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

Madam Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentlewoman from Pennsylvania for yielding time, and I thank her for her leadership on bringing this bill to the floor. I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania as well on getting this bill to the floor early. The gentlewoman from Pennsylvania, I know, has worked with us on so many different matters. I thank her very much for making sure this happens.

Madam Speaker, for the 15th straight year, I am proud to sponsor the resolution allowing the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association to hold its annual race on the grounds of the United States Capitol. They could not

do so without this legislation. H. Con. Res. 86 authorizes the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board to work with the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association to ensure that all the necessary arrangements are made to conduct this race in complete compliance with the rules and regulations governing the use of the Capitol Grounds. The 64th annual Greater Washington Soap Box Derby will be held on Saturday, June 18.

Since 1991, the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association has held its race on the Capitol Grounds. Each year, it attracts over 50 racers, both boys and girls, ranging in age from 8 to 17. These young people work very hard to build their own gravity-powered race cars from a kit provided by the All-American Soap Box Derby program. What a great name, All-American Soap Box Derby, because it is, of course, true that like apple pie and motherhood, soap box derby rings so true to all Americans. Participating in the soap box derby provides contestants with an opportunity to learn basic building skills and a sense of accomplishment. Racers are divided into three divisions, stock, super stock and masters. The local winner of each division automatically qualifies to compete with racers from around the world in the All- American soap box derby. This year's race will be held on July 30 in Akron, Ohio, where every year since 1936, except during World War II, young people have gathered to race.

The festivities in Akron begin when the racers receive a police escort into town and conclude in the winner's circle with the awarding of scholarships and merchandise. In between, the racers and their families participate in a whirlwind of activities that leave them with enduring friendships and memories that I am sure will last a lifetime.

Madam Speaker, I am honored that all three of last year's winners of the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby were from my congressional district from the Washington competition: Haley Luense of Accokeek, Robbie Reuss of Waldorf and Robert McDaniel of Bowie. They were not winners of the national competition but they were participants and did well.

Madam Speaker, this event has been called and I quote, the greatest amateur racing event in the world. There may be a dispute on that from time to time, but it is a wonderful opportunity for our children from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia to venture into the world of engineering while experiencing the spirit of competition.

Therefore, Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join with me and the other original cosponsors, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran), the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton), the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen) in supporting this resolution. Again, I thank the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania for her leadership in assuring that this bill gets to the floor in a timely fashion so that we will be ready for June 18.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 86) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

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

House Concurrent Resolution 86 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 64th annual Greater Washington Soap Box Derby to take place on June 18, 2005.

Dating back to 1933, when a newspaper photographer witnessed three local boys racing engine-less cars down a neighborhood hill, the soap box derby has become an example of classic Americana. Over the years, the idea to hold a neighborhood race has grown from a local race where competitors raced anything with wheels to win a trophy to a nationwide extravaganza complete with three soap box divisions, official sponsors and the opportunity to travel and win college scholarships.

More importantly, however, is the work that goes into these soap box racers. Building a racer gives children valuable experience working with their hands and challenging their minds, learning about aerodynamics, craftsmanship and attention to detail. With three divisions and races all over the world, there is a place for everyone to try their hand at soap box building.

It took several years for this hobby to catch on in Washington, D.C., but after more than seven decades of racing, the tradition of the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby continues to encourage youth between the ages of 8 and 17 to develop their building, design and creativity skills. The winners of each division will represent the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area in the National Soap Box Derby to be held in Akron, Ohio, on July 30, 2005.

The races will take place on Constitution Avenue between Delaware Avenue and Third Street, Northwest, and will be free of charge to the public. The resolution also authorizes the Architect of the Capitol, the Capitol Police Board and the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association, the sponsor of the event, to negotiate the necessary arrangements for carrying out the event in complete compliance with the rules and regulations governing the use of the Capitol Grounds. The sponsor assumes responsibility for all expenses and liabilities related to the event. I support the resolution and urge my colleagues to join me in support.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to stand here on behalf of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure that has jurisdiction over this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the sponsor of this legislation who, each year, has offered this resolution and has been a strong supporter of the soap box derby.

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

I am delighted to join with the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran), the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Wynn) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen) in support of House Concurrent Resolution 86. In particular, I do want to acknowledge the efforts of the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) who has consistently been a champion for his constituents in ensuring that this event take place each year.

House Concurrent Resolution 86 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. On June 18, 2005, youngsters from the greater Washington area who are between 9 and 16 will test the principles of aerodynamics as they race down Constitution Avenue in their soap box vehicles that they have designed and constructed.

Madam 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 in the Nation. 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 House Concurrent Resolution 86 and urge support of this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), the ranking member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

(Mr. OBERSTAR asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to give voice to those who are silent: the many youth in our high schools and middle schools who are afraid to speak out of their place in our society because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex or questioning their sexual identity.

Today marks the 10th National Day of Silence in which we celebrate the diversity in our society, but acknowledge a deep-seated intolerance toward that diversity.

In my district, several efforts are being made to turn the intolerance into tolerance. The Watsonville YMCA has added a group called Latinas y Lesbianas y Aliadas. It is one of the few programs in the Nation dedicated to reaching out to the Spanish-speaking community, which has not historically had access to such support systems. I hope this becomes a national movement.

I am also proud to represent several Shoreline Middle School eighth graders who have been nominated for the Queer Youth Leadership Awards. These brave students have worked to end homophobia and discrimination, making their school or community a safer place for people of all walks of life. These students are joined by their families, but should not be alone in their efforts.

For this reason, I join my colleague Eliot Engel in cosponsoring H. Con. Res. 86 which memorializes the National Day of Silence and encourages each State or local jurisdiction to adopt laws to prohibit discrimination and harassment against persons of alternative sexual orientation.

Madam Speaker, the annual soap box derby is one of the most constructive activities that the Congress can support in behalf of young people and truly for families. As the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) has already explained and as the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent) has explained, constructing these vehicles brings together families, brings out the creative instincts of young people, gives them an opportunity to innovate and to produce a product in which they have ownership and which takes a great deal of time and which brings families together. Supporting the annual soap box derby, we are doing something truly constructive for families, for the Nation's capital young people and for young people across America.