France’s Honored: In a plan hatched during President George W. Bush’s Daytona Beach visit two weeks ago, members of the France family — along with the widow and daughter of the late racing legend Dale Earnhardt — visited the Florida House to accept praise and a resolution designating it as “Speedway Day.” State Rep. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach, said the Frances exemplify family unity and values promoted in the state. Lynn and House Speaker Tom Feeney, R-Oviedo, said the accolades had nothing to do with the campaign contributions the family, International Speedway Corp. and its subsidiaries have made, mostly to the Republicans who dominate the Legislature. The economic benefit the family’s companies provide to Florida in the form of jobs and major races is well deserving of the honor, Feeney said. The family does have dealings in Tallahassee, however, including its support of a new law, approved last year, that sealed autopsy photos in the wake of Earnhardt’s Daytona 500 death last year. Feeney said if the family was currently advocating a bill or issue he would not have felt comfortable with the tribute. Wednesday’s event on the House floor was a celebration of the Frances, stock-car racing and America. It included a 10-minute video, scored by patriotic standards, documenting the early days of beach racing through the opening of Daytona International Speedway in 1959 to the emergence of racing icons like Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough and Earnhardt. Bill France Jr. told legislators he is proud of the economic benefits the family has made to the state and thanked them for the “wonderful recognition.”(Daytona Beach News Journal)(2-14-2002)
