Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for an event to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Million Man March.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 161) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for an event to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Million Man March.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on House Concurrent Resolution 161.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

This concurrent resolution takes care of a little bit of a housekeeping chore for our committee and also for the House. House Concurrent Resolution 161 is sponsored by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) and it authorizes the use of the Capitol grounds for the 10th anniversary commemoration event of the Million Man March. It is required under our rules that we pass such a resolution for use of the Capitol grounds.

The Million Man March, Inc., is the sponsor wishing to commemorate the march of 10 years ago and to highlight the Millions More Movement.

The current movement is intended to reenergize the efforts and missions of the Million Man March, which was first held in 1995. This event is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2005; and it will include leaders of the African American community. It is free of charge and also open to the public.

I also find it important to note that the sponsor assumes full responsibility for all expenses and liability incident to all activities associated with the event, and House Concurrent Resolution 161 does not authorize any expenditures.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Again, I want to commend the gentleman from Illinois for bringing this legislative initiative before the House. On behalf of Chairman Young of the full T&I committee and subcommittee chair Mr. Shuster, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, who chairs the Economic Development and Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee, I am pleased to present this legislation, and ask at this time for the House's consideration and adoption of the resolution.

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

Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

H. Con. Res. 161 authorizes the use of the Capitol grounds for the Millions More March scheduled for October 15, 2005. It will be on the 10th anniversary of the original Million Man March held here in Washington on the Mall in October of 1995. This event was one of the largest ever to be held on the Mall.

Similar to the original march, the themes and programs of this event will focus on unity, spiritual values, education and economic development. It is going to be extraordinarily timely this year in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and some of the conditions we saw in New Orleans.

It will be very relevant to this march, and hopefully the administration and others will be paying attention to the issues and themes raised at this event. The organizers will work with the office of the Architect of the Capitol, the Capitol Police; and the event will be free and open to the public.

I support the resolution and urge its passage.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I would take this moment to express appreciation to Speaker Hastert, Chairman Young, Ranking Member Oberstar, and Mr. Mica and Mr. DeFazio for bringing this legislation to the floor and for having an opportunity for it to be heard and to be passed.

I rise in support of it. As a matter of fact, it commemorates the 10th-year anniversary of the Million Man March which took place some 10 years ago when more than a million, primarily African American, men came to Washington D.C. for a big national town hall meeting. That is what I really think of this as being, a national town hall meeting where people from all across the country will gather on the Mall and have a day of discussions talking about problems, needs, hopes, and aspirations. It is an opportunity for those who will gather to be heard to experience fellowship and camaraderie and also to project for the Nation to see and feel an understanding of their perception of need.

I want to thank all of those who helped to make this event possible. I appreciate the sensitivity and concern displayed.

Madam Speaker, H. Con. Res. 161 authorizes use of the Capitol Grounds for an event to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Million Man March which took place on October 16, 1995. The first Million Man March was one of the largest events to be held on the mall. The 1995 event themes were unity, atonement, and brotherhood.

The anniversary event will rededicate participants to the goals and ideals of the original event. A few of the themes of this year's event include unity, spiritual values, education, and economic development.

Like all events that use the Capitol Grounds, this event is free and open to the public. The event sponsors will work with the Architect of the Capitol to resolve all issues of event preparation. This far reaching national program will include a march on October 15th and religious services on Sunday, October 16.

I support the resolution and urge its passage.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 161, which was received from the House.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the concurrent resolution be printed in the Record.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.