Letting the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Use the Capitol Grounds (H. Con. Res. 19)
Do you support or oppose this bill?
What is H. Con. Res. 19?
(Updated September 7, 2019)
This concurrent resolution would allow the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Association to sponsor free and public soap box derby races on the Capitol grounds for an event on June 15, 2019. Congressional approval is required for using the Capitol grounds.
Argument in favor
Soap box derbies are fun, family-friendly events and D.C.'s race has traditionally been held on Capitol Hill.
Argument opposed
The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby can happen some place else other than the Capitol Grounds.
Impact
Soapbox derby racers and their dreams of making it big; the general public; tourists; and the Capitol grounds.
Cost of H. Con. Res. 19
A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.
Additional Info
“This is our seventy-seventh year – our region’s Soap Box Derby will be a fun and educational event that brings families together. It will be held on Saturday, June 16, as I’m sure has already been said, and see soap-box racers from ages eight to seventeen compete in three divisions: stock, super stock, and masters. The winner from each one of these divisions, Mr. Speaker, will go on to compete at the National All-American Soap Box Derby held each year in Akron, Ohio. I was very proud of last year’s winners from Maryland’s Fifth District: eleven-year-olds Ian Jameson in the stock class and Ryan Jameson in super stock. These twin brothers are from Hollywood, Maryland, the county in which I live, which is the most southern county in the state. They worked hard on their soap box racers, as did all the other young people who participated. Ian Jameson went on to win fourth place at the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron. Maryland’s Fifth District has been home to several Greater Washington Soap Box Derby champions in recent years, including the winners from 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Is there any doubt in any Members’ minds as to why I am so supportive of the soap box derby? We do very well in the derby. Our racers even won national championships in 2007 and 2008. I feel confident that the Fifth District racers will continue to shine this year. Soap box derbies have been called the ‘greatest amateur racing event in the world.’ They have a long tradition in our country, and many Americans carry fond memories of building soap box racers with their parents or other relatives when they were young. So... I am pleased to rise in strong support of this all-American activity that will happen right here on the nation’s Capitol Hill.”
"Enterprising young builders will careen down Constitution Avenue in home-assembled vehicles this summer, pending a green light from the House and Senate ... Scores of children and their families typically attend the event, which blocks off traffic around the Hill to make way for the wild driving. The winners go on to compete at the national final in Akron, Ohio. Soap box racing has a long history in Washington, beginning in 1938. The annual event has been moved around the city from Eastern Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue before finding a home on Capitol Hill."
-
Sponsoring Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) Statement in Favor (Video)
-
CBO Cost Estimate (Previous Version)
-
The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby Facebook Page
-
Roll Call
-
IndependentMotors.net
Countable Team
(Photo Credit: Flickr user Chris DiGiamo)
The Latest
-
🌎 Are You Ready To Take Action Against Climate Change?Scientists claim that last year "smashed" the record for the hottest year by a large margin , offering a "dramatic testimony" of read more... Environment
-
Should U.S. Implement a New Tax on AI to Fund Worker Benefits?The debate As technology advances, artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more integrated into our society. While leaders in AI read more... Artificial Intelligence
-
SCOTUS Hears Arguments of Abortion Pill Mifepristone CaseUpdated March 27, 2024, 12:30 p.m. EST On Tuesday, March 26, the Supreme Court heard arguments about the mifepristone case, read more... Women's Health
-
IT: ⛑️ It's American Red Cross Giving Day, and... How will you give back today?Welcome to Wednesday, March 27th, philanthropists and entrepreneurs... It's American Red Cross Giving Day - a time to ensure the read more...