[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 58 (Wednesday, April 11, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S4373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CONGRATULATING ZACH JOHNSON

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I am pleased today to have the fortunate 
opportunity to recognize and congratulate a fellow Iowan on a 
magnificent achievement. On Sunday, 31-year-old Zach Johnson won the 
prestigious Masters golf tournament at the famed Augusta National Golf 
Club in Augusta, GA. I am joined by my colleague, Senator Harkin, in 
submitting a Senate resolution congratulating Zach for his victory.
  Zach not only won one of the most difficult golf tournaments in the 
world, he also won quite possibly one of the most difficult of all the 
Masters' tournaments in history. Gusting winds and bitterly cold 
weather combined with the traditional challenges of the golf course to 
create one of the toughest tournaments. His winning score of one-over-
par 289 tied the highest winning score in Masters history. In the 
process, he beat fellow golf champions Tiger Woods and Retief Goosen by 
two-strokes.
  Zach was born in Iowa City and grew up in Cedar Rapids, playing golf 
at Elmcrest Country Club in Cedar Rapids. He went on to play golf at 
Drake University in Des Moines, graduating in 1998. To continue his 
pursuits as a professional golfer, Zach counted on the support of 
family and friends in Cedar Rapids who believed in him. His success 
didn't happen overnight; his dedication to the game and his hard work 
ethic helped him earn the prized green jacket.
  Even in the aftermath of winning one of golf's highest achievements, 
he remained humble in his acceptance. He attributed much of his success 
to his perseverance and patience. He recognized his family and friends 
who believed in him even when he wasn't so sure himself, and as a man 
of faith he knew there was another power guiding him.
  Through it all, he continued to insist that he's just a normal guy 
from Cedar Rapids, IA. I am proud of Zach Johnson for his brilliant 
win, and I am proud of him as an Iowan. I know Iowans are honored and 
blessed to have a person like Zach Johnson representing us in the world 
of professional golf. So I congratulate him on his outstanding victory, 
and I wish him and his family all the best.

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