[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 78 (Friday, May 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO CHI CHI RODRIQUEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2003

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to pay tribute to Mr. Juan 
``Chi Chi'' Rodriguez, one of the great showmen in sports history. In a 
career that spans four decades, Chi Chi has won eight times on the PGA 
Tour and now boasts twenty-two Senior Tour victories. His colorful 
performances still make him a gallery favorite, while his shot-making 
skills have earned him the respect of his peers.
  Chi Chi was born in 1935 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, and he grew up 
in the hot, dusty sugar cane fields of Rio Piedras, where he helped his 
father tend the fields. He began caddying at the age of six and 
actually learned how to play golf with clubs fashioned out of Guava 
tree limbs and tin cans hammered into balls. At the age of 12, he shot 
a 67. He became known for his hand-eye coordination and imagination, 
skills that for more than forty years have helped him overcome all 
types of obstacles. But Chi Chi's talents extend beyond what he is able 
to do with a golf ball. From his matador routine to his good-natured 
impersonations of fellow competitors, Chi Chi is an entertainer at 
heart.
  Mr. Speaker, what truly separates Chi Chi from his peers is that he 
has coupled his success on the golf course with a strong personal 
desire to make a positive impact. This has manifested itself in the 
countless hours he spends at the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation in 
Clearwater, Florida. This foundation serves as a safe haven for 
troubled and abused youngsters. Chi Chi's philosophy is simple; he 
wants kids to have a chance. Based on love and respect, the program 
builds confidence, instills discipline and provides positive 
educational experiences.
  Clearly, Chi Chi Rodriguez is a champion golfer, but he is a greater 
champion in the lives of youths and the Hispanic community.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Chi Chi Rodriguez for his 
illustrious and distinguished career and for his extraordinary 
contributions to the Hispanic community and to young people in the 
United States.

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