Contact: Eric Wing (914) 434-3529
The Honorable Tommy G. Thompson and the Washington, D.C., law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld have announced in a letter to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) that they will issue a public report assessing the progress of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance. The report is expected to be issued by the end of 2009. Thompson, the former four-term Governor of Wisconsin and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, has served as the independent monitor of the Alliance since its inception in October, 2008.
"As independent monitor to the Alliance," Thompson wrote, "it is my responsibility to examine the work of the Alliance and to assess industry progress in achieving the reforms called for by the Alliance…That report will be made available to the public and I will make myself available to the media and to fans to answer any questions concerning that report."
During the upcoming months, Thompson will preside over a systematic data-gathering phase that includes the submission of a formal questionnaire to racetracks that have undergone the accreditation process; one-on-one interviews with key industry stakeholder groups; the online solicitation of public comment about the Alliance; and a thorough examination of the entire racetrack accreditation process, including a review of all Alliance applications, inspection team make-up, inspection team reports and actions taken on the basis of those reports.
"My partners at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld and I take our responsibility to the public and to racing fans very seriously," Thompson concluded in the letter. "We fully understand that many are relying on us to assure them of the genuineness and effectiveness of industry efforts to implement safety and integrity reforms."
"Akin Gump and Governor Thompson have been actively engaged in the Alliance since its inception, and we welcome their candid assessment of the industry’s progress to date," said Mike Ziegler, Executive Director of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.
The Alliance, formed last October with the goal of establishing national uniform standards in the areas of safety and integrity, includes 55 racetracks in North America and every major national horsemen’s organization. Alliance certification standards cover five broad areas: injury reporting and prevention; creating a safer racing environment; aftercare and transition of retired racehorses; uniform medication, testing and penalties; and safety research.
The accreditation program initially will focus on human and equine safety, but will be expanded to cover additional areas, including wagering security.
The NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance is a standing organization whose purpose is to establish standards and practices to promote safety and integrity in horseracing and to secure their implementation. Information on the Alliance, including the Alliance Code of Standards, can be found at www.NTRAalliance.com.
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