[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 18, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        THE FIRST TEE RESOLUTION

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                          HON. JOHN A. BOEHNER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 18, 2002

  Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a resolution 
recognizing the efforts of The First Tee, a youth character building 
organization with programs located throughout the country that provides 
young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through both 
the game of golf and character education, values and character traits 
that will positively impact their lives and experiences in school.
  The First Tee programs are community-based and are implemented 
through a partnership of parents, civic and corporate leaders, state 
and local governments, youth-serving agencies, schools, and the golfing 
community.
  This week, President and Mrs. Bush are hosting a conference at the 
White House on the importance of character education to our Nation's 
youth. This resolution reflects the House's continuing commitment to 
ensuring that positive values are instilled in all children at a young 
age, and recognizes one community-based program that is making a real 
difference for disadvantaged children across the country.
  Many children throughout the United States face difficult 
circumstances in their lives. Broken homes, poverty, drugs, alcohol, 
and violence are everyday factors that many of today's youth 
continually face. A structured activity, the enjoyment of sport, and 
the teaching of positive values and character traits can be a 
tremendous experience and welcome respite in the lives of these young 
people.
  The First Tee, an innovative model of public-private partnership, is 
working to make the game of golf more affordable and accessible to 
young people throughout the Nation by opening up golf courses and 
providing instruction for free and reduced rates to children of all 
socioeconomic backgrounds. By the year 2005, The First Tee will serve 
more than 500,000 children in 250 programs throughout the United 
States. In my state of Ohio, there are currently four First Tee 
facilities that serve more than 1,500 hundred children.
  And just as importantly, the golf-related exercises are paired with 
The First Tee Life Skills program, through which young people learn the 
importance of maintaining a positive attitude, considering the 
consequences of their decisions, setting and achieving objectives, 
holding themselves to high standards, and applying to their everyday 
lives values such as responsibility, honesty, integrity, respect, 
confidence and sportsmanship.
  One student in particular, Amber Davis, has been involved with The 
First Tee of Atlanta since April of 2000. Her dedication and enthusiasm 
has helped her progress through the first three levels of The First Tee 
certification process. She has participated at both of The First Tee 
Life Skills and Leadership Academies at Kansas State University over 
the past two summers, and received the Renee Powell Award for Female 
Leadership during the inaugural academy. She currently spends her spare 
time volunteering as a mentor for 13 of the young female participants 
in The First Tee program. An accomplished golfer, she has competed in 
several local, regional, state and national tournaments and was the 
only freshman to make the golf team at Woodward Academy in Atlanta. She 
credits The First Tee program with helping her to develop her strong 
leadership skills.
  Again, I am pleased to bring attention to The First Tee and am 
grateful for its work in our Nation's communities. I ask for my 
colleagues support and urge them to join me as a cosponsor of this 
resolution.

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