Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-05-21

RECOGNIZING VIRGINIA AMERICAN REVOLUTION 250TH COMMISSION AND LAND SPEED RECORD HOLDER

Context

On 2026-05-21, Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING VIRGINIA AMERICAN REVOLUTION 250TH COMMISSION AND LAND SPEED RECORD HOLDER" in the Senate.

Full Text

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2441] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING VIRGINIA AMERICAN REVOLUTION 250TH COMMISSION AND LAND SPEED RECORD HOLDER Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, as we celebrate our Nation's 250th anniversary, I would like to recognize the Virginia American Revolution 250th Commission, which was formed to celebrate the Commonwealth's contribution to the Nation upon the 250th anniversary of its independence from Great Britain, and the VA 250 Car Project, which is part of a national motorsports celebration in honor of the United States of America's semiquincentennial. The Virginia American Revolution 250th Commission is chaired by Delegate Terry Austin of Botetourt County, VA. Danny Turner, former mayor of Martinsville, VA, Joey Arrington of Henry County, VA, and former Congressman Virgil Goode of Rocky Mounty, VA, devised the VA 250 Car Project. Additionally, on March 23, 2026, the car known as the ``Martinsville Missile'' broke the land speed record for stock cars at the Launch and Land facility in Cape Canaveral, FL. The top was 253.1 mph, breaking the former record of 244.9 mph set back in 2007. The ``Martinsville Missile'' is a 1969 Dodge Daytona Charger with a 358-cubic-inch engine generating over 1,000 horsepower at 9,500 rpm. The car and engine were built by Joey Arrington in Martinsville, VA. The car was driven by Tommy Hurley of Ridgeway, VA. I salute this thrilling record, the driver who set it, the long tradition of motorsports in Virginia, and the deep contributions of Virginia to America's history. ____________________

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RECOGNIZING VIRGINIA AMERICAN REVOLUTION 250TH COMMISSION AND LAND SPEED RECORD HOLDER Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2441] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING VIRGINIA AMERICAN REVOLUTION 250TH COMMISSION AND LAND SPEED RECORD HOLDER Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, as we celebrate our Nation's 250th anniversary, I would like to recognize the Virginia American Revolution 250th Commission, which was formed to celebrate the Commonwealth's contribution to the Nation upon the 250th anniversary of its independence from Great Britain, and the VA 250 Car Project, which is part of a national motorsports celebration in honor of the United States of America's semiquincentennial. The Virginia American Revolution 250th Commission is chaired by Delegate Terry Austin of Botetourt County, VA. Danny Turner, former mayor of Martinsville, VA, Joey Arrington of Henry County, VA, and former Congressman Virgil Goode of Rocky Mounty, VA, devised the VA 250 Car Project. Additionally, on March 23, 2026, the car known as the ``Martinsville Missile'' broke the land speed record for stock cars at the Launch and Land facility in Cape Canaveral, FL. The top was 253.1 mph, breaking the former record of 244.9 mph set back in 2007. The ``Martinsville Missile'' is a 1969 Dodge Daytona Charger with a 358-cubic-inch engine generating over 1,000 horsepower at 9,500 rpm. The car and engine were built by Joey Arrington in Martinsville, VA. The car was driven by Tommy Hurley of Ridgeway, VA. I salute this thrilling record, the driver who set it, the long tradition of motorsports in Virginia, and the deep contributions of Virginia to America's history. ____________________