[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 69 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 69

 Recognizing and honoring Benny Parsons and expressing the condolences 
      of the House of Representatives to his family on his death.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 17, 2007

Mr. Hayes submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
              Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing and honoring Benny Parsons and expressing the condolences 
      of the House of Representatives to his family on his death.

Whereas Benny Parsons was born in Wilkes County, North Carolina, on July 12, 
        1941, and resided in the towns of Ellerbe and Concord, North Carolina in 
        the Eighth Congressional District;
Whereas Benny Parsons was the son of Hazel and the late Harold Parsons and the 
        brother of Steve, Phil and Patty;
Whereas Benny Parsons started racing in 1963 at the Mt. Clemens Speedway in Mt. 
        Clemens, Michigan;
Whereas Benny Parsons was the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) Rookie of 
        the Year in 1965 and ARCA Champion in 1968 and 1969;
Whereas Benny Parsons was the first ARCA Champion inducted into the 
        International Sports Hall of Fame;
Whereas Benny Parsons made his Winston Cup debut in 1970 and had his first 
        Winston Cup victory at South Boston Virginia Speedway in 1971;
Whereas Benny Parsons was Winston Cup Champion in 1973;
Whereas Benny Parsons had an extraordinary career as a National Association for 
        Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) driver, winning 21 races, including the 
        1975 Daytona 500;
Whereas in 1982 Benny Parsons qualified for the NASCAR Winston 500 at Talladega 
        Superspeedway at 200.175 miles per hour, the first NASCAR qualification 
        run over 200 mph;
Whereas in 1998 Benny Parsons was named one of the 50 Greatest Drivers in NASCAR 
        History;
Whereas after a successful career as a driver, Benny Parsons developed a 
        successful career in broadcasting, further expanding his sport through 
        his insight and commentary;
Whereas Benny Parsons was known for his kindness by all who had the good fortune 
        to meet him;
Whereas Benny Parsons was a loving husband to his wife Terri and an exceptional 
        father to his sons Kevin and Keith;
Whereas Benny Parsons was a man of strong faith and character; and
Whereas Benny Parsons passed away on January 16, 2007, prompting friend and 
        former competitor Darrell Waltrip to state that ``Benny Parsons was the 
        kindest, sweetest, most considerate person I have ever known. He was a 
        great champion, a great ambassador for our sport but more than that, he 
        was a great person. He exemplified that good guys can be winners too.'': 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes Benny Parsons as one of the greatest race 
        car drivers ever to participate in the sport of auto racing and 
        recognizes his many contributions to the Nation throughout his 
        lifetime;
            (2) honors Benny Parsons for transcending the sport of auto 
        racing to become a role model as both a talented competitor and 
        mentor and as a loving husband and father; and
            (3) extends its deepest condolences to the family of Benny 
        Parsons.
                                 <all>