[House Report 110-675]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
110th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 110-675
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AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR THE GREATER WASHINGTON
SOAP BOX DERBY
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June 3, 2008.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed
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Mr. Oberstar, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H. Con. Res. 311]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom
was referred the concurrent resolution (H. Con Res. 311)
authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater
Washington Soap Box Derby, having considered the same, report
favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the
concurrent resolution be agreed to.
PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION
The purpose of House Concurrent Resolution 311 is to
authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 2008 Greater
Washington Soap Box Derby.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
The All-American Soap Box Derby is one of the largest
competitive youth events in the country. Since 1934, the Soap
Box Derby organizing committee has run a national program for
children ages 9 through 17. The World Championship finals are
held each August at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio. There are three
racing divisions based on age in most locals and at the All-
American competition.
The 2008 Greater Washington Soap Box Derby will take place
on Constitution Avenue between Delaware Avenue and Third
Street, NW, on June 22, 2008. The Greater Washington Soap Box
Derby has been held on the U.S. Capitol Grounds since 1991. It
has attracted more than 60 youth participants in each of those
years. The D.C. Metropolitan race winners from each of the
Stock, Super Stock, and Masters Division Soap Box Derby races
throughout the world will compete in Akron, Ohio, for
scholarships and other prizes in the All-American Soap Box
Derby. In 2007, for the first time in the 66-year history of
the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby a local participant won
the Masters title in the national competition in Akron, Ohio.
The All-American Derby youth program is administered by
International Soap Box Derby, Inc., an Akron-based, non-profit
corporation.
SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION
Section 1. Authorization of Soap Box Derby races on Capitol Grounds
Section 1 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby on June 21, 2008, or such
other date as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and
the Senate Rules and Administration Committee may jointly
designate.
Section 2. Conditions
Section 2 requires the U.S. Capitol Police and the
Architect of the Capitol to take such actions as may be
necessary to keep the event open to the public, free of charge,
and from disturbing the needs of Congress. This section also
maintains that the sponsor will also be responsible for all
expenses and liabilities.
Section 3. Structures and equipment
Section 3 authorizes the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby
Association to erect upon the Capitol Grounds, subject to the
approval of the Architect of the Capitol, stage, sound
amplification devices, and other related structures and
equipment.
Section 4. Additional arrangements
Section 4 authorizes the Architect of the Capitol and the
Capitol Police Board to make additional arrangements to carry
out the event.
Section 5. Enforcement of restrictions
Section 5 requires the Capitol Police Board to enforce all
applicable restrictions on the use of the Capitol Grounds,
including those relating to sales, advertisements, displays,
and solicitations.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
On March 6, 2008, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer introduced
H. Con. Res. 311.
On May 15, 2008, the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure met in open session to consider H. Con. Res.
311. The Committee agreed to the resolution and ordered it
favorably reported to the House by voice vote.
RECORD VOTES
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires each committee report to include the
total number of votes cast for and against on each recorded
vote on a motion to report and on any amendment offered to the
measure or matter, and the names of those members voting for
and against. There were no recorded votes taken in connection
with ordering H. Con. Res. 311 reported. A motion to order
House Concurrent Resolution 311 reported favorably to the House
was agreed to by voice vote with a quorum present.
COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are
reflected in this report.
COST OF LEGISLATION
Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives does not apply where a cost estimate and
comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974 has been timely submitted prior to the filing of the
report and is included in the report. Such a cost estimate is
included in this report.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII
1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and
clause 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the
Committee references the report of the Congressional Budget
Office included in the report.
2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
performance goals and objective of this legislation are to
authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater
Washington Soap Box Derby.
3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the
Committee has received the enclosed cost estimate for H. Con.
Res. 311 from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office
Washington, DC, May 15, 2008.
Hon. James L. Oberstar,
Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H. Con. Res. 311,
authorizing the use of the Capitol grounds for the Greater
Washington Soap Box Derby.
If you wish further details on these estimates, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Matthew
Pickford.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Sunshine
(For Peter R. Orszag, Director).
Enclosure.
H. Con. Res. 311--Authorizing the use of the Capitol grounds for the
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby
H. Con. Res. 311 would authorize the Greater Washington
Soap Box Derby Association to use the Capitol grounds on June
21, 2008, or on such other date as the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the Senate Committee on Rules and
Administration may jointly designate. Because it would require
that the association assume responsibility for all expenses and
liabilities associated with the event, CBO estimates that
adopting H. Con. Res. 311 would result in no significant cost
to the federal government.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Matthew
Pickford. The estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine,
Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI
Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, H. Con. Res. 311, does not contain any
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff
benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI
of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, committee reports on a bill or joint
resolution of a public character shall include a statement
citing the specific powers granted to the Congress in the
Constitution to enact the measure. The Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure finds that Congress has the
authority to enact this measure pursuant to its powers granted
under article I, section 8 of the Constitution.
FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act (Public Law 104-4).
PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION
Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974
requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint
resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the
bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local,
or tribal law. The Committee states that H. Con. Res. 311 does
not preempt any state, local, or tribal law.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this
legislation.
APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law
104-1).
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
H. Con. Res. 311 makes no changes in existing law.