Letter to Paul Irving, Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. House of Representative - Meet with Religious Organizations and the Community on Changing Road Races to Sundays

Letter

The Honorable Paul D. Irving

Sergeant at Arms

U.S. House of Representatives

Room H-124

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Mr. Irving:

I understand that the recent update to U.S. Capitol Police regulations includes a ban on road races through U.S. Capitol Grounds on Saturdays. Constituents, including the Downtown Cluster of Congregations, and road race organizers have reached out to my office with concerns about this change in policy, the lack of community involvement in the decision, and the potential impacts the change will have on the surrounding community. My staff recently met with Capitol Police Chief Kim Dine and Terry Lynch, Executive Director of the Downtown Cluster of Congregations, and while the U.S. Capitol Police enforces the regulations, it is the Capitol Police Board http://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-asks-capitol-police-board-to-meet-with-religious-organizationsthat issues the regulations.

It is likely that a ban on Saturday road races will result in organizations seeking permits for Sunday road races. Sunday races will directly interfere with D.C. residents attending religious services on Sundays and limit access to their congregations. Sunday races will also impact the routines of local D.C. residents who have become accustomed to Saturday races. In addition, a Saturday ban will disrupt the planning of those that have been hosting Saturday events, including the Rock "n' Roll Marathon, which snakes through the U.S. Capitol grounds every March. The routes, timing, and days of many events have been worked out over a number of years and have involved community participation with the goal of minimizing disruptions to D.C. residents and various other stakeholders, including the D.C. government. However, the Saturday ban did not have similar participation by the community.

I am asking that the Capitol Police Board reconsider this ban at its next meeting and, at the suggestion of my constituents, grandfather in those special events that have taken place on Saturdays in recent years as well as pending permit applications for Saturday road races. I would also appreciate it if a public meeting were held with affected D.C. residents, businesses, and organizations in advance of the next meeting of the Capitol Police Board. I ask that this request be given full and fair consideration consistent with applicable law, rules, and regulations.

Sincerely,

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