PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The United States House of Representatives approved by unanimous consent H. Con. Res. 471, which honors and congratulates The PGA of America, the world’s largest working sports Association, as it celebrates its 90th anniversary.
The Resolution, which was passed on Sept. 25, 2006 commends The PGA of America and its more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals for their contributions to the game of golf; efforts to make golf accessible to all; charitable work through the PGA Foundation; and the $62 billion annual impact the game has on employment and economic growth throughout the United States. The Resolution, introduced by Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) and Rep.
James Clyburn (D-S.C.) on Sept. 13, 2006, gained 59 co-sponsors before passage.
PGA President Roger Warren spoke on behalf of The PGA of America and its members in thanking the House of Representatives.
"The PGA of America is extremely honored to receive the House of Representatives’ recognition of the important contributions PGA members make to the game of golf, the charitable community and the economy of our country," said Warren. "We wish to further thank Rep. Foley and Rep.
Clyburn in leading the effort to secure 59 co-sponsors in a bipartisan manner and helping to steer the Resolution to passage."
The House Resolution is yet another major milestone in the history of The PGA of America and its "90 Years of Excellence." The Professional Golfers’
Association of America was created shortly after department store magnate Rodman Wanamaker organized a meeting of top golf professionals and amateurs, including Walter Hagen and Francis Ouimet, at New York City’s Taplow Club, on Jan.17, 1916. Plans to organize an Association that would promote the game of golf and its profession were first sewn. On April 10, 1916, The PGA of America was officially formed. Today, it is the world’s largest working sports organization with a membership of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals.
"The PGA of America calls Florida, and my own congressional district, its home, and we are all very proud of that," said Rep. Foley. "The PGA has made incredible contributions both in terms of its good impact on local and state economies and in the tremendous charitable commitments it has made."
"No matter the age, the background or the body type, almost anyone can play golf," added Rep. Clyburn. "It is all about you and the elements. I love this game, and I commend The PGA for its work maintaining the grand tradition and making the game accessible to all walks of life."
Representatives sponsoring the Resolution were:
Rep. Joe Baca (D-Calif.)
Rep. J. Gresham Barrett (R-S.C.)
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.)
Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.)
Rep. Jo Bonner (R-Ala.)
Rep. John Boozman (R-Ark.)
Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Fla.)
Rep. Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-S.C.)
Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Fla.)
Rep. Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas)
Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.)
Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.)
Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich.)
Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.)
Rep. Howard Coble (R-N.C.)
Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.)
Rep. Ander Crenshaw (R-Fla.)
Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.)
Rep. Norman D. Dicks (D-Wash.)
Rep. John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.)
Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Texas)
Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-N.J.)
Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.)
Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.)
Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R-Va.)
Rep. Harold E. Ford Jr. (D-Tenn.)
Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.)
Rep. Charles A. Gonzalez (D-Texas)
Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas)
Rep. Melissa A. Hart (R-Penn.)
Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (D-Fla.)
Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-Mich.)
Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wisc.)
Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-Mich.)
Rep. Tom Latham (R-La.)
Rep. Steve C. LaTourette (R-Ohio)
Rep. Daniel E. Lungren (R-Calif.)
Rep. Donald A. Manzullo (R-Ill.)
Rep. Jim Matheson (D-Utah)
Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.)
Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-N.Y.)
Rep. John L. Mica (R-Fla.)
Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz (D-Texas)
Rep. Michael G. Oxley (R-Ohio)
Rep. Ed Pastor (D-Ariz.)
Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.)
Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-Texas)
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.)
Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ariz.)
Rep. E. Clay Shaw, Jr. (R-Fla.)
Rep. Michael K. Simpson (R-Ind.)
Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas)
Rep. Vic Snyder (D-Ark.)
Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.)
Rep. John Sullivan (R-Okla.)
Rep. John S. Tanner (D-Tenn.)
Rep. James T. Walsh (R-N.Y.)
Rep. Jerry Weller (R-Ill.)
Rep. Roger F. Wicker (R-Miss.)
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.)
Celebrating its 90th anniversary, The PGA of America was founded in 1916, and is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.
Contact:
Jamie Carbone
561/624-8446
jcarbone@pgahq.com
