News for Hoosiers

Lugar Names Tony George Energy Patriot

Senator Lugar named Tony George, President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as the Lugar Energy Patriot for his leadership in the IndyCar Series' decision to power its open-wheel cars on 100 percent ethanol. The award is part of an ongoing effort by Senator Lugar to recognize members of the business community, professionals, scholars, or students who demonstrate leadership and initiative in taking concrete action to reduce America's dependence on foreign energy sources.

"Tony George's decision to power IndyCar Series cars on ethanol at venues such as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway signals to the American public that ethanol is a premier, high performance fuel. It has tremendous environmental benefits and is a key component to energy independence for our country," said Senator Lugar.

Senator Lugar presented Tony George with a certificate of recognition while at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Armed Services Day.

The 2007 racing season will showcase ethanol as a high-performance renewable fuel at 17 tracks in the U.S. and around the world. Such visibility has been an important tool in further educating the public about the merits of ethanol and the growing urgency to lessen our dependence on foreign oil.

Ethanol is an alternative fuel produced by fermenting and distilling such crops that have been converted into simple sugars, such as corn, barley and wheat.

Senator Lugar has introduced the National Fuels Initiative, which would help bring ethanol to more Americans. S.162 would increase the number of E85 pumps nationwide and bring more flexible fuel vehicles to the roads. It would also institute a variable renewable fuel credit that acts like a price floor on oil, expand the Renewable Fuels Standard to require the use of 60 billion gallons of biofuels by 2030 and increase automotive fuel economy standards.

For more than a decade, Senator Lugar has stressed the strategic importance of energy security and the economic and security risks of dependence on oil. His legislative efforts promote sustainable energy production and use, incentives for renewable fuels like cellulosic ethanol and E85, increased fuel economy in cars and clean coal. The Lugar Energy Initiative highlights the repercussions of America's dangerous dependence on imported oil and provides information on energy legislation introduced by Senator Lugar, commentary by outside experts and information on alternative and renewable energy sources.

Past Lugar Energy Patriots include: Nancy Ho, Ph.D, Molecular Biologist, Purdue University's Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering; Mike Hudson, CEO I-Power; Bill Keith, President, SunRise Solar Inc.; Charlie Smith, CEO Countrymark Co-op; Kellie Walsh, Executive Director, Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance; and Marty Sennett, General Manager of CityBus.

Lugar Attends Armed Forces Day

On Sunday, May 20, Senator Lugar administered the Oath of Enlistment to 61 young Hoosiers joining various branches of the Armed Forces at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  Senator Lugar has participated in Armed Forces Day since 1981.

Senator Lugar and MG R. Martin Umbarger, Adjutant General of the State Indiana, also presented scholarships to Olivea Zook from Westfield High School, Kevin Bird from Ben Davis High School, and Lucas Simmons and Jon Harmon from Kings Academy in Marion during the Annual Armed Forces Day events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 20, 2007.

"The whole community wants to honor the people who have made the decision to serve our country," Senator Lugar told the recruits before the swearing-in ceremony. "Thank you so much for being here and for your commitment." 

Zook, Bird and Simmons received $105,000 ROTC scholarships after enlisting in the Indiana Army National Guard for six years.  The Indiana National Guard identifies students as early as their junior year in high school for this scholarship, and recipients are chosen based on their leadership skills, high moral character and academic achievement.

Harmon was presented with $105,000 College First scholarship by the Indiana Army National Guard.  This scholarship allows students to complete a bachelor’s degree without concern of mobilization.

"I commend these young people for their decision to enlist in the Indiana Army National Guard, and I was pleased to lead them in the Oaths of Enlistment," Senator Lugar said.  "I am grateful that each of these young people accepted this scholarship and look forward to their commissioning upon graduation."