[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5166]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO ARNOLD PALMER'S 50TH MASTERS TOURNAMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHARLIE NORWOOD

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 24, 2004

  Mr. NORWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Arnold 
Palmer for his service to our Nation, the game of golf and the Masters 
Tournament. In the world of sports there are few events that epitomize 
the beauty and grace of sport more than the Masters Tournament in 
Augusta, GA. And there are no other individuals who have done more for 
the game of golf and the Masters Tournament than Arnold Palmer.
  Quite frankly, Arnold Palmer has forever changed the complexion of 
sport and golf. Golf was considered to be the sport of the privileged 
few until 1955 when Arnold Palmer won his first PGA tournament. But, 
Arnold Palmer showed the world that golf truly is a sport for the 
masses. Today, golf is played and enjoyed by millions of people.
  Not only did Arnold Palmer inspire millions to play the game of golf, 
he also excelled at it. He has gone on to amass a record that would be 
the envy of any man alive. Arnold's victory total stands at 92 World 
Wide, 61 PGA Tour, and 10 Senior PGA Tour events. He was the first to 
ever win four Masters titles. He did this in 1958, 1960, 1962, and 
1964. This April 8, 2004, Arnold Palmer will tee the ball up in his 
50th Masters Tournament.
  But Arnold Palmer's achievements and contributions to the game remain 
greater than his victory total. Arnold Palmer's magnetic personality 
and unwavering kindness have created a legion of loyal followers. He 
has never failed to acknowledge his ``army'' while waiting on the tee, 
fairway, or green. Be it an autograph, smile, nod, or eye-to-eye 
contact, he never fails to make the effort to let everyone know: I am 
here because of you.
  Arnold Palmer has also given a great deal back to the community. 
Arnold helped create The Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & Women in 
Orlando, FL, and the Latrobe Area Hospital Charitable Foundation. Even 
today, he often visits the hospital where he takes the time to talk 
with the children, take pictures and encourage them.
  As Arnold Palmer once said to ``Iron Man,'' his Augusta caddie, ``the 
game is on.'' Mr. Speaker, let's hope it will forever be. I rise today 
to thank Mr. Palmer on behalf of all American citizens, the residents 
of Augusta and fans of golf worldwide. He has meant a great deal to 
more people than he will ever know.

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