Authorizing the Use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby

AUTHORIZING THE USE OF THE CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR THE GREATER WASHINGTON SOAP BOX DERBY -- (House of Representatives - April 28, 2004)

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 376) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

The Clerk read as follows:

H. Con. Res. 376

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

SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF SOAP BOX DERBY RACES ON CAPITOL GROUNDS.

The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association (in this resolution referred to as the "Association") shall be permitted to sponsor a public event, soap box derby races, on the Capitol Grounds on June 19, 2004, 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.

SEC. 2. CONDITIONS.

The event to be carried out under this resolution shall be free of admission charge to the public and arranged not to interfere with the needs of Congress, under conditions to be prescribed by the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board; except that the Association shall assume full responsibility for all expenses and liabilities incident to all activities associated with the event.

SEC. 3. STRUCTURES AND EQUIPMENT.

For the purposes of this resolution, the Association is authorized to erect upon the Capitol Grounds, subject to the approval of the Architect of the Capitol, such stage, sound amplification devices, and other related structures and equipment as may be required for the event to be carried out under this resolution.

SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS.

The Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board are authorized to make any such additional arrangements that may be required to carry out the event under this resolution.

SEC. 5. ENFORCEMENT OF RESTRICTIONS.

The Capitol Police Board shall provide for enforcement of the restrictions contained in section 5104© 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, with respect to the event to be carried out under this resolution.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson) each will control 20 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 376 introduced, once again, by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer)
authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soapbox Derby on June 19, 2004.

In sort of a parenthetical, I would not only commend the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) but last year when we had similar legislation introduced by the gentleman, he was detained by his other very important duties as the minority whip; and the gentleman from Maine (Mr. Michaud) and I spent about 20 minutes on the floor thinking about great things on the soapbox derby to breathlessly await his arrival. I am grateful that the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) is with us today.

These races, which will be held on Constitution Avenue, allow young people from the Greater Washington Metropolitan area to compete with one another for the honor of representing their district at the National Soap Box Derby competition to be held this summer in the city of Akron in the great State of Ohio.

Participants, who range in age from 9 to 16, compete in three different divisions, based upon experience. In preparing for these competitions, participants must construct their vehicle, with limited assistance, from stock supplies. The Soap Box Derby teaches the value of hard work, dedication, and ingenuity, and shows them the joy of a job well done.

This race has been held for over 50 years in the Washington area. I am pleased that once again we can offer our support for this worthwhile event.

The sponsors of this event have agreed to work with the Capitol Police to ensure the enforcement of all applicable regulations, and the event will be free of charge and open to the public.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), my esteemed colleague and the esteemed whip for the minority side of the aisle.

Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), for yielding. I also want to thank my good friend from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), the chairman of this subcommittee, for last year trying to give me the opportunity to speak on my bill. I remember that and recall that well. I thank him very much.

I want to thank my good friend, the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), the ranking Democrat, and the extraordinary staff assistant that he has on this subcommittee, Susan Brita.

Mr. Speaker, for the past 12 years I have sponsored a resolution for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby to hold its race on the Capitol Grounds along Constitution Avenue. Once again, I am proud to have sponsored such a resolution to permit the 63rd running of the Soap Box Derby races scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 19.

The resolution authorizes the Architect of the Capitol, the Capitol Police Board, and the Greater Washington Soap Box
Derby Association to negotiate the necessary arrangements for conducting the race in complete compliance with the rules and regulations governing the use of the Capitol Grounds.

Therefore, I request my colleagues to join with me and other co-sponsors, including the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran), and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen), in supporting this resolution.

The Soap Box Derby has been held in the Washington D.C. area since 1991. It has attracted over 50 participants each of these years ranging in age from 9 to 16. The participants work very hard, as all of us know, to prepare their own race cars from the kit provided by the All American Soap Box Derby program.

The contestants are given an opportunity to learn basic skills of workmanship and to enhance their building expertise while creating their own style car. Winners of these levels of the local race become eligible to compete in the National Soap Box Derby races held in the district of the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) in Akron.

Prior to the national races, they attend a week of camps in Derbytown where they make lasting friendships while participating in a variety of sporting activities. The national races are held in July and give the participants a chance to win scholarships and merchandise prizes.

Mr. Speaker, this event has been called, and I quote, "the greatest amateur racing event in the world." I am not sure that it is the greatest, but it is certainly one of the very best and certainly gives to young people the values of self-reliance, of enterprise, of innovation, and of competition.

This is a wonderful opportunity for our children from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia to venture into the world of science while experiencing the spirit of competition.

I again thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson) for their leadership in bringing this to the floor.

Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I associate myself with the remarks made by the author of the bill, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. Speaker, I ask for passage of this bill.

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Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to support, along with Ms. NORTON, Mr. HOYER, Mr. WOLF, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. WYNN, and Mr. VAN HOLLEN, H. Con. Res. 376, and acknowledge the efforts of Mr. HOYER, who has been such a great and consistent champion for his constituents for this event.

H. Con. Res. 376 authorizes use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. Youngsters age 9 through 16 construct and operate their own soap box vehicles. On June 19, 2004 youngsters from the greater Washington area will race down Constitution Avenue to test the principles of aerodynamics in hand-designed and -constructed soap box vehicles.

Mr. Speaker, many hundreds of volunteers donate considerable time supporting the event and providing families with a fun-filled day, which is quickly becoming a tradition in the Washington, D.C. area. The event has grown in popularity, and Washington is now known as one of the outstanding race cities.

Consistent with all events using the Capitol Grounds, this event is open to the public and free of charge. The organizers will work with the Capitol Hill Police and the Office of the Architect.
I support H. Con. Res. 376 and urge passage of this resolution.

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 376, which authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. I especially want to mention the diligence and dedication of Mr. HOYER, the resolution's annual sponsor.

This annual event encourages all boys and girls, ages 9 through 16, to construct and operate their own soap box vehicles. The principles of aerodynamics are combined with fun and excitement for all participants and their families in the Greater Washington area.

The Washington event has grown in size and has become one of the best-attended events in the country. In the past, the Washington event has produced winners who went on to the National Soap Box Derby finals.
The derby organizers will work with the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police to ensure the appropriate rules and regulations are in place.

I support this resolution and urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 376.

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Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LaTOURETTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of our time.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 376.

The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was agreed to.

A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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