Hoyer Congratulates 5th District Winners Of The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby

WASHINGTON - Congressman Steny Hoyer today congratulated the winners of the 63rd race of the "Greater Washington Soap Box Derby" which took place on the grounds of the United States Capitol in June. All three winners reside in the 5th Congressional District. Haley Luense of Accokeek was the winner of the Stock Division race, Robert "Robbie" Reuss of Waldorf was the winner of the Super Stock Division race, and Robert McDaniel of Bowie won the Masters Division ace. All three will compete in the national competition held in Akron, Ohio on July 31st.

"I am very proud of Haley, Robbie, and Robert, three outstanding young people," said Congressman Hoyer.

"For the past twelve years, I have sponsored a resolution so that the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby can hold its race on the capitol grounds along Constitution Avenue. The students who participate in this race not only learn valuable lessons about competition, but acquire valuable engineering and construction skills when building their own race car.

"We are fortunate to have such talented and fierce competitors in the 5th Congressional District of Maryland. I wish each of them success as they head to Akron, Ohio for the national competition," added Hoyer.

The Soap Box Derby has been held in the Washington, DC area since 1991. It has attracted over 50 participants each of those years, ranging in age from 9 to 16. The participants work very hard to prepare their own racecars from a kit provided by the All-American Soap Box Derby Program. The contestants are given an opportunity to learn basic skills of workmanship and to enhance their building expertise while creating their own basic style car.

Prior to the 67th running of the Greatest Amateur Racing Event in the World, The All-American Soap Box Derby, the nearly 500 champions and their families will attend a weeklong celebration in "Derbytown," where they will be able to participate in a variety of sporting activities and have a chance to win scholarships and merchandise prizes.

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