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[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 9, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H4562-H4563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

AUTHORIZING 1995 SPECIAL OLYMPICS TORCH RELAY TO BE RUN THROUGH CAPITAL 
                                GROUNDS

  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the immediate 
consideration of the concurrent resolution (H.Con. Res. 64) authorizing 
the 1995 Special Olympics Torch Relay to be run through the Capitol 
Grounds.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  Mr. WISE. Reserving the right to object, Mr. Speaker, I do not plan 
to object, and I yield to the gentleman from Maryland for an 
explanation of his request.
  Mr. GILCHREST. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, the concurrent resolution before us would authorize the 
1995 Special Olympics Torch Relay to be run through the Capitol Grounds 
on May 19, 1995, as part of the journey of the special olympics torch 
to the Special Olympics Summer Games at Gallaudet University here in 
the District.
  Under the resolution, the Capitol Police Board will oversee the run 
and the Architect of the Capitol is responsible for establishing the 
conditions and making preparations necessary for the event.
  This is an annual event and one which Congress has approved several 
times before. This year approximately 60 local and Federal law 
enforcement agencies throughout the region will participate in this 26-
mile relay run 
[[Page H4563]] through the city in support of the Special Olympics. As 
we all know, this program gives handicapped children and adults the 
opportunity to participate in athletic events.
  Because of laws prohibiting open flames on Capitol Grounds, and 
because of safety concerns about activities taking place thereon, this 
resolution is necessary to permit the relay to occur. The resolution 
authorizes the Capitol Police Board to take necessary action to insure 
the safety of the Capitol, and the Architect of the Capitol may set 
forth conditions on participation in this event.
  Activities will begin on Capitol Hill where the U.S. Capitol Police 
will host opening ceremonies and thereafter over 1,000 law enforcement 
officials will relay the torch through the city to Gallaudet University 
where the D.C. Special Olympics Summer Games will be held.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a very worthwhile endeavor and I strongly 
encourage my colleagues to support the resolution which authorizes the 
event.
  Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleague in supporting use of the 
Capitol Grounds for the Special Olympics Torch Relay Run. As has been 
the custom, law enforcement officials from over 65 Federal and local 
agencies will relay the special olympics torch through the District to 
Gallaudet University to signal the beginning of the Special Olympics.
  The event is scheduled this year for May 19. Since this date is a 
week from this Friday, we need to act on this legislation 
expeditiously.
  This is a very worthwhile event which benefits not only the families 
and participants but also the volunteers and sponsors who contribute 
their time and efforts for handicapped children and adults.
  I ask my colleagues to join in supporting this resolution.
  Mr. MINETA. Mr. Speaker, the Special Olympics is a program which 
gives handicapped children and adults the opportunity to compete in 
sporting events and thereby enhance their self-esteem and self-image.
  The Torch Relay Run through the Capitol Grounds is an annual event 
which this committee has traditionally supported and I am very pleased 
once again to support the resolution authorizing use of the grounds for 
this very worthwhile endeavor.
  I commend both the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Gilchrest], chairman 
of the Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Economic Development, and 
the gentleman from West Virginia [Mr. Wise], the subcommittee's ranking 
Democrat for moving this resolution in a timely fashion. The event is 
scheduled for May 19.
  I join my colleagues in urging passage of this resolution.
  Mr. WISE. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 64

       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),

     SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF RUNNING OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS TORCH 
                   RELAY THROUGH CAPITOL GROUNDS.

       On May 19, 1995, or on such other date as the Speaker of 
     the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of 
     the Senate may jointly designate, the 1995 Special Olympics 
     Torch Relay may be run through the Capitol Grounds, as part 
     of the journey of the Special Olympics torch to the District 
     of Columbia Special Olympics summer games at Gallaudet 
     University in the District of Columbia.

     SEC. 2. RESPONSIBILITY OF CAPITOL POLICE BOARD.

       The Capitol Police Board shall take such action as may be 
     necessary to carry out section 1.

     SEC. 3. CONDITIONS RELATING TO PHYSICAL PREPARATIONS.

       The Architect of the Capitol may prescribe conditions for 
     physical preparations for the event authorized by section 1.

  The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________
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