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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady for yielding me this time, and I thank Mr. Shuster for helping bring this bill to the floor and thank Ms. Corrine Brown from Florida, who does such an extraordinary job.

Mr. Speaker, I rise as a proud sponsor of this resolution which I have worked on for a long period of time. It is a facet of Capitol Hill that we have to pass a resolution to approve and allow the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby to hold the 69th Annual Greater Washington Soap Box Derby on the Capitol grounds on June 19.

Since 1938, when Norman Rocca beat out 223 other racers to win the inaugural Washington race, soapbox derby racing has had a long history in our Nation's Capital. Over nearly seven decades, thousands of the region's young people have come to Washington to take their place in a great race and a great tradition. Whether they were racing down New Hampshire Avenue, or at the current site coasting down Capitol Hill, the event's essential ingredients have remained the same: homemade, gravity-powered cars and the spirit of competition. America's soapbox derbies have rightly been called ``the greatest amateur racing event in the world.''

The boys and girls who participate, many of them sponsored by community

groups, police departments or fire departments, don't just gain value experience in building and engineering; they learn about the value of hard work and fair competition.

As the Representative from Maryland's Fifth Congressional District, I am also proud to point out that my district has been the home to a string of soapbox derby champions.

In 2007, Kacie Rader, a neighbor of mine from Mechanicsville, Maryland, won the Greater Washington race and went on to become the first Marylander to win the national soapbox derby title, beating out 550 other local champions.

In 2008, Courtney Rayle, also from Mechanicsville, won the Greater Washington race and also went on to win at the national race in Akron, Ohio.

And finally, last year, her brother Justin Rayle, made it three Greater Washington wins in a row for Maryland's Fifth Congressional District. This is not fixed, I want to tell you. These are just great kids, and we are excited about the soapbox derby.

June's race will be the continuation of a proud tradition for our country and its Capital, and I thank Chairwoman Brown and Ranking Member Shuster for their support and help in bringing this resolution to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 247) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include additional material on House Concurrent Resolution 247.

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

I am delighted to support House Concurrent Resolution 247, which authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of Mr. Hoyer, who has been such a great and consistent champion for his constituents for this event.

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 Police and the Architect of the Capitol.

I support Concurrent Resolution 247 and urge passage of the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to point out that the Soap Box Derby, of which Mr. Hoyer has been the sponsor for a number of years, is an event that has been put on for a number of years, and the purpose is to prepare young people from age 8 to 17.

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time we have remaining?

I yield as much time as the leader may consume.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 247, introduced by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), which authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

This annual event encourages all boys and girls, ages 8 through 17, to construct and operate their own soap box vehicles. The goals of this event are to teach children and young adults the basic skills of craftsmanship, the spirit of competition, and the perseverance to continue a project once it has begun. The event is supported by hundreds of volunteers and parents. In the past, the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby has produced winners who went on to the national finals. Many volunteers donate considerable time supporting the event, and providing families with a fun-filled day, which has become a tradition in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

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 urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Con. Res. 247.

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

Mr. Speaker, as the gentlelady stated, this resolution authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 69th Annual Washington Soap Box Derby in June. This event occurs annually on the Capitol Grounds, and I know that the majority leader, Mr. Hoyer, has been a tremendous supporter of this event every year.

The Soap Box Derby allows children to really showcase their efforts, their dedication, their work, and their creativity as they compete for these trophies. The winners of each division are qualified to compete in the National Soap Box Derby, which occurs in Akron, Ohio.

I support passage of this resolution and urge my colleagues to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the majority leader for his leadership on this, and set the record straight. I said you have supported this every year; I meant every year you have been in Congress. You haven't been around for 69 years.

I yield back the balance of my time.

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 247 which was received from the House and is at the desk.

I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related to the measure be printed in the Record.