[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 78 (Friday, May 11, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S6014]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         WACHOVIA CHAMPIONSHIP

  Mr. BURR. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the fifth 
anniversary of the Wachovia Championship golf tournament and its 
contribution to charitable causes in North Carolina.
  Several years ago, a group of North Carolinians gathered to begin the 
planning for this first-class event. Under their leadership, the 
Wachovia Championship has quickly risen to the top echelon of sporting 
events in the country. In only 5 short years, the Wachovia Championship 
has become known as one of the preeminent golf tournaments in the 
country--second only to the major championships.
  The organizers desired to create a premier sporting event that would 
provide a first-class experience for patrons, PGA tour players, and 
volunteers that at the same time would have a significant economic 
impact for the Carolinas, showcase our State and region to a national 
and international television audience, and most importantly, raise 
significant funds for charitable causes in the State.
  On all accounts, the Wachovia Championship has been a resounding 
success story. This year alone, the Wachovia Championship will have an 
economic impact of over $45 million in the state of North Carolina.
  The primary beneficiary of the success of the Wachovia Championship 
is Teach for America. Funds generated from the tournament are used to 
support the national efforts of this organization. Teach for America is 
the national corps of outstanding college graduates who commit 2 years 
to teach in low-income communities and become advocates for expanding 
educational opportunity. Since 1990 nearly 17,000 college graduates 
have joined Teach for America, impacting the lives of over 2.5 million 
students.
  In North Carolina, Teach for America has over 250 corps members 
teaching in Charlotte, Durham and communities across the eastern half 
of the State.
  Since the inception of the tournament, over $4 million has been 
generated for Teach for America from the success of the Wachovia 
Championship in Charlotte.
  As you can see, this is much more than just a golf tournament. The 
Wachovia Championship is a community and economic success story.
  I congratulate the organizers and the thousands of volunteers that 
make the Wachovia Championship one of the special events that makes our 
state of North Carolina proud.

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