[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 82 (Monday, May 19, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H4080-H4081]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             ARNOLD PALMER

  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1152) honoring Arnold Palmer for his distinguished 
career in

[[Page H4081]]

the sport of golf and his commitment to excellence and sportsmanship, 
as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1152

       Whereas Arnold Palmer is an all-time great in the sport of 
     golf, a highly successful businessman, an outstanding 
     philanthropist, and a devoted family man;
       Whereas Arnold Palmer's golf career spanned more than 50 
     years and included 92 tournament victories in professional 
     play, of which 62 were in the United States Professional Golf 
     Association Tour;
       Whereas Arnold Palmer was recognized as the Sports 
     Illustrated Sportsman of the Year in 1960 and the Associated 
     Press Athlete of the Decade for the 1960s;
       Whereas Arnold Palmer is a prostate cancer survivor and has 
     served as an important advocate for promoting cancer research 
     and early detection;
       Whereas Arnold Palmer's philanthropic generosity has 
     touched thousands across the United States;
       Whereas Arnold Palmer's charitable endeavors span across 
     the United States, from the Arnold Palmer Prostate Center in 
     Rancho Mirage, California, to the Winnie Palmer Hospital for 
     Women and Babies in Orlando, Florida;
       Whereas Arnold Palmer possesses a charismatic personality 
     and a sense of kindness and generosity that has endeared him 
     to millions;
       Whereas the United States Golf Association has its 
     headquarters in Far Hills, New Jersey, in the 7th 
     Congressional District;
       Whereas United States Golf Association President Jim Vernon 
     has said that ``Arnold Palmer embodies the integrity and 
     passion at the heart of the game of golf, as well as the 
     gracious spirit of our Nation''; and
       Whereas on June 3, 2008, the United States Golf Association 
     will honor Arnold Palmer with the opening of the Arnold 
     Palmer Center for Golf History in the United States Golf 
     Association Museum in Bernards Township, New Jersey: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) honors Arnold Palmer for his outstanding career in the 
     sport of golf;
       (2) commends Arnold Palmer for his dedication to charity 
     and helping others; and
       (3) expresses support for the United States Golf 
     Association as it celebrates Arnold Palmer with the opening 
     of the Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Watson) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair will recognize the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  On behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 
I rise for the consideration of H. Res. 1152, which pays tribute to 
Arnold Palmer for both his distinguished golfing career and his 
dedication to excellence and sportsmanship.
  H. Res. 1152 was coauthored by Congressman Ferguson of New Jersey and 
Congressman Baca of California, and is cosponsored by 83 Members of 
Congress. The bill before us was first introduced on April 24, 2008, 
and was taken up by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on 
May 15, 2008, where the measure was amended and then passed by voice 
vote.
  A native of Western Pennsylvania, Arnold Palmer is regarded as one of 
the greatest golfers in the history of the professional sport of golf, 
winning over 90 PGA tour titles since the mid 1950s, and 62 champion 
tour wins since 1980. Arnold Palmer became the face of televised golf 
in America, and even today his talents and accomplishments in the sport 
of golf continue to set the standard for many, including the greats of 
today, such as Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh.

                              {time}  1315

  Nicknamed ``The King,'' Arnold Palmer has demonstrated excellence 
both on and off of the golf course by establishing the Arnold Palmer 
Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida, and the Arnold Palmer 
Pavilion at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
  Mr. Speaker, in honor of the contributions Mr. Palmer has made to the 
world of golf and the landscape of America, I urge the adoption of H. 
Res. 1152.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I too rise in support of this resolution 
recognizing Arnold Palmer for his contributions to golf and to our 
society. How fitting it is that we honor him on the occasion of the 
opening of the Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History in New Jersey 
since it is he who made this possible and he who has made golf history 
so many times.
  You could, in fact, honor Arnold for his off-the-tee activities, if 
you wanted to. You could honor him for being somebody who proved that 
even with an unorthodox swing you could get to the goal.
  You certainly could recognize him, as we are, for his 92 
championships, 61 on the PGA Tour, including two victories at the 
Masters, two at the British Open and one at the U.S. Open. From 1960 to 
1963 he won 29 tournaments. He won 10 more times in the Senior PGA 
Tour. He has had a long and successful career, one that continues to 
stand in its records in the American Golf Hall of Fame.
  He is also, though, a celebrated course designer. His skill, his 
ability to, in fact, create constantly innovative and enjoyable places 
for America to golf has left a lasting legacy, both here in the United 
States and around the world. He even found a way to invent a golf-
friendly drink, the Arnold Palmer, which consists of iced tea and 
lemonade.
  There is no question this is a man for all seasons and all charities. 
He has raised millions for charities that fight cancer and other 
diseases. He has given of his time and money and energies for countless 
other causes.
  He also has endeavored to promote golf and serve as one of our finest 
ambassadors of the sport.
  We often, here in the House, do resolutions, and we say, this is 
special. But I don't think there's any question that as America hears 
today that we have honored Arnold Palmer for golf, they'll say, what 
took us so long? Of course we should do it.
  I yield back the balance of my time and urge support of this 
resolution.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1152, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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