[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 144 (Thursday, November 3, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S12351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF HULMAN-GEORGE FAMILY OWNERSHIP OF 
                    THE INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

 Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I am pleased to rise today to 
recognize the important leadership of the Hulman-George family 
throughout their 60 years of stewardship of the Indianapolis Motor 
Speedway. I am honored to have this opportunity to congratulate them on 
reaching this signal milestone on November 14, 2005.
  The Hulman-George family members have been remarkable champions of 
Indianapolis and the State of Indiana through their hosting of what 
many consider to be the greatest spectacle in racing, the Indianapolis 
500. In recent years, they have also hosted the Brickyard 400 and the 
United States Grand Prix, remarkable events that bring people from 
around the world to Indianapolis to experience true Hoosier 
hospitality.
  I have especially enjoyed a close relationship with the Hulman-George 
family, which began when I was Mayor of Indianapolis. My wife, Char, 
and I would take our four boys to the track for activities throughout 
the month of May.
  On May 16, 1981, I first had the opportunity to participate in 
another great tradition at the Speedway when we gathered to celebrate 
the annual Armed Forces Induction Ceremony. This event came about 
because recruitment was low and members of our community were looking 
for a creative way to celebrate the decision of Hoosier men and women 
to serve our country in the Armed Forces. To address this dilemma, the 
Hulman-George family offered the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a 
backdrop for an enlistment ceremony. Anyone who enlisted during the 
month of May would be a part of the Tony Hulman Squadron and would fly 
away from the infield to basic training. While the ceremony has evolved 
over the ensuing years, it remains special to me because it offers an 
excellent opportunity to celebrate the patriotism of so many talented 
and dedicated young Hoosiers.
  As race fans gather in Indianapolis to cheer their favorite drivers 
on to victory, I am hopeful that they will take a moment to reflect 
upon the years of dedicated leadership that the Hulman-George family 
has provided in the Indianapolis community, leadership that has helped 
to make Indianapolis the motorsports capitol of world.
  Like so many of my fellow Hoosiers, I am grateful that the Hulman-
George family continues to call Indiana its home.

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