[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14722]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            CONGRATULATING CHAMPION GOLFER MICHAEL CAMPBELL

  Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to speak to a resolution I 
will submit honoring a true champion. I rise today out of two 
affections in my life: one for the land of New Zealand, and another 
grows out of my enjoyment of the game of golf.
  Ten days ago, on June 19, Michael Campbell became the first New 
Zealander to win one of the United States Golf Association's major 
championships in 43 years, besting a field of the world's most talented 
golfers.
  Mr. Campbell showed great perseverance and mettle throughout the 
Open, mastering an immensely challenging course. He was also the first 
player to come from behind to win a U.S. Open in 7 years.
  Mr. Campbell's win is yet another chapter in a proud tradition of 
excellence in international sports for New Zealand.
  The Kiwis have won two of the last three America's Cup yacht races 
and netted three gold and two silver medals at last summer's Olympic 
Games in Athens.
  The competitive spirit and success of these athletes is reflective of 
the bravery and skill of New Zealand's indigenous seagoing explorers, 
the Maori, of whom Michael Campbell is a descendent.
  Mr. Campbell's victory in the U.S. Open also provides us with the 
opportunity to reflect on our relationship with New Zealand and at the 
same time to shape the future of our friendship.
  Staunch allies in the two World Wars in the 20th century, New Zealand 
and its people have made tremendous sacrifices and heroic efforts to 
help protect freedom and democracy in the world.
  Those efforts continue today, as New Zealand contributes regularly to 
international peacekeeping operations, remains steadfast in their 
alliance in the fight against terrorism, and has helped to reconstruct 
a new, democratic Iraq.
  Even though there have been some bumps in the road--the deterioration 
of the Australia-New Zealand-United States alliance comes to mind--New 
Zealand has been a great friend and an enduring ally over the years.
  It is my hope that we will continue to foster this friendship.
  On that note, I commend Michael Campbell and the nation of New 
Zealand for this momentous victory and express arohanui to the peoples 
of Aotearoa, our friends in the Land of the Long White Cloud.

                          ____________________