[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 129 (Wednesday, September 10, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H7399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING ARNOLD PALMER ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 85TH BIRTHDAY
(Mr. MURPHY of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to address
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize a
true American treasure and one of my constituents who still spends his
summer months in his native Youngstown, Pennsylvania, Arnold Palmer.
Today, Arnold celebrates his 85th birthday, and he continues to serve
as an inspiration to me and the millions who make up ``Arnie's Army.''
Arnold rose from humble beginnings and has achieved remarkable things
in his life. Taught the game of golf at the age of 3 by his father,
Deacon, who was the golf pro at Latrobe Country Club, Arnold made a
name for himself in the amateur ranks. His promising collegiate career
was cut short when he enlisted in the Coast Guard in honor of a friend
who died. After he fulfilled his military service, Arnold returned to
Wake Forest and won the U.S. Amateur Championship in 1954.
Arnold's achievements on the golf course are nothing short of
legendary: seven-time major champion; 1960 and 1962 PGA Player of the
Year; and 92 overall professional victories.
Perhaps Arnold's most enduring legacy, however, lies in his decades
of philanthropic work. Over the years, he has raised millions of
dollars for the Latrobe-area hospital for charitable care. He helped to
build a 30,000-square-foot cancer center and sponsored construction of
a nature preserve for all of Westmoreland County to enjoy.
Mr. Speaker, I am honored to call Arnold Palmer a son of western
Pennsylvania, as well as my friend, and I ask that all Members wish him
a very happy birthday.
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