[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 69 (Friday, May 24, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E902-E903]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN HONOR OF THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF WAKE ROBIN GOLF CLUB, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                        of district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 22, 2002

  Mr. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 65th 
Anniversary of Wake Robin Golf Club, Inc. In noting this milestone, I 
am particularly pleased to honor the outstanding contributions that the 
Wake Robin Golf Club, Inc. has made to increase the involvement of 
African Americans in golf.
  Since its beginning in 1937, the Wake Robin Golf Club, Inc. has made 
many important contributions to expand opportunities for African 
Americans, particularly for women, in the District of Columbia and our 
nation. In 1938, members of the Wake Robin Golf Club, Inc. drafted a 
petition to the Secretary of the Interior requesting the desegregation 
of public golf courses in Washington, D.C. Three years later, because 
of their great persistence and energy, the Secretary issued an order 
honoring this courageous and groundbreaking request.

[[Page E903]]

  Members of the Wake Robin Golf Club, Inc. worked alongside other 
minority clubs to encourage the Professional Golf Association to 
abandon its ``Caucasian-only'' rule for eligibility, until the PGA 
finally integrated. The club also helped to organize and support the 
United Golfers Association, which hosted tournaments throughout the 
country for stellar African American golf professionals, including Ted 
Rhodes, Charlie Sifford and Lee Elder. This country needs many more 
cutting edge organizations to follow the extraordinary example of Wake 
Robin Golf Club.
  The Wake Robin Golf Club, Inc. endured and prospered while its 
members fought to end the exclusionary practices in golf. Today, there 
is still no fancy clubhouse, no driving range, no practice putting 
green, and no home golf course for members. But the club membership 
continues to grow with over 50 active members who play weekly in the 
Washington area. There are weekend matches, monthly tournaments, a five 
year incremental anniversary tournament and a club championship.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in honoring Wake Robin Golf, 
Inc, whose dedicated and unwavering leadership has made and continues 
to make a significant impact on African American golf players.

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