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

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia for her steadfast support of this event and her extraordinary representation of the District of Columbia. I thank the gentleman from North Carolina for his consideration in bringing this forward.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution. It authorizes an event that I am proud to support every year: the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

The soapbox derby brings people together from across the Greater Washington metro area, encouraging kids, families, and communities to compete in a fun and educational race.

Mr. Speaker, this is my 30th year introducing this resolution. I am pleased to say that every year it has passed unanimously.

This is the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby's 80th year. The race will be held on June 17 and will see soapbox racers, ages 8 to 17, compete in three divisions: Stock, Super Stock, and Masters. The winner from each division will have a chance to compete at the national All- American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio.

Soapbox derbies have been called the greatest amateur racing event in the world. Whether that is absolute fact, it is very close. They have become a staple of the American experience all over our country. They teach sportsmanship, engineering, manufacturing, leadership skills, and so many other skills, as well.

Oftentimes, racers are sponsored by local civic groups, service organizations, and police or fire departments with members coming out to cheer their local hometown participants.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to sponsor this resolution today that will authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds, which is essential for this soapbox derby to proceed.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud that several Greater Washington Soap Box Derby champions have come from Maryland's Fifth District, including the winners from 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2018. I am sure all of you are saying, well, it is no surprise that Hoyer supports this resolution on an annual basis. His guys do pretty well. Our racers even won a national championship in 2007 and 2008.

I am excited to see how the Fifth District racers do this year, and to see their colorful and creative soapbox designs.

Mr. Speaker, I hope every Member will join me in supporting this worthy event. I invite them to join me in cheering on the Greater Washington soapbox racers on June 17.

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

Mr. Speaker, today we are considering H. Con. Res. 43, to authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Hoyer for introducing this resolution. The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby is an annual competitive event that encourages children, ages 9 through 16, to construct and race their own soapbox vehicles on the Capitol Grounds.

This event has become a great tradition in the District of Columbia metropolitan area over the last few decades. It provides a terrific opportunity for children to appreciate the work necessary to build the vehicles and enjoy the thrill of competition.

The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby organizers will work with the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police to ensure the appropriate rules and regulations are in place and that the event remains free to the public.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 43, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Box Derby is a time-honored tradition that provides an opportunity to promote fair and honest competition amongst the children in the Greater

Washington area.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 43) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H. Con. Res. 43.

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

Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 43 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby later this month.

Every year, we authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for this event.

The national All-American Soap Box Derby has been running since 1934 and provides opportunities for young people to demonstrate their innovation and ingenuity through a family-friendly competition-- something we need much more of this day and age.

The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby is one of many local races that will qualify winning competitors for participation in the national Soap Box Derby .

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 43, which authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

The All-American Soap Box Derby, which first began in 1934, is the contest of the year in Ohio's 13th Congressional District, the Birthplace of Champions.

Through ingenuity, teamwork, and determination, more than 350 qualifiers from across the globe make their way to the Derby Downs track in Akron, Ohio, for the Soap Box Derby World Championship, supported by more than 1,000 volunteers and 10,000 spectators every year.

The Soap Box Derby supports education and leadership development for youth across the 13th District and the Nation. The competition empowers young people, who build their own gravity-powered and STEAM-driven cars, to learn about the value of STEM and prepare them to succeed in the future.

Again, I am proud to cosponsor this legislation and so glad to see such an important event to our community in the Nation's Capital. I look forward to welcoming everyone to Ohio's 13th District for the world championship in July. Best of luck to all the competitors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 43, Authorizing the Use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association shall be permitted to sponsor a public event, soap box derby races, on the Capitol Grounds.

The event shall be held on June 17, 2023, or on another designated date, whereby the sponsor shall assume full responsibility for all expenses and liabilities associated with the event.

The event shall be free of admission charge and open to the public; and arranged not to interfere with the needs of Congress.

The Soap Box Derby is a youth soapbox car racing program which has been run in the United States since 1933.

It is also an event we support in my district by way of the Greater Houston Soap Box Derby (GHSBD) which is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit, Texas corporation organized for charitable and educational purposes.

I support the expansion of this event and all those who are dedicated to having a race program that is safe, fun, fair, professionally run, and that reaches out to all youth.