Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

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. 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.

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

Mr. Speaker, on August 23, 2004, one of my constituents, Mrs. Kathy Griswold-McKean 53, tragically and unexpectedly lost her life in a single-car accident. Kathy was a true patriot, devoted to both this country and the lives of people in general.

Kathy had a positive outlook that was simply infectious. It emanated from her and welled up in others bringing out the best in them. She and her husband, Andy McKean, were together for 16 years and rarely did I ever see one without the other. Together they created the Complete Cycle Center through an Environmental Protection Agency grant where they showcased recycled products.

In addition to educating others about recycling, they worked on the Earning by Learning program to promote children to read. They also worked on various political campaigns, including my own, with the same unending energy and enthusiasm that they put into every endeavor. Kathy could be counted on to bring out the best in everyone around her.

Kathy and her husband were the driving force behind legislation in the 106th Congress which I sponsored, and more than a dozen other members cosponsored. The resolution, H. Con. Res. 376, Recognized Liberty Day.

Andy and Kathy sponsored an education project, which began March 16, 1998, of the same name. That initiative encouraged school children to learn more about the founding documents of our great nation, and with the passage of that resolution, their efforts were officially recognized by the United States Congress.

Together, Kathy and Andy promoted Liberty Day in order to preserve and pass on the great tradition of America's history, freedom and way of life. Kathy's passing, while on an errand to deliver mail to supporters of this project was a tragedy, but her commitment to the cause will be remembered and honored by many.

Kathy is survived by her Husband, her parents and her brother.

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. 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.

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. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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.