[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 12610-12612]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            CONGRATULATING AND RECOGNIZING CHI-CHI RODRIGUEZ

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1029) congratulating and recognizing 
Mr. Juan Antonio ``Chi-Chi'' Rodriguez for his continued success on and 
off of the golf course, for his generosity and devotion to charity, and 
for his exemplary dedication to the intellectual and moral growth of 
thousands of low-income and disadvantaged youth in our country, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1029

       Whereas sports figures, through their perseverance, 
     discipline, and good behavior, can serve as examples of 
     excellence, dedication, and devotion to our youth;

[[Page 12611]]

       Whereas Chi-Chi Rodriguez was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto 
     Rico, on October 23, 1935, to an agricultural laborer and a 
     housekeeper;
       Whereas Chi-Chi joined the ranks of golf professionals at 
     the age of 24, reportedly standing at 5 foot seven inches and 
     weighing 117 pounds;
       Whereas Chi-Chi Rodriguez had a stellar career in the sport 
     of golf, earning an impressive record of 38 professional 
     wins, including 8 PGA Tour wins and 22 Senior PGA Tour wins;
       Whereas his Senior Tour records for most consecutive 
     victories, at 4, and most consecutive birdies, at 8, still 
     stand;
       Whereas in 1979, Chi-Chi Rodriguez helped create the Chi-
     Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation, and the Chi-Chi Rodriguez 
     Academy in Clearwater, Florida, which help thousands of low-
     income and disadvantaged youth reach their life potential 
     through educational opportunities and support programs;
       Whereas in 1986, the Chi-Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation was 
     awarded the National Golf Foundation's Award for Best Youth 
     Program in the United States and the Robie Award for 
     Humanitarianism presented by the Jackie Robinson Foundation;
       Whereas Chi-Chi Rodriguez was recognized by the Points of 
     Light Foundation for its youth and community service efforts;
       Whereas Chi-Chi Rodriguez and the FBI Agents Association 
     have organized the Chi-Chi Rodriguez G-Man Desert Shootout 
     Tournament to raise funds for college scholarships for the 
     children of FBI agents killed in the line of duty;
       Whereas in 1989, the United States Golf Association granted 
     Chi-Chi Rodriguez its highest honor, the Bob Jones Award, in 
     recognition for his distinguished sportsmanship in golf;
       Whereas in 1994, Chi-Chi Rodriguez was inducted to the 
     first class of the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame;
       Whereas in 1992, Chi-Chi Rodriguez was inducted to the 
     World Golf Hall of Fame;
       Whereas in 1973, Chi-Chi Rodriguez was a member of the U.S. 
     team that won the Ryder Cup in Muirfield, Scotland;
       Whereas in 1981, Chi-Chi Rodriguez was selected by the 
     Northern Ohio Golf Charities as its first Ambassador of Golf;
       Whereas Chi-Chi Rodriguez has received countless other 
     distinguished awards and recognitions such as the 1974 
     Charlie Bartlett Award of the Golf Writers Association, the 
     1981 Richardson Award of the Golf Writers Association of 
     America, the 1982 Father of the Year Award, the 1986 Card 
     Walker Award (Outstanding Contribution to Junior Golf), the 
     1986 Salvation Army Gold Crest Award, the 12th Roberto 
     Clemente Cup, the 1986 Byron Nelson Award, the 1986 Hispanic 
     Achievement Recognition Award, the 1987 Byron Nelson Award, 
     the 1987 Senior Tour Arnold Palmer Award, the 1988 Fred 
     Raphael Golf Achievement Award, the 1989 Old Tom Morris 
     Award, the 1990 ``Caring for Kids'' Award, the 1991 Jackie 
     Robinson Humanitarian Award, the 1993 Civilian Meritorious 
     Service Medal presented by the Department of Defense, the 
     1997 International Network of Golf Award, the 1998 Ford 
     Achievement Award, and the 2003 Paul Runyan Memorial 
     Recognition Award, among others; and
       Whereas Chi-Chi Rodriguez has authored and coauthored 
     several books and articles about golf, such as ``Chi Chi's 
     Secrets of Power Golf'' in 1967, ``Everybody's Golf Book'' in 
     1975, ``Chi Chi's Power Pack'' in 1982, ``Every Golfer's 
     Guide to Lower Scores by Chi-Chi Rodriguez'' in 1990, and 
     ``Chi Chi's Golf Games You Gotta Play'' in 2003, among 
     others: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates Chi-Chi Rodriguez for his successes in 
     the sport of golf; and
       (2) commends Chi-Chi Rodriguez for his exemplary conduct as 
     a humanitarian and advocate for underprivileged youth.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend 
their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Now, Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to yield 
as much time as he might consume to the author of this resolution, my 
good friend from Illinois, Representative Gutierrez.
  Mr. GUTIERREZ. I thank the gentleman for the time.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 
1029, congratulating and recognizing Mr. Juan Antonio ``Chi-Chi'' 
Rodriguez for his continued success on and off the golf course, for his 
generosity and devotion to charity and for his dedication to the 
intellectual and moral growth of thousands of low-income and 
disadvantaged youth in our country.
  I am proud to have introduced this resolution honoring a great 
American. Chi-Chi Rodriguez was born the fifth of six children to an 
agricultural worker and to a housekeeper in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. 
From these humble beginnings, he rose to become one of the Nation's 
most talented professional golfers, using his skills and status to 
benefit others. Chi-Chi is distinguished as a great humanitarian and 
role model for children across the Nation.
  Chi-Chi joined the ranks of professional golfers at the age of 24, 
and over the next four decades, he earned 38 professional wins, 
including 8 PGA tour wins and 22 Senior PGA tour wins. In 1979, Chi-Chi 
Rodriguez had used his national recognition as a great sportsman to 
help found the Chi-Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation and the Chi-Chi 
Rodriguez Academy, which have collectively raised $4 million to assist 
disadvantaged youth.
  The Chi-Chi Rodriguez Foundation has been honored by the National 
Golf Association, by the Jackie Robinson Foundation and by the Points 
of Light Foundation for its youth and community service efforts.
  Chi-Chi also joined with the FBI Agents Association to create the 
Chi-Chi Rodriguez G-Man Desert Shootout Tournament in order to fund 
college scholarships for the children of those FBI agents who have been 
killed in the line of duty.
  Chi-Chi has been heard to say, ``For me, satisfaction comes from 
knowing that I was put on this planet to make it better.'' This 
philosophy has guided his life and has made him an example of 
dedication and generosity of spirit.
  Madam Speaker, as Members of Congress, one of our great honors is to 
recognize our fellow citizens who stand out as exceptional individuals. 
I am proud to support this resolution, honoring a great Puerto Rican-
American humanitarian.
  Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis).
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. 
Res. 1029, which congratulates and recognizes Mr. Juan Antonio ``Chi-
Chi'' Rodriguez for his success on the golf course, for his devotion to 
charity and for his dedication to the intellectual and moral 
development of low-income and disadvantaged youth throughout our 
Nation.
  Mr. Rodriguez' knack for golf began at a young age. He learned to 
play golf with makeshift golf clubs fashioned from guava tree limbs and 
from tin cans hammered into golf balls. He shot a remarkable 67 at age 
12. By the end of his professional career, he had won 22 Senior PGA 
tour events and the hearts of many Americans with his trademark 
toreador dance.
  Part of what makes Mr. Rodriguez such a remarkable individual is that 
he took his own professional accomplishments and channeled them into 
the Chi-Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation, which supports the Chi-Chi 
Rodriguez Academy, which is in my congressional district. Starting in 
1979 and with just 17 students, the mission of the academy is to assist 
at-risk children by improving their self-esteem, character, work ethic, 
social adjustment, and academic performance by using the golf course as 
a classroom.
  The academy encompasses a public-private partnership school that 
fosters students' achievements through interactive experiences in 
various real-world business environments: The First Tee of Clearwater, 
incorporating life skills with golf skills; the After School Enrichment 
program, reinforcing and furthering academic studies; and the Community 
Service program, designed to help students fulfill their graduation and 
scholarship volunteer service hour requirements.
  Madam Speaker, my kids have had the honor of meeting Mr. Rodriguez, 
and I have had the pleasure of seeing firsthand his good work in my 
district. Mr. Rodriguez, after meeting with Mother Teresa, embraced her 
lesson of living to help other people, and he has

[[Page 12612]]

served as an inspiration to thousands of young men and women over the 
past three decades. His unique idea to teach the important life skills 
of self-control, responsibility and respect for others to at-risk youth 
while maintaining an atmosphere that builds confidence and positive 
educational experiences through golf is truly commendable.
  It is with great admiration that I rise today to honor the 
accomplishments of Mr. Chi-Chi Rodriguez by supporting this resolution.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I would yield myself such time 
as I might consume.
  I rise as a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform to join my colleagues in consideration of H. Res. 1029, which 
recognizes as well as congratulates Mr. Juan Antonio ``Chi-Chi'' 
Rodriguez for his continued success on and off the golf course, for his 
generosity and devotion to charity and for his exemplary dedication to 
the positive development of thousands of low-income and disadvantaged 
youth in our country.
  H. Res. 1029 was authored by Congressman Luis Gutierrez of Illinois 
and is cosponsored by 52 Members of Congress. The bill before us was 
first introduced on March 6, 2008 and was taken up by the Committee on 
Oversight and Government Reform on June 12, 2008 where the measure was 
amended and then passed by a voice vote.
  A native of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Juan ``Chi-Chi'' Rodriguez is 
recognized as one of the greatest golfers of our time, and he is the 
first Puerto Rican professional golfer to be inducted into the World 
Golf Hall of Fame. With over 37 professional golf wins, including 8 PGA 
tour wins and 22 Senior PGA tour wins, Mr. Rodriguez rose from 
sugarcane cutter to world-renowned professional golfer and youth 
advocate, which is a great indication of one who need not be so 
concerned about where one comes from but in recognizing where one will 
be going.
  Mr. Rodriguez, obviously, went to the very top. Not only did he stand 
out as a professional golfer, but as a humanitarian and as an 
individual who gave back and gave to others, he will always be renowned 
and remembered.
  I commend my colleague for introducing this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ISSA. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, no one is a better example of energy, of doing more 
with less than is Chi-Chi Rodriguez. Not only did he begin golfing at 
age 6 and shoot a 67 at age 12, but in fact, for a man who never rose 
above 5'7'' in height or 130 pounds in weight, he has one of the most 
famous long balls in golf. That is the energy of Chi-Chi Rodriguez, an 
energy that America covets. He is somebody who doesn't let size or any 
other limitation keep him from achieving his goals.
  Earlier, the gentleman from Florida talked about Florida and Chi-Chi 
Rodriguez' activities there in Clearwater. Florida brings to mind that, 
when you talk about a man of energy, just 50 miles off the coast of 
Florida, China and Cuba are now issuing contracts that are going to 
allow for drilling, for drilling closer to America than we allow, just 
50 miles off the coast of Florida, in fact, without the kind of 
safeguards that American companies would use.

                              {time}  1630

  So when I think of Florida and I think of a man of energy, I think of 
the energy that is being kept away from the American people, energy 
that would keep our dollars from flowing to countries less friendly to 
us, energy that would make us self-sufficient and self-reliant, and 
energy that would heat our homes and fuel our cars at a cost far less 
than what we are paying today.
  Madam Speaker, I truly think of energy when I think of Chi-Chi 
Rodriguez, and I appreciate the opportunity to speak on Chi-Chi 
Rodriguez and urge passage of this resolution.
  Mr. SHULER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary 
life of Juan Antonio ``Chi-Chi'' Rodriguez. Mr. Rodriguez was a native 
Puerto Rican who overcame the obstacles of poverty and became 
recognized as a renowned professional golfer, and a true inspiration to 
the Latino community.
  Mr. Rodriguez has had nothing less than an exceptional career as a 
professional golfer. Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Rodriguez has 
a total of 38 professional wins, including 8 PGA tour wins, 22 Senior 
PGA wins, and wins in the Bahamas, Colombia, and in Panama. Because of 
Chi-Chi's distinguished sportsmanship throughout his career, in 1989 he 
was awarded the Bob Jones Award, which is the highest award given by 
the United States Golf Association. In 1989, he was also awarded the 
Tom Morris Award, from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of 
America. In 1992, Chi-Chi was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame 
This was a remarkable accomplishment because he was the first Puerto 
Rican honored into this elite group.
  Mr. Rodriguez has not only been an inspiration on the course, but 
through his charitable work as well. He established the ``Chi-Chi 
Rodriguez Youth Foundation'', an after school program at the Glen Oaks 
Golf Course in Clearwater, Florida. Chi-Chi and his staff work with 
children to improve their self-esteem, character, work ethic, social 
adjustment, and academic performance. His humanitarian work allowed him 
to be recognized as an inaugural inductee into the World Humanitarian 
Hall of Fame.
  Madam Speaker, Juan ``Chi-Chi'' Rodriguez leads an exemplary life of 
public service and gives hope to the underprivileged children of 
America. He has used his success in his professional career to make a 
positive impact in many people's lives. Mr. Rodriguez is deserving of 
the utmost respect and recognition for his contributions to the youth 
of America. That is why I support H. Res. 1029, introduced by Mr. 
Gutierrez of Illinois.
  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1029, 
recognizing Chi-Chi Rodriguez for his generosity and work with low-
income and disadvantaged youth in our country.
  Chi-Chi is famous for his success on the golf course. He was a self-
taught golfer that started out fusing a branch from a guava tree for a 
club and a metal can as a ball.
  He then went on to win 8 titles on the PGA tour and represented our 
country as a member of the 1973 U.S. Ryder Cup team.
  He is a true ambassador of the game, and a role model for all Latino 
golfers, including myself.
  From his childhood in the sugar cane fields of Puerto Rico, to the 
World Golf Hall of Fame, Chi-Chi has lived the American Dream.
  What most people don't know about Chi-Chi is his dedication to 
working with underprivileged kids. He inspires others to pursue their 
dreams as well.
  At the Chi-Chi Rodriguez Academy, kids learn valuable lessons to help 
them in life--respect, confidence, honesty, responsibility, integrity, 
and sportsmanship, to name a few.
  Under-achieving students with behavioral problems and learning 
disabilities get free help at Chi-Chi's academy.
  This resolution recognizes Chi-Chi's continuing efforts to improve 
the lives of thousands of low-income and disadvantaged youth in our 
country, I encourage my colleagues to join with me and honor Mr. Juan 
Antonio ``Chi-Chi'' Rodriguez.
  Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, we have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, we have no further requests for 
time, I urge passage of this resolution, and I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1029, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ISSA. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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