[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 8636-8637]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING ZACH JOHNSON ON HIS VICTORY IN THE 2007 MASTERS GOLF 
                               TOURNAMENT

  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to consideration of S. Res. 145, which was submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       The resolution (S. Res. 145) congratulating Zach Johnson on 
     his victory in the 2007 Masters golf tournament.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I am pleased today to have the fortunate 
opportunity to recognize and congratulate a fellow Iowan on a 
magnificent achievement. On Sunday, 31-year-old Zach Johnson won the 
prestigious Masters golf tournament at the famed Augusta National Golf 
Club in Augusta, GA. I am joined by my colleague, Senator Harkin, in 
submitting a Senate resolution congratulating Zach for his victory.
  Zach not only won one of the most difficult golf tournaments in the 
world, he also won quite possibly one of the most difficult of all the 
Masters' tournaments in history. Gusting winds and bitterly cold 
weather combined with the traditional challenges of the golf course to 
create one of the toughest tournaments. His winning score of one-over-
par 289 tied the highest winning score in Masters history. In the 
process, he beat fellow golf champions

[[Page 8637]]

Tiger Woods and Retief Goosen by two-strokes.
  Zach was born in Iowa City and grew up in Cedar Rapids, playing golf 
at Elmcrest Country Club in Cedar Rapids. He went on to play golf at 
Drake University in Des Moines, graduating in 1998. To continue his 
pursuits as a professional golfer, Zach counted on the support of 
family and friends in Cedar Rapids who believed in him. His success 
didn't happen overnight; his dedication to the game and his hard work 
ethic helped him earn the prized green jacket.
  Even in the aftermath of winning one of golf's highest achievements, 
he remained humble in his acceptance. He attributed much of his success 
to his perseverance and patience. He recognized his family and friends 
who believed in him even when he wasn't so sure himself, and as a man 
of faith he knew there was another power guiding him.
  Through it all, he continued to insist that he's just a normal guy 
from Cedar Rapids, IA. I am proud of Zach Johnson for his brilliant 
win, and I am proud of him as an Iowan. I know Iowans are honored and 
blessed to have a person like Zach Johnson representing us in the world 
of professional golf. So I congratulate him on his outstanding victory, 
and I wish him and his family all the best.
  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 145) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 145

       Whereas, on April 8, 2007, Zach Johnson, a native Iowan, 
     won the Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club 
     in Augusta, Georgia;
       Whereas, the Masters has been won by some of golf's 
     greatest champions, including Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Ben 
     Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger 
     Woods, Phil Mickelson, and many others;
       Whereas, Zach Johnson's final round of three-under-par 69 
     for a total score of 289 was two strokes better than that of 
     any other competitor;
       Whereas, in a final day on which six different players led, 
     Zach Johnson showed great skill, patience and will to 
     withstand the challenge of the weather and the course;
       Whereas, Zach Johnson is the first Iowan to win the 
     Masters, and the first Iowan to win a major championship in 
     golf since Jack Fleck's playoff victory over Ben Hogan in the 
     1955 U.S. Open; and
       Whereas, Zach Johnson has brought great pride and honor to 
     his family, friends, and the citizens of Iowa with his 
     victory: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate congratulates Zach Johnson on his 
     outstanding accomplishment in winning the 2007 Masters golf 
     tournament.

  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, as long as I do have the floor, I thought 
I might at least talk about the resolution we just considered, S. Res. 
145. Senator Grassley and I cosponsored it. It is congratulating Zach 
Johnson on his victory in the 2007 Masters tournament. Basically, I 
might as well read it. It is not that long:

                              S. Res. 145

       Whereas, on April 8, 2007, Zach Johnson, a native Iowan, 
     won the Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club 
     in Augusta, Georgia;
       Whereas, the Masters has been won by some of golf's 
     greatest champions, including Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Ben 
     Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger 
     Woods, Phil Mickelson, and many others;
       Whereas, Zach Johnson's final round of three-under-par 69 
     for a total score of 289 was two strokes better than that of 
     any other competitor;
       Whereas, in a final day on which six different players led, 
     Zach Johnson showed great skill, patience and will to 
     withstand the challenge of the weather and the course;
       Whereas, Zach Johnson is the first Iowan to win the 
     Masters, and the first Iowan to win a major championship in 
     golf since Jack Fleck's playoff victory over Ben Hogan in the 
     1955 U.S. Open; and
       Whereas, Zach Johnson has brought great pride and honor to 
     his family, friends, and the citizens of Iowa with his 
     victory: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate congratulates Zach Johnson on his 
     outstanding accomplishment in winning the 2007 Masters golf 
     tournament.

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