89–009 

111TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 111–471 

USE OF CAPITOL GROUNDS FOR SOAP BOX DERBY 

RACES 

MAY 4, 2010.—Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed 

Mr. OBERSTAR, from the Committee on Transportation and 

Infrastructure, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H. Con. Res. 247] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom 

was referred the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 247) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington 

Soap Box Derby, having considered the same, report favorably 

thereon without amendment and recommend that the concurrent 

resolution be agreed to. 

PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION

H. Con. Res. 247 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for 

the 2010 Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

The concurrent resolution authorizes the use of the Capitol 

Grounds for the 2010 Greater Washington Soap Box Derby on June 

19, 2010. 

The All-American Soap Box Derby is one of the largest competitive youth events in the country. Since 1934, the Soap Box Derby 

organizing committee has run a national program for children ages 

eight through 17. The All-American Derby youth program is administered by the International Soap Box Derby, Inc., an Akron, 

Ohio-based non-profit corporation. There are three racing divisions 

based on age in most local races and at the All-American competition. Generally, the local races are sponsored by civic organizations, 

local businesses, and other service organizations that establish and 

promote the races. World Championship finals are held each August at Derby Downs in Akron. 


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Derby Downs is a 954-foot racing track that has been specifically 

designed for Soap Box races. Participants are required to participate in local races closest to their residence. Local champions are 

then eligible to participate in the All American Soap Box World 

Championship in Akron. Participants also have the opportunity to 

participate in Rally Races in different regions to accumulate 

enough points to participate in the All American Soap Box World 

Championship. The ideals of the Soap Box Derby program have not 

changed since its beginning. The goals 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 2010 Greater Washington Soap Box Derby will take place on 

Constitution Avenue between Delaware Avenue and Second Street, 

N.W., in Washington, D.C., on June 19, 2010. The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby has been held on the U.S. Capitol Grounds 

since 1991. It has attracted more than 60 youth participants each 

year. The D.C. Metropolitan race winners from each of the Stock, 

Super Stock, and Masters Division Soap Box Derby races will compete in Akron, for scholarships and other prizes in the All-American Soap Box Derby. 

SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION

Section 1. Use of Capitol Grounds for soap box derby races 

Section 1 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the 

Greater Washington Soap Box Derby on June 19, 2010, or such 

other date as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 

Senate Committee on Rules and Administration may jointly designate. 

Sec. 2. Terms and conditions 

Section 2 requires that the event be free of charge and arranged 

not to interfere with the needs of Congress, under conditions prescribed by the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police 

Board. This section also maintains that the sponsor will also be responsible for all expenses and liabilities. 

Sec. 3. Event preparations 

Section 3 allows the Architect of the Capitol to prescribe conditions for the physical preparations for the event. 

Sec. 4. Additional arrangements 

Section 4 authorizes the Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol 

Police Board to make any additional arrangements that may be required to carry out the event. 

Sec. 5. Enforcement of restrictions 

Section 5 requires the Capitol Police Board to enforce all applicable restrictions on the use of the Capitol Grounds, including those 

relating to sales, advertisements, displays, and solicitations. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

In the 111th Congress, on February 4, 2009, Majority Leader 

Steny H. Hoyer introduced H. Con. Res. 37. On February 12, 2009, 


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the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open 

session and ordered the concurrent resolution reported favorably to 

the House by voice vote with a quorum present. On March 10, 

2009, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure reported the concurrent resolution. H. Rept. 111–32. On March 10, 

2009, the House agreed to H. Con. Res. 39 by voice vote under suspension of the Rules of the House of Representatives. On March 12, 

2009, the Senate agreed to H. Con. Res. 37 by Unanimous Consent. 

On March 4, 2010, Majority Leader Hoyer introduced H. Con. 

Res. 247. On April 29, 2010, the Committee on Transportation and 

Infrastructure met in open session to consider H. Con. Res. 247. 

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure ordered the 

concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 247, reported favorably to the 

House by voice vote with a quorum present. 

RECORD VOTES

Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires each committee report to include the total number of 

votes cast for and against on each recorded vote on a motion to report and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter, and 

the names of those members voting for and against. There were no 

recorded votes taken in connection with consideration of H. Con. 

Res. 247 or ordering the concurrent resolution reported. A motion 

to order H. Con. Res. 247 reported favorably to the House was 

agreed to by voice vote with a quorum present. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee’s oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in this report. 

COST OF LEGISLATION

Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives does not apply where a cost estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 has been timely 

submitted prior to the filing of the report and is included in the report. Such a cost estimate is included in this report. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and section 308(a) of 

the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee references 

the report of the Congressional Budget Office included in the report. 

2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the performance goals 

and objectives of this legislation are to authorize the use of the 

Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. 

3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has received the 

enclosed cost estimate for H. Con. Res. 247 from the Director of the 

Congressional Budget Office: 


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U.S. CONGRESS, CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, Washington, DC, April 30, 2010. 

Hon. JAMES L. OBERSTAR, 

Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 

House of Representatives, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H. Con. Res. 247, a concurrent 

resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Matthew Pickford. 

Sincerely, 

DOUGLAS W. ELMENDORF, Director. 

Enclosure. 

H. Con. Res. 247—A concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the 

Capitol grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby 

H. Con. Res. 247 would authorize the Greater Washington Soap 

Box Derby Association to use the Capitol grounds on June 19, 

2010, or on such a date as the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration may 

jointly designate. Because it would require the association to assume responsibility for all expenses and liabilities associated with 

the event, CBO estimates that passage of H. Con. Res. 247 would 

result in no significant cost to the federal government. Enacting 

the legislation would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply. 

The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Matthew Pickford. 

This estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant 

Director for Budget Analysis. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI

Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of 

Representatives, the Committee is required to include a list of any 

congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules 

of the House of Representatives. H. Con. Res. 247 does not contain 

any earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits under 

clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of rule XXI. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, committee reports on a bill or joint resolution 

of a public character shall include a statement citing the specific 

powers granted to the Congress in the Constitution to enact the 

measure. The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 

finds that Congress has the authority to enact this measure pursuant to its powers granted under article I, section 8 of the Constitution. 


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FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office 

pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

(P.L. 104–4). 

PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION

Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires the 

report of any Committee on a bill or joint resolution to include a 

statement on the extent to which the bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local, or tribal law. The Committee states 

that H. Con. Res. 247 does not preempt any state, local, or tribal 

law. 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this legislation. 

APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to the 

terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or 

accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (P.L. 104–1). 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

H. Con. Res. 247 makes no changes in existing law. 

Æ 


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