[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 29, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 A TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF BARBARA DOUGLAS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 29, 2012

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in great sadness to mark the 
passing of Barbara Douglas, an exceptional businesswoman and a champion 
of the game of golf who displayed tremendous courage during her three-
year battle with cancer.
  Although Barbara faced challenges and endured discrimination as a 
female and minority, she never let that get in the way of her personal 
and professional goals. She was a successful executive for IBM, but 
what she was most well-known for was her passion and contributions to 
the game of golf.
  Barbara started playing golf on New York-area public courses and went 
on to compete as an adult in the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links, a 
United States Golf Association national tournament.
  Among her many accomplishments was serving as the first minority 
chairman of the U.S. Golf Association's Women's Committee in 2009 and 
2010; receiving the Golf Writers Association of America's 2011 Ben 
Hogan Award for overcoming a physical disability to remain active in 
golf, serving as president of the National Minority Golf Foundation, 
and being inducted as a member of the National Black Golf Hall of Fame. 
She also found time to champion causes such as the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf 
Program.
  The world has lost a true champion. Those who knew her will miss her 
compassionate spirit, but her legacy to the game of golf will live on 
forever. My deepest sympathies and my prayers go out to her friends and 
family and the many lives she touched along her 69-year journey.

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