[House Report 111-471]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
111th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 111-471
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USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR SOAP BOX DERBY RACES
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May 4, 2010.--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. 247]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom
was referred the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 247)
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
H. Con. Res. 247 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds
for the 2010 Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
The concurrent resolution authorizes the use of the Capitol
Grounds for the 2010 Greater Washington Soap Box Derby on June
19, 2010.
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 eight through 17. The All-American Derby youth
program is administered by the International Soap Box Derby,
Inc., an Akron, Ohio-based non-profit corporation. There are
three racing divisions based on age in most local races and at
the All-American competition. Generally, the local races are
sponsored by civic organizations, local businesses, and other
service organizations that establish and promote the races.
World Championship finals are held each August at Derby Downs
in Akron.
Derby Downs is a 954-foot racing track that has been
specifically designed for Soap Box races. Participants are
required to participate in local races closest to their
residence. Local champions are then eligible to participate in
the All American Soap Box World Championship in Akron.
Participants also have the opportunity to participate in Rally
Races in different regions to accumulate enough points to
participate in the All American Soap Box World Championship.
The ideals of the Soap Box Derby program have not changed since
its beginning. The goals are to teach children and young adults
the basic skills of craftsmanship, the spirit of competition,
and the perseverance to continue a project once it has begun.
The 2010 Greater Washington Soap Box Derby will take place
on Constitution Avenue between Delaware Avenue and Second
Street, N.W., in Washington, D.C., on June 19, 2010. 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 each year. The D.C. Metropolitan race winners from
each of the Stock, Super Stock, and Masters Division Soap Box
Derby races will compete in Akron, for scholarships and other
prizes in the All-American Soap Box Derby.
SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION
Section 1. Use of Capitol Grounds for soap box derby races
Section 1 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the
Greater Washington Soap Box Derby on June 19, 2010, or such
other date as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and
the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration may jointly
designate.
Sec. 2. Terms and conditions
Section 2 requires that the event be free of charge and
arranged not to interfere with the needs of Congress, under
conditions prescribed by the Architect of the Capitol and the
Capitol Police Board. This section also maintains that the
sponsor will also be responsible for all expenses and
liabilities.
Sec. 3. Event preparations
Section 3 allows the Architect of the Capitol to prescribe
conditions for the physical preparations for the event.
Sec. 4. Additional arrangements
Section 4 authorizes the Architect of the Capitol and the
Capitol Police Board to make any additional arrangements that
may be required to carry out the event.
Sec. 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
In the 111th Congress, on February 4, 2009, Majority Leader
Steny H. Hoyer introduced H. Con. Res. 37. On February 12,
2009, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in
open session and ordered the concurrent resolution reported
favorably to the House by voice vote with a quorum present. On
March 10, 2009, the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure reported the concurrent resolution. H. Rept.
111-32. On March 10, 2009, the House agreed to H. Con. Res. 39
by voice vote under suspension of the Rules of the House of
Representatives. On March 12, 2009, the Senate agreed to H.
Con. Res. 37 by Unanimous Consent.
On March 4, 2010, Majority Leader Hoyer introduced H. Con.
Res. 247. On April 29, 2010, the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure met in open session to consider H. Con. Res.
247. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure ordered
the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 247, reported favorably
to the House by voice vote with a quorum present.
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 consideration of H. Con. Res. 247 or ordering the
concurrent resolution reported. A motion to order H. Con. Res.
247 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
section 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 objectives 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. 247 from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, April 30, 2010.
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. 247, a
concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol
grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Matthew
Pickford.
Sincerely,
Douglas W. Elmendorf,
Director.
Enclosure.
H. Con. Res. 247--A concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the
Capitol grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby
H. Con. Res. 247 would authorize the Greater Washington
Soap Box Derby Association to use the Capitol grounds on June
19, 2010, or on such a date as the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the Senate Committee on Rules and
Administration may jointly designate. Because it would require
the association to assume responsibility for all expenses and
liabilities associated with the event, CBO estimates that
passage of H. Con. Res. 247 would result in no significant cost
to the federal government. Enacting the legislation would not
affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go
procedures would not apply.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Matthew
Pickford. This estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy
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, the Committee is required to include a list
of any congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited
tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of
rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. H. Con.
Res. 247 does not contain any earmarks, limited tax benefits,
or limited tariff benefits under clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of
rule XXI.
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 (P.L. 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. 247 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 (P.L. 104-1).
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED
H. Con. Res. 247 makes no changes in existing law.