[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 169 (Thursday, November 20, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S15306-S15307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNITION OF THE EVOLUTION AND IMPORTANCE OF MOTORSPORTS

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 395, S. Res. 
253.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 253) to recognize the evolution and 
     importance of motorsports.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate, and that any 
statements relating to this resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 253) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              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 Rod 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

[[Page S15307]]

     who have helped create and build this great American pastime.

                          ____________________