[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6546]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       KENTUCKY'S EQUINE INDUSTRY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Kentucky (Mr. Barr) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight an industry that is 
at the very center of the culture and economy of Kentucky's Sixth 
Congressional District, our signature equine industry.
  Central Kentucky is rightfully designated as the ``Horse Capital of 
the World,'' but this is a little title that we happily share with our 
neighbors in the city of Louisville on the first Saturday of May. As we 
celebrate the highlight of the thoroughbred racing season, the annual 
running of the Kentucky Derby, the Run for the Roses, I want to also 
acknowledge the men and women who dedicate their lives to our signature 
horse industry and the significant economic and jobs impact of this 
equine industry in Kentucky and beyond.
  When you think of the Kentucky Derby, the fastest 2 minutes in 
sports, you think of Aristides in the first running of the Derby in 
1875; you think of Orb, who won the Derby last year in 2013; and all of 
the great thoroughbred horses that came in between, from Sir Barton in 
1919, the first Triple Crown winner; Gallant Fox; Omaha; War Admiral, 
who was of course in that duel with Seabiscuit; Whirlaway; Count Fleet; 
then in modern times, Secretariat, the fastest running of the Kentucky 
Derby in 1973; Seattle Slew, a Triple Crown winner in 1977; and our 
last Triple Crown winner, Affirmed, in 1978.
  Despite the growing popularity of the thoroughbred racing industry 
and the vast number of our constituents that enjoy equine recreation, 
many Americans remain unaware of the significant impacts of the horse 
industry on our modern economy. The horse industry has a significant 
presence in at least 45 States and across many facets of the economy.
  According to a comprehensive study by the American Horse Council, the 
Nation's 9.2 million horses created $102 billion in annual economic 
activity. This economic engine supports 1.4 million full-time jobs. In 
our Commonwealth, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, it is estimated that 
80,000 to 100,000 people owe their jobs to our signature horse 
industry.
  While many outside the industry perceive thoroughbred racing perhaps 
as a sport only reserved for the rich and famous, we in Kentucky know 
differently. We know that that is simply not the case. Horse farms in 
my district range anywhere from small family operations with fewer than 
20 acres and only a half dozen mares to world-renowned breeding 
operations that attract thousands of mares from across the globe. 
Further, these farms support a myriad of related industries, such as 
agriculture, manufacturing, retail, tourism, just to name a few. I will 
invite anybody watching on C-SPAN to come to central Kentucky and visit 
some of our world-famous horse farms. Clearly, this is an industry that 
brings people with an affinity and passion for horses together, 
regardless of their socioeconomic background.
  Kentucky's horse industry is critical to our economy, which is why I 
have led of number of efforts in Congress to promote the equine 
industry. I serve as the chairman of the Congressional Horse Caucus. 
This caucus serves as a forum to provide Members of Congress the 
opportunity to learn about the impact of government policies that 
impact the equine industry and to collaborate with government leaders 
and industry stakeholders from across the country.
  I have introduced two bills impacting the tax treatment of horses. 
The first bill, H.R. 998, titled the Equine Tax Parity Act, would 
eliminate the 44-year-old tax provision that discourages investments in 
the equine industry and discriminates against equine assets.
  The second bill, H.R. 2212, the Race Horse Cost Recovery Act of 2013, 
would make permanent the 3-year depreciation schedule for horses, for 
race horses, which is critical to the health of Kentucky's horse racing 
industry as well as job growth and other horse-related industries.
  I plan to continue my efforts to advance these critical bills and 
urge any colleagues in the House to contact my office if they wish to 
join the Congressional Horse Caucus or support these important 
legislative and job-creating initiatives.
  In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, as we gather with friends and family this 
Saturday, the first Saturday in May, to watch the 140th running of the 
Kentucky Derby--again, the fastest 2 minutes in sports--let's not 
forget to honor all of the men and women who make this great sport 
possible. From the farm, to the sales, to the track and beyond, horses 
require the loving care of dedicated professionals at each step along 
the way. Without the efforts of the owners, the breeders, the trainers, 
the farriers, the grooms, the jockeys, the track operators, the 
employees, and all the people who support the horse industry, without 
their efforts, our great horse industry, our great pastime, simply 
would not be possible.

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