[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 38 (Tuesday, March 19, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2263-S2264]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  AUTHORIZING THE SPECIALTY EQUIPMENT MARKET ASSOCIATION TO STAGE AN 
                      EVENT ON THE CAPITOL GROUNDS

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, I want to speak briefly with regard 
Senate Concurrent Resolution 44, a resolution which I and several 
colleagues submitted last week, that would reauthorize the Specialty 
Equipment Market Association, in consultation with the Architect of the 
Capitol, to stage an event on the Capitol Grounds on May 15.
  As a motor enthusiast, I believe it is important to recognize the 
contributions the motor sports industry has made to improve the 
quality, performance and, more importantly, the safety of most all 
motor vehicles on the road today. Certainly, the American public has 
demonstrated a continuing love affair with motor vehicles since their 
introduction over 100 years ago in this country, enjoying vehicles for 
transportation and recreational endeavors, ranging from racing to show 
competitions, and as the way of creating individual expression that has 
been extremely popular in the last 100 years.
  In addition, research and development connected with motor sports 
competition and specialty applications has provided consumers with such 
life-saving safety mechanisms, including seatbelts, airbags, and many 
other important innovations.
  As a result, the motor sports industry has grown tremendously over 
the years, where today hundreds of thousands of amateur and 
professional participants enjoy motor sports competitions each and 
every year throughout

[[Page S2264]]

the United States, attracting attendance in excess of 14 million 
people, making the motor sports industry one of the most widely 
attended of all U.S. sports. And equally important, as an economic 
engine, sales of motor vehicle performance and appearance enhancement 
parts and accessories annually exceeds $15 billion, and employ nearly 
500,000 people.
  Mr. President, Senate Concurrent Resolution 44 seeks to authorize the 
Specialty Equipment Market Association, in consultation with the 
Architect of the Capitol and the Capitol Police Board, to conduct an 
event to showcase innovative automotive technology and motor sports 
vehicles on the Grounds of the Capitol on May 15 of this year.
  I hope my colleagues will share in the recognition of the motor 
sports industry and support Senate Concurrent Resolution 44.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  Mr. COATS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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