adults with special needs participate in Special Olympics 
programs worldwide. The goal of the competitions is to allow mentally 
challenged individuals to participate in events where they are accepted 
and respected. Confidence and self-esteem are the building blocks for 
the Special Olympic Games. The Special Olympics of the District of 
Columbia have been operating for 43 years and have been providing 
services to a wide swath of D.C. residents. All programs offered to 
Special Olympics' athletes are always free of charge.
  I am truly and personally pleased to support such a worthwhile 
organization, and I urge Members of the House to support House 
Concurrent Resolution 118 as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 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. 118.
  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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