[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 4 (Friday, January 10, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S206]]
                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 17--RECOGNIZING THE FIRST TEE FOR ITS SUPPORT OF 
PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS AN OPPORTUNITY TO 
 DEVELOP, THROUGH GOLF AND CHARACTER EDUCATION, LIFE-ENHANCING VALUES 
              SUCH AS HONOR, INTEGRITY, AND SPORTSMANSHIP

  Mrs. LINCOLN submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                               S. Res. 17

       Whereas The First Tee, a youth character building 
     organization, teaches young people positive values reinforced 
     through the game of golf;
       Whereas The First Tee is working to make the game of golf 
     more affordable and accessible to young people across the 
     country;
       Whereas The First Tee is implemented through a partnership 
     of parents, civic and corporate leaders, State and local 
     governments, youth-serving agencies, schools, and the golfing 
     community;
       Whereas community-based programs such as The First Tee play 
     an important role in educating youth in the positive values 
     that build strong character;
       Whereas, through the teachings of The First Tee Life Skills 
     experience, 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;
       Whereas the strong values that The First Tee teaches to 
     youth will positively impact their lives, their education, 
     and their experiences in school;
       Whereas the character traits youth learn in The First Tee 
     Life Skills experience and Annual Life Skills and Leadership 
     Academy complement the character education programs found in 
     many schools;
       Whereas these lessons are taught through a variety of golf-
     related exercises designed to enhance fundamental golf skills 
     while promoting strong character;
       Whereas these lessons will remain with participants for a 
     lifetime, regardless of whether they play golf professionally 
     or as a hobby; and
       Whereas The First Tee has established and incorporated 9 
     core values that reflect the principles of character 
     education, namely: confidence, courtesy, honesty, integrity, 
     judgment, perseverance, respect, responsibility, and 
     sportsmanship: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate recognizes The First Tee for its 
     support of programs that provide young people of all 
     backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through golf and 
     character education, life-enhancing values such as honor, 
     integrity, and sportsmanship.

  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, I rise today to submit a resolution 
which recognizes the many benefits provided to our Nation's youth by 
the First Tee Golf program. The First Tee, a youth character building 
organization, provides young people of all backgrounds an opportunity 
to develop life-enhancing values such as honor, integrity and 
sportsmanship through golf.
  Golf is a unique sport that teaches many of life's important lessons 
and promotes the best of character through fellowship and good 
sportsmanship. This resolution recognizes the contribution of the First 
Tee Golf program which, through the game of golf, provides many youths 
the lessons they will use to succeed as young men and women. By 
mitigating the high cost associated with this sport, the First Tee 
program gives young people an opportunity to reap the numerous benefits 
the game offers. Participants involved with First Tee learn to interact 
more effectively with others and to be a positive influence in their 
communities through curriculum specifically designed to teach 
interpersonal skills, self-management, goal-setting, and resistance 
skills. These are difficult life skills to teach, and I believe that 
the game of golf and the First Tee program is an ideal way to foster 
these values.
  I am proud that such an honorable program is finally becoming a 
reality in my State of Arkansas, and I am pleased to introduce this 
resolution recognizing the First Tee.

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