[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 11 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H451]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
                              CASEY MARTIN

  (Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, Casey Martin is a 25-year-old young man who 
lives in America, the land of opportunity. He suffers from K-T-W 
syndrome which is a circulatory disorder in his right leg which causes 
great pain when he walks significant distances. Notwithstanding that, 
he had the courage to become a second team all-American on the Stanford 
golf team. The Professional Golfers Association said that the ADA did 
not apply to Casey Martin and it was not designed or intended to apply 
to competitors in professional sporting events.
  The judge felt differently and sustained what I think we in this body 
felt, that somebody with a disability ought to be given a reasonable 
accommodation to participate as fully as their courage and commitment 
would allow.
  Gary Phelan, a disability expert, was quoted as saying that the ADA 
was about opportunity, not pity. Casey Martin was the victim of fate, 
but he was not defeated by that disability. He has competed and 
prevailed. It was a great day for America yesterday when he was allowed 
to compete fully to the extent of his ability.

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