Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the

concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 67) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 67.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

House Concurrent Resolution 67 would authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run that will be held on September 30 of this year.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Emergency Management, and Public Buildings for introducing this resolution. I am pleased to be a cosponsor.

As in years past, the torch run will be launched from the west terrace of the U.S. Capitol and continue through the Capitol Grounds as part of the journey to the 26th Annual D.C. Special Olympics summer games. The Special Olympics is an international organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults with disabilities through athletics and competition.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 when the police chief of Wichita, Kansas, saw an urgent need to raise funds for and increase awareness of the Special Olympics. The torch run was then quickly adopted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Today the torch run is the largest grassroots effort that raises funds and awareness for the Special Olympics program. The event in D.C. is one of the many law enforcement torch runs throughout the country and across 35 nations. This year about 50 different local and Federal law enforcement agencies are participating in the day's events, and more than 1,500 law enforcement officials will be honoring the Special Olympics athletes by completing the 2-mile run.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to return to Washington, DC last week, and so I was not present for rollcall votes held on September 7th, 8th, and 9th.

Had I been present I would have voted:

``Yea'' on Rollcall No. 692, on H. Con. Res. 67, authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

``No'' on Rollcall No. 693, on Ordering the Previous Question on H. Res. 392, the Rule providing for consideration of both H.R. 2218 and H.R. 1892, in order to allow Mr. Garamendi of California to offer his amendment to the Rule to give priority to eligible entities that plan to use materials made in America for the construction and renovation of school facilities.

``No'' on Rollcall No. 694, on H. Res. 392, the rule providing for consideration of both H.R. 2218--Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act and H.R. 1892--Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012.

``Yes'' on Rollcall No. 695, on the Hunter amendment to H.R. 1892, which would require the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Defense to establish a coordinated strategy to identify and counter network activity and operations in Pakistan and Afghanistan relating to the development and use of improvised explosive devices.

``Yes'' on Rollcall No. 696, on the Carney amendment to H.R. 1892, which would express the sense of Congress that railway transportation security has been and must continue to be a priority of the intelligence community in infrastructure threat assessment.

``Yes'' on Rollcall No. 697, the motion to recommit H.R. 1892, which would place priority on funding activities that counter the threat posed by transnational drug trafficking and the protection of U.S. borders from drug-related crime, violence and gang-related activity in connection with transnational drug trafficking.

``Yes'' on Rollcall No. 698, final passage of H.R. 1892, although I share the concern expressed by a number of my colleagues about the CIA's role in Libya.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, 2011 marks the 26th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the District of Columbia Special Olympics. The torch relay event is a traditional part of the opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics, which take place at Catholic University in the Nation's Capital in 2011. This event has become a popular event on Capitol Hill and is an integral part of the District of Columbia Special Olympics. Torch run participants will assemble at the U.S. Capitol Building on the west terrace steps for opening ceremonies and then proceed to run or walk a 2-mile course to Ft. McNair, also in the Nation's Capital.

Each year, approximately 2,500 Special Olympians compete in over a dozen events and more than a million children and adults with special needs participate in Special Olympics worldwide. The goal of the games is to help bring mentally challenged individuals into the larger society under conditions where they will be accepted and respected. Confidence and self-esteem are the building blocks for the Special Olympic games. The Special Olympics District of Columbia has been operating for 42 years, providing services to a wide swath of D.C. residents, and I am pleased to support such a worthy organization and event.

I also urge the House to support House Concurrent Resolution 67.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, due to weather related travel delays I was unable to be present for rollcall vote 692 on September 7, 2011. This vote was on H. Con. Res. 67, a resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Had I been present, I would have voted in favor of H. Con. Res. 67.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to consideration of H. Con. Res 67, which was received from the House and is at the desk.

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