[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 8]
[House]
[Pages 11984-11985]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




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

  Mr. RIBBLE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 44) 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. 44

       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 27, 2013, 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 
     28th Annual District of Columbia Special Olympics Law 
     Enforcement Torch Run (in this resolution referred to as

[[Page 11985]]

     the ``event'') may be run through the Capitol Grounds to 
     carry the Special Olympics torch to honor local Special 
     Olympics athletes.

     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 
Wisconsin (Mr. Ribble) and the gentlewoman from the District of 
Columbia (Ms. Norton) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin.


                             General Leave

  Mr. RIBBLE. 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 House Concurrent Resolution 44.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. RIBBLE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H. Con. Res. 44 would authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for 
the District of Columbia's Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run 
that will be held on September 27, 2013.
  I would first like to thank Ranking Member Norton, of the 
Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency 
Management, for introducing this resolution, as well as to thank 
Chairman Barletta of the subcommittee for cosponsoring it.
  As in years past, the torch run will be launched from the West 
Terrace of the U.S. Capitol and will continue through the Capitol 
Grounds as part of the journey to the 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 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 40 nations.
  I 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.
  I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 44, which authorizes 
the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 28th Annual Law Enforcement 
Torch Run, which benefits the District of Columbia Special Olympics.
  The torch relay event has traditionally been associated with the 
summer D.C. Special Olympics, which took place this past May. Each 
year, approximately 2,500 Special Olympians compete in over a dozen 
events here in the Nation's Capital, and more than 1 million children 
and adults with special needs participate in Special Olympic programs 
worldwide. The Law Enforcement Torch Run has become a truly popular 
event on Capitol Hill and is an integral part of the fundraising 
efforts for the D.C. Special Olympics. Nearly 1,500 Law Enforcement 
Torch Run participants are expected to assemble at the West Terrace of 
the U.S. Capitol Building on September 27, 2013, for a 2.3-mile run to 
Fort McNair, which culminates in a picnic and a celebration for all 
participants.
  The Special Olympics of D.C. provides year-round sports and fitness 
training, health screenings and athletic competition to all children 
and adults with intellectual disabilities, and it touches thousands of 
families in D.C. and the region. Participants are involved in 
basketball, bowling, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, volleyball, 
and many other sports programs that address various levels of ability. 
Best of all, the different programs offered to Special Olympics 
athletes are always free of charge and are partially supported by the 
event that we would authorize today.
  I am truly pleased to support such a meritorious organization and to 
support the passage of this resolution, and I ask my colleagues to do 
the same.
  I thank the gentleman for his cooperation in bringing this bill.
  As I have no further requests for time, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. RIBBLE. This is a terrific event. It's one that every Member of 
Congress should support, and I encourage the adoption of it.
  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 Wisconsin (Mr. Ribble) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 44.
  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. RIBBLE. 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 motion will be postponed.

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