[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN HONOR OF 2017 NASCAR HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE RAYMOND PARKS

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                          HON. RICHARD HUDSON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 15, 2016

  Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and remember the late 
racing legend Raymond Parks upon his induction into the eighth class of 
the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
  If it weren't for men like Raymond Parks, there is no doubt the 
racing industry as we know it would not exist today. Mr. Parks was a 
pivotal player in both the development and expansion of NASCAR since 
its inception.
  After serving his country during WWII, Mr. Parks returned to the 
United States where he had begun a career as a stock-car owner before 
the war. In 1947, he attended a meeting in Daytona Beach, Florida that 
would change racing forever. Sitting around the table with other 
drivers and promoters, they agreed that racing could not grow without a 
formal organization to create rules and give their sport structure. As 
a result, NASCAR was born.
  From then on Raymond Parks remained an influential member in 
motorsports. Known for being the first successful team owner in racing, 
he won the first NACSCAR title ever in 1948. He would continue to work 
alongside his original team to dominate the sport until his retirement. 
Even though Mr. Parks passed away in 2010, his legacy lives on and will 
now be preserved forever in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
  This year's class was selected by a comprehensive voting panel that 
included track owners, retired competitors, industry leaders, members 
of the media, and a nationwide fan vote. In total, a group of five was 
chosen to join the ranks of other NASCAR legends in the Hall of Fame. 
Mr. Parks is extremely deserving of this honor and will now be 
enshrined forever for his contributions to the sport.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me today in honoring Raymond Parks, a 2017 
inductee of the NASCAR Hall of Fame

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