[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 101 (Wednesday, July 8, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7255-S7256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        COMMENDING ARNOLD PALMER

  Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, today, I honor one of the great sports 
legends of all time, Arnold Palmer. Not only is Arnold Palmer a world-
class athlete, he is a generous philanthropist and devoted husband, 
father, and grandfather. This son of Latrobe, PA, changed the game of 
golf, both how it is played and how it is appreciated, forever.
  Mr. Palmer learned how to play golf when he was merely 4 years old, 
playing with clubs his father had cut down for him at Latrobe Country 
Club. His talent emerged visibly at an early age, and he was soon able 
to outplay children far older than him. He began to caddy when he was 
11 years old and later held almost every job at the country club. In 
his late teens, he also served as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard.
  His seven major career victories make Mr. Palmer one of the greatest 
golfers of all time. He won the Masters Tournament four times in 1958, 
1960,

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1962, and 1964; the U.S. Open in 1960 and the British Open in 1961 and 
1962. He twice represented the United States in the Ryder Cup Match, 
including serving as captain of the victorious American team in 1963.
  In 1997, he successfully battled prostate cancer and is a champion of 
programs supporting cancer research and early detection. In addition to 
the numerous charities he supports, Mr. Palmer led a fundraising drive 
creating the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando and the 
Latrobe Area Hospital Charitable Foundation.
  Mr. Palmer has led by example in kindness, good sportsmanship, and 
generosity. Today, along with my colleagues, I ask Congress to award 
Mr. Palmer a gold medal in recognition of his service to the Nation in 
promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in golf.

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