[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 112 (Tuesday, July 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING CITI OPEN TENNIS TOURNAMENT

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 12, 2016

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing the Citi Open Tennis 
Tournament, taking place July 16-24, 2016, in Rock Creek Park, and to 
recognize these dates as ``Tennis Week'' in the District of Columbia. 
All are invited to attend the 48th installment of this Washington 
tennis tradition, a cultural, economic, and community staple in the 
region.
  The tennis tournament, now known as the Citi Open Tennis Tournament, 
was founded in 1969 by tennis legend and Hall of Famer Donald Dell, 
along with business partner John Harris, with the support of Arthur 
Ashe. Mr. Ashe declared he would participate in the inaugural 
tournament under two conditions: the tournament would take place in a 
naturally integrated neighborhood, and it would be played on public 
land where all people could come together, enjoy the sport, and share 
the experience. Today, the tournament remains in its original location 
on 16th & Kennedy Streets NW, in Rock Creek Park.
  In 1972, Mr. Dell gave the tournament sanction to the Washington 
Tennis & Education Foundation (then called the Washington Area Tennis 
Patrons Foundation), a nonprofit organization supporting local 
education causes for over 1,200 low-income and underserved children.
  The Citi Open Tennis Tournament draws the best players in the world, 
making D.C. a global tennis destination. The tournament is also seen on 
television in 182 countries. A 2015 economic impact study found that 
the estimated total gross impact of the Citi Open on the regional 
economy is more than $28.2 million. The tournament is the only 
Association of Tennis Professionals 500 level event in the United 
States, and it is one of only four professional tennis tournaments 
combining men's and women's events. It is also recognized as an 
international level tournament by the Women's Tennis Association.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
recognizing ``Tennis Week in the District of Columbia'' for the Citi 
Open Tennis Tournament, celebrated July 16-24.

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