WASHINGTON -- The late NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt was honored by the House Tuesday in a resolution praising him as one of the greatest race car drivers ever.
The House measure, passed by a voice vote, also honored Earnhardt, "for transcending the sport of racing to become a role model as both a talented competitor and a loving husband and father."
Lawmakers led by those from Earnhardt's home state of North Carolina spoke on the House floor about the contributions of the man who earned seven Winston Cup Series championships and was named NASCAR driver of the year five times.
"Thousands of people were touched by Dale Earnhardt," said Rep. Robin Hayes, R-N.C., whose district includes Kannapolis, N.C., where Earnhardt was born. "His skill on the track made him a legend in the racing world, but it was his faith and actions off the track that made him a great man."
Earnhardt, 49, died in a crash during the final lap of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18.
Earnhardt's accomplishments were also taken up in speeches by both North Carolina senators on the Senate floor Monday.
"We have lost a cherished native son," said Sen. John Edwards, a Democrat. Sen. Jesse Helms, a Republican, said Earnhardt was "an authentic American. There was no pretense about him. He was a hero to millions of stock car racing fans."
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