Hoyer Floor Remarks in Support of Resolution Allowing for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby on Capitol Grounds
WASHINGTON, DC - This evening, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) spoke on the House Floor of in support of his resolution to allow the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby to occur on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. The annual event, which will take place on June 18, includes youth from across the Washington Metropolitan area, including many from the Fifth District. Congressman Hoyer has sponsored a resolution in support of the race for twenty-nine years. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery and a link to the video:
Click here to watch the video.
"Madam Speaker, I'm honored to bring this Resolution to the Floor and urge its passage. It authorizes an event that I'm proud to support every year, though this will be the first time it is held since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That event is the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby, one of my favorite events of the year. The Soap Box Derby brings families together from across the Greater Washington Metro area, encouraging kids and their adult family members or community members to compete in a fun and educational race. This is my twenty-ninth year sponsoring the Soap Box Derby resolution. And this is the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby's seventy-ninth year. The race will be held on June 18 and see soapbox racers from ages eight to seventeen 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, which is held each year in Akron, Ohio. Much of the fun, however, takes place even before the race begins. Participants spend weeks, sometimes months, building and testing their racers at home – a wonderful bonding experience for kids, parents, grandparents, other family members, and those engaged in mentorship in their communities. Soap Box Derbies have been called the ‘greatest amateur racing event in the world.'
"They have become a staple of the American experience and an important piece of americana. They teach sportsmanship, engineering, manufacturing, and leadership. Oftentimes, racers are sponsored by local civic groups, service organizations, and police or fire departments, with Members coming out to cheer on their hometown participants. I'm proud to sponsor this resolution today that will authorize the use of the grounds of the U.S. Capitol for this year's Soap Box Derby. I want to thank my cosponsors, members of the region's Congressional delegation – Reps. Don Beyer, David Trone, Gerry Connolly, Anthony brown, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Jennifer Wexton, and Jamie Raskin.
"I'm also proud that several Greater Washington soapbox derby champions have come from Maryland's Fifth District in recent years, including the winners from 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2018. Our racers even won National Championships in 2007 and 2008. I'm excited to see how Fifth District racers do this year and am looking forward to seeing their colorful and creative soapbox designs.
"I want to thank the organizers of the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby as well as Chairman DeFazio and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for their support. And I hope every Member will join in supporting this resolution. I invite them to join me in cheering on the Greater Washington area's soapbox racers on June 18."