[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 28, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E88]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JONATHAN BYRD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 28, 2003

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a native 
South Carolinian and extraordinary young athlete, Mr. Jonathan Byrd. 
With his monumental victory at the Buick Challenge last year, Mr. Byrd 
became the first person to win on the PGA TOUR in his rookie year since 
Jose Coceres. Jonathan began the season ranked 404th by the Official 
World Golf Ranking and, by season's end, climbed to an amazing 72nd. 
Those achievements earned him the well-deserved title of PGA Rookie of 
the Year.
  Jonathan's path to athletic excellence began when he was still a 
toddler in his hometown of Elgin, S.C. His father, Jim Byrd and good 
friend and occasional golfing buddy of mine introduced Jonathan to the 
game of golf at the young age of three. Jonathan first began developing 
his skills using a 5-iron that was cut down until the grip nearly 
reached the hosel. He played his first nine holes when in the second 
grade finishing at 62, and he has only improved since.
  Mr. Byrd continued to hone his talent throughout adolescence and into 
early adulthood. He later won the Northeast Amateur and the Carolinas 
Amateur, was an All-American selection for three out of his four 
college years at Clemson University. He was a member of the 1999 Walker 
Cup Team.
  I have followed Jonathan's career and have had the pleasure of 
golfing with him in South Carolina. I can personally attest to his 
extraordinary talent and strength of character. His success is a 
reflection of the overwhelming support he has received from his family, 
his community, and supporters. Their investment and faith in him have 
been justly rewarded.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in applauding Mr. 
Byrd for his outstanding athletic achievements. His integrity and 
dedication to physical excellence, and mental toughness are inspiration 
to all. Mr. Byrd's talent will serve him, his friends and family for 
many years to come. I extend my most heartfelt congratulations to 
Jonathan Byrd for his accomplishments, and wish him good luck and 
Godspeed in all his future endeavors.

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