Senator Schauer offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 145.

            A resolution designating June 6, 2006, as Ryan Newman Day in Michigan.

            Whereas, NASCAR racing star Ryan Newman drives the #12 Dodge Charger and is a four-time winner at Michigan International Speedway, having posted two victories each in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and the NASCAR Busch Series; and

            Whereas, Ryan Newman was born in 1977 and began his racing career at an early age. He graduated from high school with honors and was a recipient of the Rich Vogler Memorial Scholarship, a scholarship fund set up to encourage members of the racing community to pursue higher education. Ryan Newman earned his bachelor's degree in vehicle structure engineering from Purdue University in 2001; and

            Whereas, In 1993, he won the All-American Midget Series championship, and in 1999, he was named the USAC Silver Bullet Series National Champion, becoming the first driver in series history to earn a victory in all three divisions--Sprint, Midget, and Silver Crown--in one season. In 2000, Ryan Newman joined forces with motorsports legend Roger Penske and entered the field of stock car racing, amassing wins and acclaim from the start; and

            Whereas, Ryan Newman holds the NEXTEL Cup qualifying record at Michigan International Speedway, having posted a top speed of 194.232 mph in June 2005, and continues to thrill fans across Michigan as one of NASCAR’s "Young Guns"; and

            Whereas, In addition to his commitment to racing, Ryan Newman has shown a commitment to education and to community and charitable causes. In January 2005, Ryan Newman and his wife, Krissie Newman, created the Ryan Newman Foundation to help establish and maintain programs to reduce the overpopulation and euthanization of abandoned and unwanted dogs and cats, increase the adoption of homeless pets, provide humane education to youth and adults, and prevent cruelty to animals, while encouraging collaboration between humane societies, animal rescue groups, and animal control agencies; and

            Whereas, The Ryan Newman Foundation is also working to help nonprofit organizations in the preservation and conservation of wildlife and the environment, and is currently working to build an endowment to provide scholarships to students who pursue their college educations while continuing their involvement in auto racing; and

            Whereas, Ryan Newman will be the special guest at Michigan International Speedway’s Victory Lane Club prior to the 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway this month; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we hereby designate June 6, 2006, as Ryan Newman Day in the state of Michigan; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Ryan Newman as a token of our high regard for his achievements so far, both on the racetrack and in the charitable domain, and for his contributions to Michigan auto racing that are still to come.