[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 54 (Monday, April 16, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H1820-H1824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PROVIDING FOR AWARD OF GOLD MEDAL TO JACK NICKLAUS
Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 4040) to provide for the award of a gold medal on behalf
of Congress to Jack Nicklaus in recognition of his service to the
nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in golf.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4040
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) Jack Nicklaus is a world famous golf professional, a
highly successful business executive, a prominent advertising
spokesman, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and a
man with a common touch that has made him one of those most
popular and accessible public figures in history.
(2) Jack Nicklaus amassed 118 victories in professional
competition of national or international stature by the end
of 2005, 73 of which came on the Professional Golf
Association Tour, and 18 professional major-championship
titles. He is the only player in golf history to have won
each major championship at least three times and is the only
player to complete a career ``Grand Slam'' on the regular and
senior tours.
(3) Jack Nicklaus' magnetic personality and unfailing sense
of kindness and thoughtfulness have endeared him to millions
throughout the world.
(4) Jack Nicklaus has been the recipient of countless
athletic honors, including the Muhammad Ali Sports Legend
Award and the first-ever ESPY Lifetime Achievement Award. He
became the first golfer and only the third athlete to receive
the Vince Lombardi Award of Excellence and is also a
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five-time winner of the PGA Player of the Year Award. He was
also selected as Golfer of the Century by GOLF Magazine, Best
Individual Male Athlete of the 20th Century and Sportsman of
the Year by Sports Illustrated, and he was also inducted into
the World Golf Hall of Fame.
(5) Jack Nicklaus has received numerous honors outside the
world of sports, including several architectural awards for
his work in golf course designs, such as The Old Tom Morris
Award which is the highest honor given by the Golf Course
Superintendents Association of America, and both the Donald
Ross Award given by the American Society of Golf Course
Architects and the Don A. Rossi Award given by the Golf
Course Builders Association of America.
(6) Jack Nicklaus has been involved in the design of 275
golf courses worldwide and his business, Nicklaus Design, has
346 courses open for play globally.
(7) Jack Nicklaus served as the Global Ambassador for a
campaign to include golf in the Olympic Games, which was
achieved and will begin in the 2016 Olympic Program.
(8) Jack Nicklaus was honored by President George W. Bush
in 2005 by receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the
highest honor given to any U.S. civilian.
(9) Jack Nicklaus has a long standing commitment to
numerous charitable events such as supporting the Nicklaus
Children's Health Care Foundation, which provides pediatric
health care services in a five county area including Palm
Beach County, Florida, has assisted in raising over $12
million in just five years for the cause, and continues to
support several scholarship foundations, other children's
hospitals, and junior golf initiatives.
(10) Jack Nicklaus continues to manage The Memorial
Tournament in his home state of Ohio, in which contributions
generated through the support of over 2,600 volunteers are
given to Nationwide Children's Hospital fund. This has
garnered more than $5.7 million for programs and services at
this hospital since 1976, so that Central Ohio will continue
to have one of the best children's hospitals in the United
States.
(11) Jack Nicklaus and his wife serve as honorary chairman
and active chairwoman of the Nicklaus Children's Health Care
Foundation in North Palm Beach, Florida, which provides free
of charge health assistance and services to more than 4,000
children and their families through Child Life programs
(support therapeutic interventions for children with chronic
and acute conditions during hospitalization), Miami
Children's Hospital Nicklaus Care Centers (to offer a new
option to Palm Beach County area families with children who
require pediatric specialty care), and Safe Kids program
(aimed at keeping children injury free and offer safety
education in an effort to decrease accidental injuries in
children).
(12) Jack Nicklaus established an annual pro-am golf
tournament called ``The Jake'' to honor his 17-month-old
grandson who passed in 2005, and it serves as a primary
fundraiser for the Nicklaus Children's Health Care
Foundation, which has raised over $3 million over the last
several years.
(13) Jack Nicklaus and General John Shalikashvili (ret.)
serve as honorary chairs of the American Lake Veterans Golf
Course in Tacoma, Washington, which is designed for the
rehabilitation of wounded and disabled veterans. Nicklaus has
donated his design services for the improvement of the
course, and raised contributions for the addition of nine new
holes, the construction of the Rehabilitation and Learning
Center, and for the upgrade of the maintenance facilities
through a two-day event in Palm Desert, CA, called the
``Nicklaus Nine''.
(14) Jack Nicklaus serves as a spokesperson and Trustee for
The First Tee program which brings the game of golf to
children who would not otherwise be exposed to it.
(15) Jack Nicklaus remains active in tournament golf,
although he retired from competition in the major
championships in 2005, when he played his final British Open,
his final Masters Tournament, and led the United States to a
thrilling victory in the Presidents Cup.
SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
(a) Authorization.--The Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate
shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on
behalf of the Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design
to Jack Nicklaus in recognition of his service to the Nation
in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship.
(b) Design and Striking.--For the purpose of the
presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of
the Treasury shall strike a gold medal with suitable emblems,
devices, and inscriptions to be determined by the Secretary.
SEC. 3. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
Under such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury may
prescribe, the Secretary may strike duplicate medals in
bronze of the gold medal struck pursuant to section 2 and
sell such duplicate medals at a price sufficient to cover the
costs of the duplicate medals (including labor, materials,
dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses) and the cost of
the golf medal.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL MEDALS.
The medals struck under this Act are national medals for
purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.
SEC. 5. FUNDING.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be charged against the United States Mint Public
Enterprise Fund an amount not to exceed $30,000 to pay for
the cost of the medals authorized by this Act.
(b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sale of
duplicate bronze medals under section 3 shall be deposited in
the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Luetkemeyer) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.
General Leave
Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and add extraneous material on this bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise today in support of H.R. 4040, awarding a Congressional Gold
Medal to Jack Nicklaus. It is an honor and a privilege to be speaking
on this bill brought to the floor by the efforts of my friend and
colleague from California (Mr. Baca) and cosponsored by 342 Members. I
commend the gentleman for his work on this bill.
Mr. Speaker, we all know Jack Nicklaus is one of the best golfers of
all time, but he also has been so much more than that. Jack Nicklaus is
a successful businessman, a spokesman, a devoted father and
grandfather, and one of the warmest, kindest public figures in history.
Jack Nicklaus, the golfer, has been the recipient of countless
athletic awards and honors. He is the only player in golf history to
win each major championship at least three times, and the only player
to win the Grand Slam on the regular and senior tours. A five-time PGA
Player of the Year, he became the first golfer to win the Vince
Lombardi trophy for excellence and has been inducted in the World Golf
Hall of Fame, just to name a few of his achievements.
Jack Nicklaus is also a humanitarian. He has built an impressive
record of giving to the world, establishing, managing and serving as
the face of charities, golf tournaments and campaigns that raise funds
to help people in need all over the world.
{time} 1640
He established the pro-am golf tournament called The Jake in honor of
his young grandson who died in 2005. It serves as a primary fundraiser
for the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation. He is an honorary
chairman of a golf course designed for the rehabilitation of wounded
and disabled veterans. He is a spokesperson and trustee for The First
Tee program that brings golf to children who would not otherwise be
exposed to it.
Jack Nicklaus, the entrepreneur, has been involved in the design of
more than 275 golf courses, and has been the recipient of the Old Tom
Morris Award in golf course design, which is the highest award given by
golf course superintendents. He has been given the Donald Ross Award by
the American Society of Golf Course Architects and the Don A. Rossi
Award by the Gold Course Builders Association of America.
Jack Nicklaus was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by
President George W. Bush in 2005, the highest Presidential honor given
to any U.S. civilian.
By approving this legislation, Congress will move forward to award
the highest congressional civilian honor.
Mr. Speaker, this legislation celebrates the accomplishments of a man
who is honored by many for his achievements in a life very well lived.
I ask all Members to support it.
I reserve the balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Ways and Means,
Washington, DC, April 16, 2012.
Hon. Spencer Bachus,
Chairman, Committee on Financial Services, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Bachus, I am writing concerning H.R. 4040, to
award a congressional gold medal to Jack Nicklaus, which is
scheduled for floor action the week of April 16, 2012.
As you know, the Committee on Ways and Means maintains
jurisdiction over matters that concern raising revenue. H.R.
4040 contains a provision that provides for the sale of
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duplicate medals, and thus falls within the jurisdiction of
the Committee on Ways and Means.
However, as part of our ongoing understanding regarding
commemorative coin and medal bills and in order to expedite
this bill for floor consideration, the Committee will forgo
action. This is being done with the understanding that it
does not in any way prejudice the Committee with respect to
the appointment of conferees or its jurisdictional
prerogatives on this or similar legislation in the future.
I would appreciate your response to this letter, confirming
this understanding with respect to H.R. 4040, and would ask
that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be
included in the Congressional Record during floor
consideration.
Sincerely,
Dave Camp,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Financial Services,
Washington, DC, April 13, 2012.
Hon. Dave Camp,
Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Camp: I am writing in response to your letter
regarding H.R. 4040, to award a gold medal on behalf of
Congress to Jack Nicklaus in recognition of his service to
the Nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in
golf, which is scheduled for Floor consideration under
suspension of the rules on Monday, April 16, 2012.
I wish to confirm our mutual understanding on this bill.
The bill contains a provision for a charge for the sale of
duplicate medals. I understand your concern with provisions
that raise revenue and accordingly would fall under the
jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means. However,
this bill is not expected to raise revenue.
Further, I appreciate your willingness to forego action by
the Committee on Ways and Means on H.R. 4040 in order to
allow the bill to come to the Floor expeditiously. I agree
that your decision to forego further action on this bill will
not prejudice the Committee on Ways and Means with respect to
its jurisdictional prerogatives on this or similar
legislation. Therefore, I would support your request for
conferees on those provisions within your jurisdiction should
this bill be the subject of a House-Senate conference.
I will include this exchange of letters in the
Congressional Record when this bill is considered by the
House. Thank you again for your assistance and if you should
need anything further, please do not hesitate to contact
Natalie McGarry of my staff at 202 225 7502.
Sincerely,
Spencer Bachus,
Chairman.
Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
First, I would like to thank Financial Services Committee Chairman
Spencer Bachus and Ranking Member Barney Frank for their effort to move
this bill forward. Also, I want to thank my colleagues who helped me
get 342 signatures. I want to thank Tom Rooney and Duncan Hunter and,
of course, Dan Burton in trying to help us get the 342 cosponsors.
I also wanted to thank Mr. Luetkemeyer for his support of this
legislation and all of my colleagues who became cosponsors of this
legislation.
Today, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4040, to honor Jack Nicklaus,
the Golden Bear, with the Congressional Gold Medal. Jack Nicklaus' golf
record is one that history will remember forever.
He was born on January 21, 1940, in Columbus, Ohio. He attended Ohio
State University, and turned professional in 1961, which happens to be
from the same State that the Speaker, John Boehner, is from.
As a family man, he remains committed to the core values of providing
for his family, respecting the game, and serving as a true inspiration
for others.
Upon marrying his wife, Barbara, in July of 1960, and the birth of
their first son, Jack, Jr., in 1961, he decided the best way to provide
for his family was to become a professional golfer. His drive and his
passion for the game is an example of sportsmanship of the highest
caliber, like most of us amateurs who love the game of golf. However, I
ask that Jack Nicklaus be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for his
leadership as an American and as a positive role model.
Yes, Jack Nicklaus won 118 national and international championships.
Yes, Jack Nicklaus' most prominent professional titles were six
Masters--1963, 1965, 1966, 1972, 1975, 1986; three British Opens--1966,
1970, 1979; four U.S. Opens--1962, 1967, 1972, 1980; and five PGA
Championships--1963, 1971, 1973, 1975, and 1980.
Like most of us golfers, we'll probably never be able to accomplish
his feat of what he has just done right now. There are others who are
trying, and who knows what will happen.
Jack Nicklaus is the only player in history to have won each of the
game's majors at least three times, and is the only player to have
completed the career grand slam on the regular and senior tour, and
that's quite an accomplishment. That's very difficult. Most of us who
play golf know it's hard to win one tournament versus the next
tournament. It's quite an accomplishment.
Jack Nicklaus also represented the U.S. in the Ryder Cup Masters as a
player six times and served as a captain twice. He also served as the
U.S. captain four times for the President's Cup.
He has written several instructional books, one called ``Golf My
Way,'' which I have read every time I'm in trouble and need to go back
and refresh my golf game; the autobiography he called ``My Story,''
which describes his golf course design methods and philosophy; and many
others, such as ``Play Better Golf: Shortcuts to Lower Scores''; ``Jack
Nicklaus' Lesson Tee''; and ``My Golden Lessons: 100-Plus Ways to
Improve Your Shots, Lower Your Scores and Enjoy Golf, Much, Much
More.''
Yet, he's a businessman. Jack Nicklaus also produced several other
instructional videos showing his fans how to play the game from his
points of view.
But I ask that we honor Jack Nicklaus with a Congressional Gold Medal
because of the way he lived his life. Jack Nicklaus' way of living his
life is a perfect example of how Americans should give. He was a
devoted husband, father, and grandfather who cared for his family, who
helped many other families during a time of hardship and struggle. Jack
Nicklaus' work and philanthropy is evidence of his dedication to
helping others.
He is known to have an unfailing sense of kindness, and has used the
game of golf as a means of sharing and helping others.
He proactively helps thousands of children and their families
everywhere. By serving as chairman of the Nicklaus Children's Health
Care Foundation, he was able to provide valuable programs to serve more
than 4,000 hospitalized children and their families free of charge.
That is giving, that is caring, that is someone who cares about people
and cares about children. This foundation is able to reach such volumes
of patients through the Child Life programs and the Pediatric Oncology
Support Team that supports therapeutic interventions for children with
chronic and acute conditions during hospitalization.
He also partners with Miami Children's Hospital Nicklaus Care
Centers, which offer a new option for Palm Beach County-area families
with children who require pediatric specialty care. The foundation also
has a Safe Kids program aimed at keeping children injury free and
offers safety education in an effort to decrease accidental injuries to
children. Jack Nicklaus helped raise over $12 million within 5 years
for this cause. Much of the funding comes from a pro-am golf tournament
he established in honor of his 17-month-old grandson who passed away,
called ``The Jake,'' which also became the foundation's chief
fundraiser.
Jack Nicklaus also serves as honorary chair for the American Lake
Veterans Golf Course in Tacoma, Washington, a course designed for the
rehabilitation of our wounded and disabled veterans, especially those
that are fighting and coming back right now who need a lot of
rehabilitation, our wounded warriors. In providing help and knowing
that there is somewhere they can go, Jack Nicklaus is instrumental in
helping others.
A lot of us don't know of his history and what he's given back. We
look at him as a professional golf player, but he has given so much
back to our community that we find out this is a man that cared about
making our country a lot better in giving what he could.
He has donated his design services for the improvement of the course.
He also raised contributions for an additional nine new holes, the
construction of the Rehabilitation and Learning Center, and the upgrade
of the maintenance facilities through a 2-day event called the
``Nicklaus Nine.''
[[Page H1823]]
He also manages a memorial tournament in which proceeds benefit the
programs and services at Nationwide Children's Hospital in his home
State of Ohio, and has raised more than $5.7 million. Jack Nicklaus has
worked with the Nationwide Children's Hospital since 1976 and ensures
the contributions generated through the support of over 2,600
volunteers are distributed each year to the hospital's unrestricted
giving fund.
He also serves as a trustee and a spokesperson for The First Tee, a
program which is dedicated to bringing the game of golf to children who
would otherwise not be exposed to it. These are many children that
can't afford to play golf, but First Tee allows a diversity of
individuals--black, brown, white, Asians, American Indians, Hispanics,
and others--who can't play the game to learn to play the game, be
exposed to the game, and love the game and what it means in teaching
many of the other skills.
{time} 1650
Other organizations that Jack Nicklaus has successfully partnered
with are the For Hope, the James Cancer Hospital, Wolfe Association,
Central Ohio Junior Golf Association, the Shriners, the Lions Club, and
many more.
We thank Jack Nicklaus and his wife, Barbara, and their five
children--Jack II, Steve, Nancy, Gary, and Michael--and his 22
grandchildren for making America a better place.
Jack Nicklaus is one of the most humble athletes to play the game and
is considered by many to be golf royalty. He is royalty in the eyes and
hearts of those that he has helped, and is overall a great human being.
We thank Jack Nicklaus. We thank you for your life's work. You are a
true American, and you have touched the lives of many individuals, an
American deserving of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the PGA
Player of the Year Award, to name just a few other accolades he has
received over the years.
Jack Nicklaus, known as a Golden Bear, deserves to be honored with a
Congressional Gold Medal.
For these reasons, I urge us to support the passage of H.R. 4040, and
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to
the distinguished gentleman from Indiana, one of our senior Members and
most distinguished Members, Mr. Burton.
Mr. BURTON of Indiana. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
First of all, let me say this about Joe. Joe and I have been friends
for a long time and have played golf together, and he is one of the
best sticks around. I have never heard a more thorough conversation
about a person since I've been in Congress. You must have spent weeks
doing this, but you said everything I was going to say, so I'll just
talk about the Jack Nicklaus from what I know of him.
I've been playing golf along with you, Joe, for a long time. One of
the things that I've always wanted to do was to meet the Big Three.
Remember the Big Three: Nicklaus, Player, and Palmer? You did him not
too long ago. And then Lee Trevino. I had the opportunity to meet all
of them but Nicklaus, and I said before I die that I want to meet Jack
Nicklaus.
This year, believe it or not, I was at an airport with my wife, and I
had an opportunity to run into him, and he was one of the nicest guys
that I've ever met. He stopped and took the time to talk to people that
were with us and took pictures with us, and he is just a very good and
friendly guy. There are no airs about him. He is down to Earth. It's
like talking to your next door neighbor. He is a very nice guy.
The things that really appealed to me were the things that you talked
about, Joe. He really cares about his fellow man, and people on the
tour all respect him. There are some members that you have a problem
with; but with him, he's at the very top. In addition to winning 18
majors--to win all of the tournaments that you talked about just
boggles my mind.
So I would just like to say if Jack Nicklaus might be watching
today--I had an opportunity--and I think you have too, Joe--to play
with President George W. Bush. I would say to Jack Nicklaus if he were
here: You really need to teach him how to putt. He's one of the worst
putters I've ever seen.
Mr. President, I hope you'll forgive me for that.
In fact, I want to tell you a little story. We were playing on the
18th hole out at Andrews, and the President had putted so poorly that
he had about a 10-footer left on the last hole, and we gave it to him.
Mr. President, forgive me.
Let me just say it's a real honor to be included with those who are
honoring Jack Nicklaus tonight. He's one of the finest people in
sports. He is a credit to humanity, and he is somebody that every one
of us can look up to.
Mr. Nicklaus, I'm proud to be a part of recognizing you tonight, and
I'm glad you're going to get this gold medal.
Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair reminds Members that remarks must
be addressed to the Chair.
Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to just state that Jack Nicklaus
was not a tall man--he is like me and like many others--but he could
hit the ball a hell of a long ways. It is quite an accomplishment when
you see someone like him that has the rhythm, tempo, and the timing
that can hit the ball. That is an inspiration to many of us that are
not 6 foot and above, but are below 6 foot and can still play the game
of golf because golf is open to everyone. And Jack, along with Arnold
Palmer and Tiger Woods, Lee Trevino and many others, has opened it for
a lot of us.
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the distinguished gentleman
from Florida, one of the younger members of the conference, Mr. Rooney,
such time as he may consume.
Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Jack Nicklaus
Congressional Gold Medal Act, officially recognizing the significant
role Jack Nicklaus has played in promoting athletic excellence and good
sportsmanship in the game of golf, as well as the significant
charitable contributions and activities in our community.
Growing up in north Palm Beach County, I had the pleasure of
attending high school with Mr. Nicklaus' children. Like many good
parents, he was very involved in all school activities, especially
sporting events. I can't recall a game across the State of Florida that
our school was involved in where he wasn't there. He was always up
there in the stands, cheering us on. It's no secret that Jack Nicklaus
is widely regarded as the most accomplished professional golfer to ever
play the game. But to us, we just saw him as a devoted husband to
Barbara and an excellent father of Jackie, Steve, Nan, Gary, and Mike,
and now lots of grandchildren.
He is also a philanthropist, as has been stated, who has worked
tirelessly to help underserved children and their families in Palm
Beach County and across the State of Florida. Through his charitable
foundation, Mr. Nicklaus has raised more than $12 million for
children's health services. He has also done a lot for warfighters and
veterans recovering after returning home from war.
I am proud to cosponsor this legislation to honor Jack Nicklaus, a
truly great American, and for his many charitable efforts and for his
contributions to the State of Florida and to American society and
culture. I consider myself blessed to personally know him and his
family.
I want to say thank you to Congressman Baca from California for his
leadership in getting cosponsors for this bill. He worked very hard.
Mr. LUETKEMEYER. I thank the sponsor of the bill, Mr. Baca, for his
hard work.
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Luetkemeyer) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4040.
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. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
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