Authorizing Use of Capitol Grounds for Greater Washington Soap Box Derby
Floor Speech
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Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 88) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows: H. Con. Res. 88
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), SECTION 1. USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR SOAP BOX DERBY RACES.
(a) In General.--The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association (in this resolution referred to as the ``sponsor'') shall be permitted to sponsor a public event, soap box derby races (in this resolution referred to as the ``event''), on the Capitol Grounds.
(b) Date of Event.--The event shall be held on June 18, 2022, or on such other date as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate jointly designate. SEC. 2. TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
(a) In General.--Under conditions to be prescribed by the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board, the event shall be--
(1) free of admission charge and open to the public; and
(2) arranged not to interfere with the needs of Congress.
(b) Expenses and Liabilities.--The sponsor shall assume full responsibility for all expenses and liabilities incident to all activities associated with the event. SEC. 3. EVENT PREPARATIONS.
Subject to the approval of the Architect of the Capitol, the sponsor is authorized to erect upon the Capitol Grounds such stage, sound amplification devices, and other related structures and equipment as may be required for the event. SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS.
The Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board are authorized to make such additional arrangements as may be required to carry out the event. SEC. 5. 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, with respect to the event.
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Mr. DeFAZIO. Con. Res. 88.
Mr. Speaker, today, we are again considering legislation, H. Con. Res. 88, to authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. I thank Majority Leader Hoyer for introducing this resolution on behalf of the Washington regional delegation.
The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby is an annual competitive event that encourages boys and girls, ages 9 through 16, to construct and race their own soap box vehicles.
On Capitol Hill, the event has become a great tradition in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area over the last quarter of a century. It provides a terrific opportunity for children to appreciate the workmanship necessary to build the vehicles and enjoy the thrill of competition.
The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby organizers will work with the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police to ensure appropriate rules and regulations are in place and the event remains free to the public and safe for all those involved.
Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation and urge my colleagues to join me.
Again, I thank the majority leader for bringing this legislation. I misspoke earlier. I thought it had only been a quarter of a century. It has been 29 years.
That is extraordinary, and this is a wonderful event for youth. It does bring a little something to Capitol Hill other than the day-to-day business, which can sometimes be suffocating.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation unanimously, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 88, ``authorizing the use of Capitol grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.''
This bill calls for support to hold the traditional Soap Box Derby association's free, public event on the Capitol grounds.
The Soap Box Derby international nonprofit organization, whose mission is to ``build knowledge and character, and to create meaningful experiences through collaboration and fair and honest competition,'' prides itself for allowing the race to take place on the most powerful hill in the world, Capitol Hill.
For 88 years, this event has been an opportunity in which the community comes out to support our youth. Annually, our youth get the opportunity to participate in the international nonprofit's biggest event.
Participants who compete range from ages 9-16 years old and come from the Greater Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. They could potentially have the honor of representing D.C. in the National Soap Box Derby competition.
This completely sponsored soap box derby event will be free of charge for the public and has a flexible date that will ensure it does not interfere with the needs of Congress.
In Texas, anytime we can celebrate our youth and their accomplishments, while also bringing the community together, it is an opportunity fellowship and relationships through friendly competition.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Con. Res. 88, to host the traditional, Greater Washington Soap Box Derby on our nation's Capitol grounds, an event that will bring the community together for a wonderful celebration.
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