[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16493]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE AMERICAN TENNIS ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2010

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise to 
recognize the achievements of the American Tennis Association, the 
oldest African American sports organization in the United States.
  On November 30, 1916, the ATA was founded by a group of African 
American businessmen, college professors and physicians, when 
segregation prohibited them from joining the existing United States 
Lawn Tennis Association. Though it was founded to help more African 
American youngsters learn to love tennis, it now welcomes people of all 
backgrounds. The ATA has produced some of the world's top players, 
including Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe, the first African Americans to 
be ranked number one and to win Grand Slam titles.
  This proud tradition continues today, in young players such as Pierre 
Craig III of Dallas. He has placed in several national tennis 
tournaments, including winning first place doubles at the 2009 ATA 
Nationals in the Boys 12 division, and second place in the singles. He 
is supported by his father, Pierre II, who is the Director of Tennis 
and Head Tennis Professional at the Oakridge Country Club and his 
mother, Juevette.
  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to honor the American Tennis Association 
and its members, and wish them the best for their 2010 National 
Tournament.

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