[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 7]
[House]
[Pages 9646-9647]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 
               SPECIAL OLYMPICS LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN

  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 309) 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. 309

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

     SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR D.C. 
                   SPECIAL OLYMPICS LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN.

       On June 6, 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, the 2008 
     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.

[[Page 9647]]



     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 gentlewoman from 
Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Hawaii.


                             General Leave

  Ms. HIRONO. 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. 309.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Hawaii?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  House Concurrent Resolution 309 authorizes the use of the Capitol 
grounds for the District of Columbia's Special Olympics Law Enforcement 
Torch Run. I thank Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton for bringing 
this measure to the floor.
  The Capitol Police, along with the D.C. Special Olympics, will 
participate in the torch run to be held on June 6, 2008. The D.C. 
Special Olympics will work closely with the Capitol Police and the 
Architect of the Capitol to make sure that the event is in full 
compliance with the rules and regulations governing the use of Capitol 
grounds. Consistent with all events on Capitol Hill, the event will be 
free and open to the public.
  The Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics is run 
nationwide by law enforcement officers, leading up to each State's or 
National Special Olympics summer games. As a matter of fact, I have 
participated a number of times in Hawaii's Law Enforcement Torch Run.
  Each year, nearly 50 local and Federal law enforcement agencies in 
Washington, D.C. participate to show their support of the D.C. Special 
Olympics. This torch relay event is a traditional part of the opening 
ceremonies for the Special Olympics which will take place at Catholic 
University in the District of Columbia. I urge my colleagues to join me 
in supporting this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  The resolution before us, House Concurrent Resolution 309, as has 
been pointed out, authorizes the use of the Capitol grounds for the 
District of Columbia's Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run to be 
held June 6, 2008. Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department 
will serve as cosponsors of this year's event.
  Special Olympics is an international organization dedicated to 
enriching the lives of children and adults with disabilities through 
athletics and through competition. The torch run is a special event 
that works with Federal and local police departments to run the Flame 
of Hope to Fort McNair, the site of the local Special Olympics games.
  The torch will be lit in a ceremony recognizing supporters of the 
Special Olympics on the west steps of the United States Capitol. Nearly 
1,200 police officers, Special Olympics athletes, and members of the 
public will be present for the ceremony torch lighting and the start of 
the run. Once lit, the torch will be carried by police officers to Fort 
McNair.
  More than 26 police departments will join together to support the 
Special Olympics by raising money, carrying the torch, or running in 
support of the Special Olympics. Support of Congress has helped this 
special event hold an opening ceremony on the Capitol grounds that 
works with both Federal and local police departments to support the 
Special Olympics. This year's event will be the 23rd held on the 
Capitol grounds. I encourage my colleagues to join the law enforcement 
community in supporting the Special Olympics and in joining me in 
supporting the resolution before us.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 
309, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of 
Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.
  The District of Columbia Special Olympics is the premier event in 
this region that highlights the athletic accomplishments of children 
and young adults with disabilities. We all owe a special thanks to the 
tenacity to Eunice Kennedy Shriver and her family for exceptional work 
on behalf of persons with disabilities.
  Law enforcement officers, who are part of the extensive volunteer 
network that support the games, carry the Olympic torch across the 
Capitol Grounds through the District of Columbia to Catholic 
University. The event will be open to the public and free of charge. 
The event sponsors will work with the Capitol Police Board to ensure 
all rules and regulations are followed.
  These games are a wonderful expression of inclusiveness and a 
confirmation of individual contribution. I enthusiastically support 
this resolution and the very worthwhile endeavor of the Special 
Olympics.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in agreeing to the resolution.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 309.
  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. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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