[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E821]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SOUTHERN COLORADO SOAP BOX DERBY TRIBUTE

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                          HON. SCOTT R. TIPTON

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 12, 2018

  Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Southern 
Colorado Soap Box Derby and the individuals--participants, parents and 
organizers--who have made it an enriching community event to look 
forward to. On July 8, 1937, boys ages 9-12 entered cars they designed 
out of soap boxes, wood and metal for the very first Southern Colorado 
Soap Box Derby, which took place on West Street in Pueblo, Colorado. At 
the end of this event, the first place winner was sent to compete in 
the national championship in Akron, Ohio.
  One year later in 1938, the races stopped due to World War II. They 
began again almost 20 years later in 1962, this time taking place on 
Constitution Hill with 62 racers ages 9-15. With the help of 28 orphans 
from Sacred Heart Home and Youth Center and several convicts of the 
Colorado State Penitentiary, all of the derby cars were successfully 
built by race time. The revived competition led to some new additions, 
one being the implementation of a Derby Queen who was chosen from the 
list of names submitted by the racers. The very first Derby Queen was 
Sharon Galbraith of Pueblo.
  As the race evolved, by 1966 standard wheels and steering assemblies 
were required to give equal opportunity to all racers. Joplin Hill on 
Pueblo's east side was determined to be the best hill for gravity and 
the competition moved once again. Boys from communities including 
Pueblo, Denver, Boulder, Greeley and Loveland traveled to participate 
in the derby competition. Attendance steadily increased, ranging from a 
few hundred to 5,000 spectators.
  Unfortunately, three years later, the derby was once more on the 
brink of shutting down due to a lack of funding. Only one more race was 
scheduled to be held. This lack of funding threatened derby winner 
Steve Espinosa's chances of going to the national competition in Ohio. 
However, thanks to the generosity of the Pueblo Star Journal and radio 
station KKAM's manager Dwight Shaw, enough funds were donated to send 
Steve to Ohio.
  In 2006 after a long 37 years, the Southern Colorado Soap Box Derby 
started up again and has been held every year since. In that time, many 
positive changes have been instituted to be more inclusive, fair and 
safe: it's now open to both girls and boys ages 7-21; all derby cars 
have been built from a kit with strict adherence to all nuts and bolts; 
and contestants must qualify for one of three divisions to race. Since 
2006, the highlight of each race has been Officer Randy Belisle of the 
Colorado State Patrol using his radar gun to clock the speed of each 
racer as he or she comes down the hill. With speeds ranging from 28 to 
31 mph, Officer Belisle then issues each racer a ``ticket'' for 
speeding.
  Mr. Speaker, the Southern Colorado Soap Box Derby is a fun and 
important part of the culture and history of Pueblo, Colorado. 
Throughout the years, this great event has enhanced community 
engagement and served as a way to teach youth the skills of workmanship 
and perseverance to complete the task at hand. I look forward to 
watching the races and I wish all the contestants good luck.

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