[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 17, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H1383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CONGRATULATIONS TO AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SPORTS MEDICINE ON NEW 
                      HEADQUARTERS IN INDIANAPOLIS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Indiana (Ms. Carson) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the American 
College of Sports Medicine on the completion of a vast new addition to 
its headquarters building in Indianapolis.
  In the early 1980s, Indianapolis' corporate leaders and city 
officials advanced a visionary plan to make the city the amateur sports 
capital of the Nation.
  We have had immense support from the corporate community in 
Indianapolis. On December 15, 1983, Mayor William Hudnut broke ground 
for the ACSM National Center, which has become one of the anchor 
projects of the Canal area redevelopment. He referred to it as ``A 
cornerstone in the Amateur Sports Capital.''
  Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the American College of Sports 
Medicine on the completion of a vast new addition so that it would be 
able to advance the immense amount of work that it has done in terms of 
sports medicine.
  The new wing will accommodate a video-conferencing center and more 
office space for the growing staff at the national headquarters of the 
world's premier sports medicine and exercise science organization.
  The ACSM is a worldwide leader in the advancement of sports medicine, 
exercise science, physical activity, and health. The ACSM works closely 
with diverse organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention, the American Heart Association, and the Department of 
Health and Human Services. The ACSM is an association of people and 
professions sharing a commitment to explore the use of medicine and 
exercise to make life healthier for all Americans. ACSM is an 
organization founded in 1954 and committed to the diagnosis, treatment, 
and prevention of sports-related injuries and to the promotion of 
physical activity. ACSM's mission is to promote and integrate 
scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports 
medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical 
performance, fitness, health, and quality of life.

  ACSM is the largest sports medicine and exercise science association 
in the world. Its more than 17,500 members worldwide work in a variety 
of medical specialties, allied health professions, and scientific 
disciplines. College members are divided into the following three 
categories: medicine, basic and applied science, and education and 
allied health.
  The ACSM Board of Trustees was approached with a proposal to relocate 
its National Center from Madison, Wisconsin to Indianapolis. The 
Trustees agreed to move the American College of Sports Medicine to 
Indianapolis, lending the organization's considerable prestige to the 
city's growing reputation as the home of amateur sports in the United 
States.
  In October of 1984, the building was ready for occupancy, thanks to 
major contributions from Lilly Endowment, Krannert Charitable Trust, 
City of Indianapolis, William B. Stokely Jr. Foundation, Eli Lilly 
Company Foundation, The Quaker Oats Company, and Nautilus, along with 
those from generous ACSM members.
  In 1998, the College broke ground for a much-needed expansion to its 
Canal headquarters, dramatically increasing its programs and 
activities. The expansion, finished in January 1999, now houses a 
state-of-the-art videoconferencing center and several other amenities 
that support its worldwide reputation as the ``gold standard'' for 
sports medicine and exercise science. A 35-person staff and $6 million 
budget round out its Indianapolis presence.
  ACSM's important work and innovations have improved the quality of 
life for Hoosiers and all Americans. I congratulate the organization on 
all of its accomplishments and for the significant contributions it 
continues to make to the Indianapolis community.

                          ____________________