[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 156 (Saturday, November 8, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H10353]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     PRIVATE GOLF CLUBS USE TAX LOOPHOLE TO PRACTICE DISCRIMINATION

  (Mr. TOWNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, this week Congress did a great service for 
this Nation by passing the Internal Revenue Service reform legislation. 
However, in our celebration, I must inform my colleagues that there is 
more work that needs to be done. We must eliminate a little known tax 
loophole for private clubs that profit from practicing discrimination.
  This chart details four private golf clubs identified by HBO's ``Real 
Sport with Bryant Gumbel.'' They have $9 million in taxpayers funds 
while excluding African-Americans. Each year these 501(c)(7) clubs act 
as nonprofit organizations that are exempt from paying corporate taxes 
to the Federal Government.

                              {time}  1300

  This is just the tip of the iceberg, Mr. Speaker. I am offering 
legislation today that will end this, and I hope the Members of this 
body will join me.

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