[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1173]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ERICA BATTLE

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                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2004

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to South 
Carolina's golfing ``phenom'' Erica Battle, a young lady who seems to 
be poised to make a big splash in the golf world in the not-to-distant 
future.
  Just last week, this 19-year-old Irmo, South Carolina native, won the 
Sonic Women's City of Columbia Championship held at the Forrest Lake 
Country Club. She stayed focused through a rainy second day at the 
tournament to break the course record with a score of 4-under par 68. 
After the 3 day tournament, she emerged with a 2-over-par 218, and 
bested the second place finisher by five strokes.
  Attaining such an accomplishment as a college junior is not unusual 
for this golf stand-out. As a high school player, Erica was named South 
Carolina's Female Athlete of the Year by The State newspaper and won 
the Beth Daniel Player of the Year award from the South Carolina Junior 
Golf Association. She qualified for the United States Amateur in 2002, 
won the 4A State Girl individual title in 2000, and led her Irmo High 
School golf team to three state championships.
  She is also dedicated to help with charitable causes. Last August, 
Erica participated in the 13th annual Rudolph Canzater Memorial Classic 
that I host annually in Santee, South Carolina. Last year's tournament 
contributed $21,000 in college scholarships for 22 needy students, and 
$25,000 to an Endowment I have established at South Carolina State 
University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. I played in the foursome with 
Erica on the first day of that two-day event, and got to see first hand 
the poise and maturity she has developed in the few years since she was 
my primary source for Girl Scout cookies.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and your colleagues to join me in celebrating 
the most recent success of Erica Battle, and in encouraging her to 
continue setting goals and records. Her success is a shining example to 
those who will follow in her footsteps.

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