[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[House]
[Pages 5954-5955]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              LARRY NELSON

  Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to claim the 
Special Order time of the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kennedy).
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Georgia?
  There was no objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a friend and a

[[Page 5955]]

fellow Georgian Larry Nelson, who, after years of hard work and 
success, has been elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame this year.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to call my colleagues' attention to this picture 
of Larry at my left. Look at that picture-perfect swing. I can only 
dream about that.
  Larry Nelson, indeed, is an inspired golfer and an inspirational 
athlete. Throughout his successful 36-year career, Larry has risen to 
the top of his game, and he has remained there while racking up victory 
after victory. In the last 32 years on the PGA and the Champions tours, 
Larry has won 10 events, including 3 majors. His career is highlighted 
by his PGA championships in 1981, 1987, and his 1983 win at the United 
States Open. He is also a three-time member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team.
  Larry's place among golf's greatest is well deserved. During the 
earlier part of his career in the 1980s, there were only three other 
golfers besides Larry who managed to win three major tournaments: Jack 
Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and Seve Ballesteros.

                              {time}  2030

  Larry Nelson undoubtedly belongs with these legends of golf.
  We often hear of self-made men, and Larry is certainly one of them. 
Mr. Speaker, as a sergeant in the United States Army during the Vietnam 
conflict, golf was not even a blip on his radar screen. In fact, he 
said he thought it was a game for sissies. Indeed. But upon his return 
to the States from Vietnam, Larry found himself drawn to golf. One day 
he noticed a golf center across the street from the Lockheed Martin 
plant in my hometown where he worked. Thus, the Sam Snead Golf Center 
in Marietta, Georgia, became the first training ground for his new 
passion.
  For Larry, golf came naturally. He broke 100 on his first round. That 
is a little discouraging to me, Mr. Speaker. In this recent time in the 
district, I found one day to go out on the golf course, and I don't 
think I broke 150. But Larry broke 100 on that very first round, and 
enjoyed it. He said this many times, he enjoyed dedicating himself to 
the techniques and strategy of the game. Indeed, the qualities that it 
takes for victory and success, that determination and the hard work, 
that has to be put in every day. As Larry told the Atlanta Journal-
Constitution, ``I fell in love with it, and I got better every day.''
  His humbleness aside, Larry was dedicated to his game, and he worked 
hard to achieve those goals. He graduated from qualifying school in 
1973; and by 1979, just 6 years later, he had already won his first PGA 
tour victory, capturing the Jackie Gleason Inverrary Classic.
  Larry Nelson's career saw some amazing highlights. In 2000, he 
finished number one on the tour. I repeat, Mr. Speaker, he finished 
number one on the tour, and he was named the Champions Tour Player of 
the Year. Larry won a total of 19 tournaments; and, listen to this, he 
finished second 24 times. Just think about how difficult that is, to 
finish second in a major tournament.
  He was never one to brag about his accomplishments, but anyone who 
looks at Larry Nelson's career knows that it has been outstanding.
  Mr. Speaker, when Larry is inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame 
in St. Augustine this October, he will assume his place among golf's 
greatest. This is the 11th year Larry has been on the Hall of Fame 
ballot, and I know many golf lovers join me in saying it is about time. 
I am so pleased Larry's accomplishments are receiving the distinction 
that they so much deserve.
  Larry Nelson's life and career serve as an inspiration to all of us 
in any walk of life, an inspiration to pursue new interests and work to 
achieve the highest levels of success through faith in one's God-given 
talents, and Larry indeed has that gift.
  When he was recently asked about how much longer he would be a 
golfer, Larry replied that he will keep playing as long as he enjoys 
it. Knowing Larry's love for the game, I predict we will get to see his 
successes for some time to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and all of my colleagues join me in 
congratulating Larry Nelson on his past accomplishments and his present 
induction into the Golf Hall of Fame.

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