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To Honor Thomas Testa At Testimonial Sunday Expect Over 1,000 Will Attend Dinner for R. I. Commission Head PROVIDENCE, R. I., May 11.— Intimates and acquaintances of D. Thomas Testa to the number of 1,000 will rally here Sunday night to honor him at a testimonial dinner at the Hotel Narragansett. Testa is chairman of the Rhode Island State. Racing and Athletic Commission and treasurer of the National Association of State Racing Commissioners, having been, elected to th6 latter post last February at the commissioners annual convention at Mexico City. Testa, who was appointed to the racing commission in 1946 and became its chairman in 1947, has been prominent in Rhode Island politics for many years. He served two terms on the Providence City Council, and for several years was a member of the House of Representatives. He is a close friend of Gov. John O. Pastore, who calls him his "political godfather." Testa persuaded the Governor to enter politics, inducing him to run for the House of representatives, his first office. They have been friends since early manhood. Many outstanding figures in racing are expected to attend the dinner, among them Congressman Thomas R. Underwood, former secretary of the Kentucky State Racing Commission and secretary-treasurer of the National Association of State Racing Commissioners; Bill Corum, president of Churchill Downs; Nelson Duns tan, columnist of Daily Racing Form; Judge James E. Dooley, president Narragansett Racing Association: B. A. Dario, managing director Lincoln Downs; John Pappas, president Suffolk Downs; Lou Smith, executive manager of Rockingham Park; Thomas J. Beedem, chairman, and Allan M. Macleod and Col. Ira M. Hamllburg, Massachusetts State Racing Commission; Merrill A. Calkins, chairman, and Emmett J. Kelley and Byron E. Redman, secretary, New Hampshire Racing Commission; George D. Greenhalgh and Edward R. Hughes, Rhode Island Commission; Harry J. Millar, secretary New York State Racing Commission and Raymond P. McElroy, chief supervisor of racing in Rhode Island. Also Governor Pastore, Mayor Dennis J. Roberts of Providence, Congressman John E. Fogarty, Alfred J. Luke, former president of the Calif ornia Owners and Breeders Association; Sterling Young, secretary and eastern manager of the Jockeys Guild; the Rev. Peter Gorret, Walter H. Reynolds, finance director of the City of Providence, and the Rev. Attilio Bortignon.
