[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 6]
[House]
[Pages 7361-7364]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               BYRON NELSON CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT

  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 4902) to award a Congressional gold medal to Byron Nelson in 
recognition of his significant contributions to the game of golf as a 
player, a teacher, and a commentator.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4902

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Byron Nelson Congressional 
     Gold Medal Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds as follows:
       (1) Byron Nelson was a top player in the sport of golf 
     during the World War II era and his accomplishments as a 
     player, a teacher, and commentator are renowned.
       (2) Byron Nelson won 54 career victories, including a 
     record 11 in a row in 1945, during his short 13-year career.
       (3) Byron Nelson won 5 majors, including 2 Masters (1937 
     and 1942), two Professional Golf Association (PGA) 
     Championships (1940 and 1945) and the U.S. Open (1939).
       (4) Sports journalist Bill Nichols recently ranked the 
     greatest seasons on the PGA tour for The Dallas Morning News 
     and picked Roanoke, Texas-resident Byron Nelson's 1945 tour 
     as the greatest season of golf in American history.
       (5) In 1945, Byron Nelson accumulated 18 total victories, 
     11 of which were consecutive, while averaging 68.33 strokes 
     per round for 30 tournaments.
       (6) At the Seattle Open in 1945, Byron Nelson shot a record 
     62 for 18 holes and the world record 259, 29 shots under par 
     for 72 holes.
       (7) Byron Nelson is one of only two golfers to be named 
     ``Male Athlete of the Year'' twice by the Associated Press: 
     in 1944, when he won 7 tournaments and averaged 69.67 strokes 
     for 85 rounds, and again after his 1945 season.
       (8) The World Golf Hall of Fame honored Byron Nelson in 
     2004 by featuring an exhibit entitled ``Byron Nelson: A 
     Champion . . . A Gentleman''.
       (9) Byron Nelson was selected for the Ryder Cup 4 times--in 
     1937, 1939, 1947 and 1965, and on that last occasion he led 
     the United States Ryder Cup team as team captain to victory 
     over Great Britain.
       (10) Byron Nelson was also a pioneer in the golf business, 
     helping to develop the golf shoes and umbrellas used today.
       (11) In 1966, True Temper created the ``Iron Byron'' robot 
     to replicate Byron Nelson's swing in order to test the 
     company's equipment, but the robot was eventually used for 
     club and ball testing by the United States Golf Association 
     (USGA) and many other manufacturing companies.
       (12) Byron Nelson mentored many golf hopefuls, including 
     1964 Player of the Year Ken Venturi and 6-time PGA Player of 
     the Year Tom Watson.
       (13) Byron Nelson was one of the first golf analysts on 
     network television where his understanding of the game in 
     general, and the golf swing in particular, was demonstrably 
     profound.
       (14) Byron Nelson received the United States Golf 
     Association's Bob Jones Award for distinguished sportsmanship 
     in golf in 1974.
       (15) In 1974, the Golf Writers Association of America 
     presented Byron Nelson with the Richardson Award for 
     consistently outstanding contributions to golf.
       (16) Since 1983, the Byron and Louise Nelson Golf Endowment 
     Fund has provided over $1,500,000 in endowment funds to 
     Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas.
       (17) Byron Nelson received the PGA Distinguished Service 
     Award in 1993. This award is presented to an individual who 
     has helped perpetuate the ideals and values of the PGA.
       (18) Byron Nelson has served as an honorary chairperson for 
     the Metroport Meals on Wheels since 1992.
       (19) In 1994, the Golf Course Superintendents Association 
     of America presented Byron Nelson with the Old Tom Morris 
     Award for outstanding contributions to the game.
       (20) Byron Nelson helped to develop the Tournament Players 
     Course (TPC) Four Seasons at Los Colinas, Texas, site of the 
     EDS Byron Nelson Championship and the Byron Nelson Golf 
     School, into a world-class facility.
       (21) The EDS Byron Nelson Championship is the only PGA tour 
     event named in honor of a professional golfer and 
     traditionally attracts the strongest players in the sport.
       (22) Since its inception, the EDS Byron Nelson Championship 
     has raised $88,000,000 for Salesmanship Club Youth and Family 
     Centers, a nonprofit agency that provides education and 
     mental health services for more than 2,700 children and their 
     families in the greater Dallas area.
       (23) In 2002, Byron Nelson received the prestigious Donald 
     Ross Award from the American Society of Golf Course 
     Architects (ASGCA) for his significant contribution to the 
     game of golf and the profession of golf course architecture.
       (24) The United States Golf Association presented Byron 
     Nelson the Ike Grainger Award for volunteer service to the 
     game of golf in 2002.
       (25) In 2002, the National Golf Foundation presented Byron 
     Nelson with the Graffis Award for outstanding lifelong 
     contributions to the game of golf.

     SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

       (a) Presentation Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate 
     shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on 
     behalf of the Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design 
     to Byron Nelson in recognition of his significant 
     contributions to the game of golf as a player, a teacher, and 
     a commentator.
       (b) Design and Striking.--For purposes of the presentation 
     referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury 
     (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'')

[[Page 7362]]

     shall strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and 
     inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.

     SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

       The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of 
     the gold medal struck pursuant to section 3 under such 
     regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, at a price 
     sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including labor, 
     materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses, and 
     the cost of the gold medal.

     SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS.

       (a) National Medals.--The medals struck pursuant to this 
     Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 
     31, United States Code.
       (b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of 
     title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this 
     Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.

     SEC. 6. AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.

       (a) Authority to Use Fund Amounts.--There is authorized to 
     be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise 
     Fund, such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs 
     of the medals struck pursuant to this Act.
       (b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sale of 
     duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 4 shall be 
     deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Renzi) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.
  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4902, the Byron Nelson 
Congressional Gold Medal Act, sponsored by my friend from Texas (Mr. 
Burgess).
  Mr. Speaker, while most people know Byron Nelson's significant 
contributions to the game of golf, it is his humanitarian and 
philanthropic activities that make him worthy of receiving this medal. 
The highest civilian honor Congress can bestow is this gold medal.
  Mr. Nelson is a golf champion, but he is also a champion for the 
underprivileged. He has given his time, his talent and his treasure to 
make this world a better place. Through the EDS Byron Nelson 
Championship, Mr. Nelson has helped raise more than $88 million for the 
Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers, a nonprofit agency that 
provides education and mental health services to more than 2,700 
children and their families throughout our Nation.
  Additional, the Byron and Louise Nelson Golf Endowment Fund has 
provided more than $1.5 million in endowment funding to Abilene 
Christian University in Abilene, Texas.
  Further, since 1992, Mr. Nelson has been the honorary chairman of the 
Metroport Meals on Wheels which provides daily home delivery of hot 
lunches for the frail, elderly and chronically ill residents of Texas.
  Mr. Speaker, Byron Nelson is a legend in the game of golf, much noted 
for his unprecedented 11 consecutive wins in 1945, his five victories 
at major tournaments, and his overall 54 career victories.
  Byron Nelson is one of the greatest players the game of golf has ever 
seen. Through his outstanding accomplishments as a golfer and a 
humanitarian, Byron Nelson has provided and shown us what it is to be a 
United States citizen.
  The time has come for Congress to bestow on this gentleman an honor 
worthy of his lifelong accomplishments and what he has put forth to 
improve the lives of those who are less privileged.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I stand in strong support of H.R. 4902, the Byron Nelson 
Congressional Gold Medal Act. We are honoring Byron Nelson for his 
accomplishments in golf. He truly has set a legacy, not only for those 
of us who have watched golf, but have participated in golf and have 
seen him during this period of time.
  He is a true champion. He is a teacher, he is a course designer, and 
he is a commentator. But most of all, he brought integrity to the game 
of golf. For those of us that play the game, we aspire to be like him. 
Some of us would love to shoot the rounds that he has. And some of us 
will probably never do that. But at least we have those dreams and the 
hopes that one day we can achieve what he has achieved.
  I know that for many youth he has been a positive role model and he 
has set a good example. In addition, he has given back to the community 
by supporting nonprofit agencies in the greater Dallas area.
  Byron Nelson was also a top player in the sport of golf during the 
World War II era. He grew up near Ft. Worth, Texas, and first got 
involved in golf as a caddy. And that is inspiration when we see many 
of the movies that have occurred where caddies ultimately became, then, 
professional golfers.
  And when you see someone, and someone is caddying, you also learn how 
to hit the ball, pick up the club, give directions and learn just the 
course management and the integrity of the game itself.
  He did this at a local club at Glen Garden Country Club. In fact, 
among the other caddies that were there was Ben Hogan, another 
individual that we admire very much, who also became a champion golfer. 
But in 1927, Byron Nelson competed against Ben Hogan in the club's 
caddy championship, and he, Byron Nelson, won that match.
  In 1944, he won seven tournaments, averaging 69.67 strokes for 85 
rounds. Can you imagine what that is like? And the average is 72 per 
course. That means three strokes under, that he accomplished during 
that period of time.
  And like I said, I only shoot a round once in a while of 68, but 
never on a consistent basis, and for someone to do it on a consistent 
basis for 85 rounds is very difficult. He was named Male Athlete of the 
Year, but he would be even better than that.
  In 1945 Byron Nelson had what is still considered today the best 
season ever by a male golfer. He won 18 different tournaments that 
year, including a remarkable 11 in a row at one point. And that is 
something that you do not even see in a lot of the eras that are here 
today.
  That season he averaged 68.33 strokes per round for 31 tournaments. 
Again, imagine, 31 tournaments going under 72.
  At the Seattle Open in 1945, he shot a record of 62, and that is 
something that I dream about. I probably will never accomplish in my 
life, but one day, in my dreams I will shoot a 62 and under for 18 
holes, and a 259 and a 29 shots under for 72 holes.
  In 1945, the AP again named him Male Athlete of the Year. Only two 
golfers have received that honor twice. He was selected for the Ryder 
Cup four times, in 1937, 1939, 1947, and again in 1965, when he led the 
American team to victory over the Britons.
  Byron Nelson won five majors, including the Masters twice, 1937 and 
1942; the Professional Golf Association PGA, that really stands for 
posture, grip and alignment, Championship twice, in 1940 and 1945; and 
the U.S. Open once in 1939.
  He won a total of 54 victories during his short 13-year career. He 
retired from full-time competition in golf at the age of 34 to buy a 
ranch in his native Texas. Can you imagine what he would have done on 
the Senior Tour if he would have continued to golf, and if it was 
available for him to have participated? He would have probably added 
additional tournaments on the Senior Tour, as well, but he decided to 
retire at the young age of 34.
  After his playing days were over, Byron Nelson continued to 
contribute to golf. He served as a coach, as a mentor to other players, 
including Tom Watson, and as a role model for many individuals. He has 
also shared his knowledge of the sport as a television analyst.
  Byron Nelson also was a pioneer in the golf business, helping to 
develop golf shoes and umbrellas used today. Of course, I bought a 
couple of his golf shoes, a couple of his umbrellas that I still use on 
rainy days.
  He has helped design world class golf courses. Byron Nelson also 
helped to develop the Tournament Players Course, TPC, Four Seasons at 
Las Colinas in Texas into a world-class facility. That course is the 
home of the

[[Page 7363]]

Byron Nelson Classic, and Byron Nelson's Golf School.
  The Byron Nelson Classic is the only PGA tour event named in honor of 
a professional golfer, and traditionally attracts the strongest players 
in sports.
  The Byron Nelson Classic has raised a total of $82 million for the 
Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers, a nonprofit agency that 
provides education and mental health services for almost 3,000 children 
and their families in the greater Dallas area.
  So we are honored, not only to have a great golfer but a good man and 
a man whose legacy will live on because he has contributed an awful lot 
to the sport of golf and contributed as a role model, too.
  In the spirit of celebration, I have also introduced a separate piece 
of legislation that will honor the achievements of Arnold Palmer and 
Tiger Woods, each of whom has excelled in golf and has contributed to 
the public through significant charitable work, and both have served as 
role models and inspiration to many others.
  Arnold Palmer once commented, ``Byron Nelson's accomplishment is a 
thing on the pro tour that will never be seen and will never be 
approached again''. So it is with pride that we stand in honor of one 
of the true great heroes of golf. And his legacy will live on forever; 
that is Byron Nelson.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, I express my strong support for this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for 
that tribute, and I yield to the author of the bill for as much time as 
he may consume, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess).
  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Arizona for 
bringing this bill to the floor. I thank the gentleman from California 
for his recollection of the deeds and the triumphs of Byron Nelson.
  Back in Texas, we know Byron Nelson by many terms: gifted athlete, 
philanthropist, and today, thanks to their efforts, we are going to 
know him by what he really is, a national treasure.

                              {time}  1515

  He is a philanthropist. He is a gentleman who just happens to be an 
excellent golfer. In fact, it is Byron Nelson who provided the marriage 
between unparalleled athleticism and unparalleled philanthropy.
  I first became aware of Byron Nelson as a child growing up in north 
Texas. I am not a golfer nor have I ever pretended to be, but my mother 
was. My mother was a fan of ``Lord Byron'' back in the 1950s. And so 
much of it was not because he was a famous golfer, but because of the 
gentleman that Mr. Nelson was.
  As I grew older, I continued to hear of the wonderful giving nature 
of Mr. Nelson. He continually seeks to help his fellow man. Over the 
decades, he did not promote the game of golf; he embodied a life of 
service. He was and is today the most humble of men. Some of you may 
not know of all the great humanitarian efforts he has championed, but 
that is because the man himself shuns recognition for his generosity. 
And the school that the gentleman from California and the gentleman 
from Arizona referenced that the Salesmanship Club sponsors down in 
Texas, I have visited that school. It not only serves the children 
there, but it serves as a template, a model for other schools around 
the Nation. It is a living research laboratory for the right way to 
teach children.
  Mr. Nelson has never limited giving of himself and encouraging others 
to do the same when it comes to helping others. His charitable work 
with the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, the Metroport Meals on Wheels, 
and the creation of an endowment scholarship fund are but a few of his 
leadership roles.
  Thrust into the national scene in the 1930s and 1940s for his golf 
prowess, Mr. Nelson took a sport and helped to move it into the 
philanthropic giant that it is today. Since 1938, the PGA tour 
tournaments have provided over $1 billion for their local charities.
  The Byron Nelson Championship, which is played this week in Irving, 
Texas, is the only PGA tour that is named for a specific player. The 
EDS Byron Nelson Championship has raised over $88 million for the 
Salesmanship Club of Dallas since 1968, and I believe with the ticket 
sales this year are going to be very close to the $100 million mark.
  So why is Byron Nelson the only golfer to have a tournament named 
after him? Because Mr. Nelson represents the adage, ``sportsmanship 
then victory.'' He understood that helping others was the only way to 
true victory in life.
  Mr. Speaker, we lost my mother a couple of years ago; but in her 
library I found a book, a book that Mr. Nelson wrote and published in 
1995. In it he describes many different facets and philosophies that 
have influenced him over the years, and I would like to take a moment 
to highlight a passage that I believe depicts the true character of 
Byron Nelson, a character that is infused with his kindness, generosity 
and his humility. He borrows a philosophy from his days playing golf 
and applies it to life.
  Under the chapter called ``Sportsmanship'' from the golf tournament 
in 1941 says: ``Perhaps more than any other sport, golf remains a game 
of etiquette and sportsmanship. Golfers are expected to abide by a 
traditional set of rules and that sometimes means either accepting a 
strange ruling that works against you or calling a penalty on yourself, 
even when no one else has witnessed the indiscretion. That's why they 
say golf is truly a game of character.''
  Byron understands that it is not what people see you do that truly 
matters, but that you know your worth and you have done what you can do 
to help others in this world. You are worth what you give back to the 
world.
  Most Members of Congress come here not to be show horses, but to make 
a difference in society. Byron was not a leader in humanitarian causes 
that raised millions for families for the glory. Far from it. He shied 
away from acknowledgment of his work; but I believe, and so do over 300 
Members of this House, that the time has come to recognize the true 
giving nature of Byron Nelson by nominating him for the Congressional 
Gold Medal.
  This generous man has been giving back to America for over 90 years; 
and in recognition of these efforts, I am honored to bring forth H.R. 
4902, to award Byron Nelson, my constituent, the Congressional Gold 
Medal.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to add that not only did he touch the lives 
of many individuals, as I stated before as a positive role model, but 
he gave of himself and he gave of himself to the community; and that is 
important when someone plays the game with integrity and character that 
sets positive examples for many of our youth. And if you look at Byron 
Nelson's contribution on the golf course and off the golf course, he 
truly is an example that all of us should follow. His integrity and his 
legacy will live forever. I urge everyone to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California. Mr. Speaker, I 
have a good friend in Flagstaff, Arizona, a guy named Joe Galli who is 
a terrific golfer himself and he was kind enough just to inform me that 
my neighbor in Flagstaff is PGA pro Ted Purdy. He was the 2005 Byron 
Nelson Classic champion last year. He defends that title this year. So 
from Flagstaff, Arizona, I want to thank you for allowing me to manage 
this bill today.
  It is certainly exemplary of the fine spirit, that generosity, that 
philanthropic endeavor that this gentleman has given to our Nation. So 
I congratulate the Nelson family.
  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation, 
authored by the gentleman from Texas.
  It's no secret that I enjoy the game of golf, and it's no secret that 
I admire the achievements of the greats of the game, and Byron Nelson 
certainly is one of those greats. In fact, he's something of a legend 
of the game.

[[Page 7364]]

  Much noted for his unprecedented winning streak in 1945, for his five 
victories at major tournaments, and for his overall 54 career 
victories, it is not an overstatement to call Byron Nelson one of the 
greatest players the game has ever seen. He was twice named ``Male 
Athlete of the Year'' by the Associated Press, a feat only accomplished 
by one other golfer, Tiger Woods. Additionally, Byron Nelson was 
selected for the Ryder Cup four times, leading the United States team 
as Captain to victory over Great Britain in 1965.
  He is also the only PGA professional golfer to have a PGA tour named 
in his honor: the EDS Byron Nelson Championship. The World Golf Hall of 
Fame honored Byron Nelson in 2004 by featuring an exhibit entitled 
``Byron Nelson: A Champion . . . A Gentleman.'' Byron Nelson's 
accomplishments as a professional golfer are as impressive as his golf 
swing, and an inspiration to us all.
  Just as impressive are his achievements off the links. They already 
have been well-detailed here, but suffice it to say that Byron Nelson 
is the perfect example of the unselfish sports hero, the sort of hero 
that I and a lot of others wish there were more of, in every sport.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, let me just say that I support this 
legislation, and that I urge its immediate passage.
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a man who 
is a living legend to golf, Byron Nelson.
  Throughout his career, this Native Texan has exhibited sportsmanship 
and a competitive drive unparalleled by most athletes.
  In 1945, Byron Nelson achieved 11 simultaneous wins--a record that 
stands today.
  He has won the Masters twice, the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. 
He was also the first winner of the Shell Houston Open in 1946.
  He has been named ``Male Athlete of the Year'' twice by the Associate 
Press, and led the U.S. to defeat Great Britain to win the Ryder Cup in 
1965.
  While these accomplishments are impressive, Byron Nelson is also 
known as a great philanthropist.
  The Byron Nelson golf tournament has raised well over $88 million to 
provide educational and mental health services to thousands of children 
and their families.
  In addition, he has been involved as an honorary chairperson of Meals 
on Wheels for the Dallas Metroplex area.
  I believe Byron Nelson exhibits the qualities worthy of a 
Congressional Gold Medal.
  His accomplishments on the golf course are impressive, but his 
commitment to improving and helping his community over several decades 
speaks to his character.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and grant Byron 
Nelson the Congressional Gold Medal.
  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 4902.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________