[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 7185]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      SENATE RESOLUTION 475--RECOGNIZING THE 100TH RUNNING OF THE 
                       INDIANAPOLIS 500 MILE RACE

  Mr. COATS (for himself and Mr. Donnelly) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                               S. Res 475

       Whereas founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Carl G. 
     Fisher, Arthur C. Newby, Frank H. Wheeler, and James A. 
     Allison pooled their resources in 1909 to build the 
     Indianapolis Motor Speedway 6 miles from downtown 
     Indianapolis as a testing ground to support the growing 
     automotive industry of Indiana, paving the way for motorsport 
     innovation;
       Whereas, in 1909, the track of the Indianapolis Motor 
     Speedway was surfaced with 3,200,000 paving bricks at a cost 
     of $400,000;
       Whereas, on May 30, 1911, the first Indianapolis 500 Mile 
     Race took place and was won by Ray Harroun in 6 hours and 42 
     minutes at an average speed of 74.6 miles per hour;
       Whereas, as of 2016, the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race has 
     occurred on every Memorial Day weekend since 1911, except 
     during the involvement of the United States in World Wars I 
     and II from 1917 through 1918 and 1942 through 1945, 
     respectively;
       Whereas, in 1936, Louis Meyer, after his third win of the 
     Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, established the iconic tradition 
     of drinking milk in the winner's circle;
       Whereas Tony Hulman purchased the Indianapolis Motor 
     Speedway in 1945, restoring the track and restarting the 
     Indianapolis 500 Mile Race after its cancellation during 
     World War II;
       Whereas the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race is the largest 
     single day sporting event in the world, with more than 
     300,000 fans packing the grandstands and the expansive 
     infield of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on race day;
       Whereas the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race has played an 
     integral part in the culture and heritage of the City of 
     Indianapolis, the State of Indiana, and motorsports and the 
     automotive industry in the United States;
       Whereas the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been a showcase 
     of speed, human achievement, and the continuous pursuit of 
     glory, and is a source of great pride for all citizens of 
     Indiana;
       Whereas Tony Kanaan set the record for the fastest 
     Indianapolis 500 Mile Race, finishing it in slightly longer 
     than 2 hours and 40 minutes at an average speed of 187.4 
     miles per hour;
       Whereas, in 2016, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and 
     racing fans around the world prepare to celebrate the 
     greatest spectacle in racing for the 100th time: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the 100th running of 
     the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.

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