[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 154 (Wednesday, October 29, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13520-S13521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 253--TO RECOGNIZE THE EVOLUTION AND IMPORTANCE OF 
                              MOTORSPORTS

  Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself, Mr. Kyl, and Mr. Nelson of Florida) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 253

       Whereas on March 26, 1903, an automotive race was held on a 
     beach in Volusia County, Florida, inaugurating 100 years of 
     motorsports;
       Whereas 100 years later, motorsports are the fastest 
     growing sports in the country;
       Whereas races occur at hundreds of motorsport facilities in 
     all 50 States;
       Whereas racing fans can enjoy a wide variety of motorsports 
     sanctioned by organizations that include Championship Auto 
     Racing Teams (CART), Grand American Road Racing (Grand Am), 
     Indy Racing League (IRL), International Motorsports 
     Association (IMSA), National Association for Stock Car 
     Automobile Racing (NASCAR), National Hot Road Association 
     (NHRA), Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), and United States 
     Auto Club (USAC);
       Whereas the research and development of vehicles used in 
     motorsports have directly contributed to improvements in 
     safety and technology for the automobiles and motor vehicles 
     used by hundreds of millions of Americans;
       Whereas 13,000,000 fans will attend NASCAR races alone in 
     2003;
       Whereas fans of all ages spend days at motorsport 
     facilities participating in a variety of interactive theme 
     and amusement activities surrounding races;
       Whereas motorsport facilities that provide these theme and 
     amusement activities contribute millions of dollars into 
     local economies;
       Whereas motorsports make a significant contribution to the 
     national economy; and
       Whereas tens of millions of people in the United States 
     enjoy the excitement and speed of motorsports every week: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the evolution of 
     motorsports and honors those who have helped create and build 
     this great American pastime.

  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I am submitting a resolution that 
recognizes the importance of motorsports in America and their century 
of evolution. 100 years ago last March, Ormond-Daytona Beach in Volusia 
County, Florida was the venue for the very first annual ``Winter 
Automobile Racing Meet.'' This race is now recognized as the genesis of 
organized auto racing, giving Ormond-Daytona Beach the title of 
``Birthplace of Speed.'' In the decades that have followed, motorsports 
have evolved from scattered impromptu events to the second most popular 
sport in the United States.

[[Page S13521]]

  Motorsports is now the fastest growing sport in the country, drawing 
millions of spectators and tens of millions of television viewers each 
year. For example, 13 million fans will attend NASCAR races alone in 
2003. Millions of additional fans will attend races sanctioned by the 
Automobile Racing Club of America, (ACRA); Championship Auto Racing 
Teams (CART); Indy Racing League (IRL); and the Sports Car Club of 
America (SCCA).
  Tracks are found throughout the country, with over 900 facilities in 
all 50 States hosting races sponsored by sanctioning bodies. These 
tracks make significant contributions to the economies of our 
communities, ranging from smaller facilities that host weekly racing 
series to the largest superspeedways such as Talladega and Daytona.
  Fans travel hundreds and sometimes thousands of miles to attend these 
races, frequently arriving several days ahead of the headline event. 
Once at the destination track, they enjoy a variety of interactive 
entertainment attractions, including racing simulators, concerts, 
memorabilia vendors, hospitality facilities, opportunities to meet 
drivers, tours of the track and garage areas, etc. Motorsports 
entertainment facilities are amusement parks, dedicated to the themes 
of speed and competition.
  My resolution today recognizes the importance and growth of 
motorsports. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, which 
honors the motorsports entertainment industry for its impressive 
contributions to the national economy and its ongoing evolution.

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