[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 9, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E970]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     TRIBUTE TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY

                                 ______


                             HON. MIKE WARD

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 9, 1995
  Mr. WARD. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to pay tribute to one of 
America's most historic sporting events, the Kentucky Derby.
  Last Saturday, the first Saturday in May, the Kentucky Derby, also 
known as the greatest 2 minutes in sports, made its 121st running at 
Churchill Downs in Louisville. The Kentucky Derby, dating back to 1875, 
is rich in American history and intense sporting drama. It may strike 
many as excessive that so many events, including a fireworks display, a 
parade, a boat race, a hot air balloon race, and many others, precede 
an event that only lasts 2 minutes; however, there is no other sporting 
event like the Kentucky Derby.
  The Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown, is the mark by 
which all other races are judged and this year, as in previous years, 
it will set the stage for a possible Triple Crown winner.
  Over 130,000 people are estimated to have attended this year's 
running of the Kentucky Derby with nearly 50 million people estimated 
to have watched the televised coverage, making the Kentucky Derby one 
of the most watched sporting events in the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to pay tribute and draw attention to a 
truly remarkable program which was in place at last Saturday's running 
of the Kentucky Derby.
  The program, coordinated by the Party Smart Organization, is a 
designated driver program at Churchill Downs in Louisville, which asked 
spectators to sign a pledge that they would be a designated driver. 
Designated drivers, individuals who pledge not to drink alcohol so that 
they may drive others home safely, have for years played an invaluable 
role at such sporting functions. It is through their restraint and 
leadership that many lives have been saved.
  Designated driver programs throughout the United States, at parks 
such as the Astrodome, Candlestick Park, the Meadowlands, and Yankee 
Stadium, have reminded millions of people of the importance of 
responsible drinking and have reminded people of the millions of lives 
that are placed in jeopardy by drinking and driving.
  When I attended the Kentucky Derby this year, I left Churchill Downs 
feeling more secure that my drive home would be safer due in large part 
to the efforts of these designated driver programs.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to support and participate in their 
local designated driver programs. Together, we can help end the 
thousands of senseless deaths caused each year by drunk driving.


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