[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 28, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1666-S1667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             DALE EARNHARDT

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to an American 
legend, a workingman who rose from his roots to the very top of his 
profession, indeed, to the top of the world, the racing world, that is. 
And that is why we loved him.
  As all legends, he was the best at what he did. He was the greatest 
race car driver in the history of NASCAR and perhaps the greatest 
driver who ever lived.
  With an uncanny feel for his car in a take-no-prisoners attitude on 
the track, he brought millions and millions of fans into the sport. 
That is why we loved him.
  He was the people's champ, the last cowboy, iron head, the 
intimidator, but most of all and most appealing about him was that he 
was funny and warm. He was like us. He was human. He was accessible. 
And that is why we loved him.
  But Dale Earnhardt was much, much more. When a young fan was dying of 
cancer, Dale spent 15 minutes on the phone with him and flatly rejected 
any attempt to publicize it. When a local pastor came around seeking 
donations to pave the parking lot in his church, Dale wrote out a check 
for the full amount on the condition that the pastor never reveal that 
all the money came from one person, and especially not who that person 
was. He routinely aided high school bands and church groups and once 
gave John Andretti a motor so he could qualify.
  When the wife of the doctor who tended drivers injured at the track 
had to travel across the country, leaving his pregnant wife behind, 
Dale called to make sure she was all right, and then sent two men with 
a pickup to the mountain retreat where they lived just in case she 
needed a fast trip to the hospital.
  His favorite charity, one that is familiar to many of us, was the 
Make a Wish Foundation--perhaps because he knew what true magic was all 
about.
  Describing the tough racer with the tender heart, one NASCAR 
publicist said: He'd do nothing for you on the track but anything for 
you off it. That is why we loved him.
  As we all know, Dale Earnhardt died a week from last Sunday on the 
final lap of the Daytona 500 doing what he did best--racing for 
victory. Victory alluded him but death did not. After 281 finishes in 
the top 5, 428 in the top 10, and 76 wins, including 9 at the world's 
fastest half mile in Bristol, TN, where, by the way, he was also Rookie 
of the

[[Page S1667]]

Year in 1979. Dale Earnhardt passed from living to legend. His death--
like his life--transcended his sport.

  To the hundreds, indeed, the thousands who knew him--and the millions 
who did not--he was John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, and James Dean all 
rolled into one. He was a husband, a father, a mentor, and a friend. 
But most of all, he was like America--caring, big-hearted, open, and 
free. And that is why we loved him.

                          ____________________