[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 22, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                COMMENDING JUDY BELL--FIRST LADY OF GOLF

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 22, 2001

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to direct the attention of my 
Colleagues to Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey where this evening one of 
golf's legends will be honored. The Professional Golf Association (PGA) 
will honor Judy Bell as recipient of this year's ``First Lady of Golf 
Award''. The PGA First Lady of Golf Award, inaugurated in 1998, is 
presented to a woman who has made significant contributions to the 
promotion of the game of golf.
  With interest and participation in golf growing to new heights every 
year, it is appropriate that the stewards of the game honor those who 
laid a strong foundation for today's success.
  Judy Bell's golf career--which spans the 50's, 60's, 70's 80's, 90's 
and has now reached into the new millennium--has been marked by one 
outstanding achievement after another. She has made significant 
contributions as a champion player, Rules official and an industry 
leader. Her lifetime record of service to the golf industry includes 
becoming the first woman to be elected president of the United States 
Golf Association. Bell was elected the USGA's 54th president from 1996-
97. Today, the 64-year-old Bell is in her 34th year of service to the 
USGA, and is consulting director of the USGA Foundation.
  Bell is a 1961 graduate of Wichita State University, where she was a 
two-time NCAA runner-up during a prolific amateur career. She won three 
Kansas State Amateur championships, and competed at age 14 in the 1950 
U.S. Women's Open, which would be the first of 38 USGA championship 
appearances. She was a two-time Curtis Cup Team member (1960, '62) and 
a two-time Curtis Cup Team Captain (1986, '88). She is the only 
individual to captain both a men's and women's U.S. World Amateur Team, 
leading the women in Stockholm, Sweden in 1988, and the men in 
Badsarrow, Germany in 2000. In addition, Judy Bell has been a USGA 
Rules official since the 1970s and has worked both the U.S. Open and 
U.S. Women's Open.
  Judy Bell has been a source of inspiration to all she meets. By her 
work, by her words and by her example, she has brought a countless men, 
women and youngsters into the game. I urge my Colleagues to join me in 
paying tribute to Judy Bell--this year's recipient of the PGA's ``First 
Lady of Golf'' award.

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