[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 344 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                      November 8, 1999.
Whereas William Payne Stewart was born in Springfield, Missouri, on January 30, 
        1957;
Whereas Payne Stewart was the son of William Stewart and Bee Payne-Stewart and 
        brother of Susan and Lora;
Whereas Payne Stewart grew up in a loving family in Springfield, Missouri, and 
        was instilled with the strong family values of hard work, academic 
        achievement, and good sportsmanship;
Whereas although Payne Stewart was a good athlete in football and basketball, 
        under the mentoring of his father, he took up the game of golf, 
        practicing and playing at Hickory Hills Country Club and growing to love 
        the game and its history;
Whereas Payne Stewart grew proficient in the game of golf during his years at 
        Greenwood High School and at Southern Methodist University in Texas 
        where he earned the status of ``All-American'';
Whereas Payne Stewart attained two milestones in 1981, marrying Marries Theresa 
        ``Tracey'' Ferguson and qualifying for his Professional Golfer's Card;
Whereas Payne Stewart donned what became his trademark knickers, long socks and 
        cap and won his first professional golf tournament in 1982 at the Quad 
        Cities Open in Illinois--the only professional golf tournament victory 
        his father ever saw him win;
Whereas Payne Stewart won 11 professional golf tournaments, including the United 
        States Open in 1991 and 1999 and the Professional Golfers' Association 
        Championship in 1989, and was a member of the United States Ryder Cup 
        Team 5 times, including the team that staged the greatest comeback 
        victory in the history of the event in 1999;
Whereas in 1994, Payne Stewart was among the first athletes inducted in the 
        Missouri Sports Hall of Fame;
Whereas Payne Stewart was never selfish with his successes, sharing generously 
        with many charitable organizations, including giving his entire Bay Hill 
        Classic winner's purse of $108,000 to the Florida Hospital Golden Circle 
        of Friends in memory of his father;
Whereas just last year Payne Stewart and his wife donated $500,000 to the First 
        Foundation, the fund raising arm of the First Baptist Church of Orlando, 
        to be used for the expansion of a Christian school;
Whereas Payne Stewart always found time to be a golf teacher and mentor to 
        children who were learning the game, returning to Springfield in late 
        July 1999 to conduct one of many children's clinics for would-be future 
        golf competitors;
Whereas Payne Stewart served as a role model for his Christian faith and his 
        sport in countless public and private ways;
Whereas Payne Stewart was a loving husband to his wife Tracey, daughter Chelsea, 
        and son Aaron;
Whereas Payne Stewart was viewed by his friends and former classmates as a fun-
        loving, warm, and smiling man with a joy for life, his family and his 
        sport;
Whereas Payne Stewart transcended the game of golf as a timeless symbol of 
        athletic talent, spirited competition, and a role model for people of 
        all ages; and
Whereas Payne Stewart died in a tragic plane crash on October 25, 1999, along 
        with Van Arden, Stephanie Bellegarrigue, Bruce Borland, Robert Fraley, 
        and Michael Kling: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes and honors Payne Stewart--
                    (A) as one of the greatest golfers;
                    (B) for his many contributions to the Nation throughout his 
                lifetime; and
                    (C) for transcending the game of golf and becoming a 
                timeless symbol of athletic talent, spirited competition, and a 
                role model as a Christian gentleman and a loving father and 
                husband; and
            (2) extends its deepest condolences to the families of Payne Stewart 
        and the other victims in the plane crash, Van Arden, Stephanie 
        Bellegarrigue, Bruce Borland, Robert Fraley, and Michael Kling, on their 
        tragic loss.
    Sec. 2. The Clerk of the House of Representatives shall transmit an enrolled 
copy of this resolution to the family of each of the victims.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.