(Updated September 25, 2006)
H.Con.Res. 471
Congratulating The Professional Golfers' Association of America on its 90th
Anniversary and Commending the Members of The Professional Golfers' Association
of America and The PGA Foundation for the Charitable Contributions They Provide
to the United States
Floor Situation
The House is scheduled to consider H.Con.Res. 471, under suspension of the rules, on
Monday, September 25, 2006. It is debatable for 40 minutes, may not be
amended, and requires a two-thirds majority vote for passage.
Summary
H.Con.Res. 471 resolves that
Congress congratulates The Professional Golfers' Association of America (The PGA
of America) on its 90th anniversary, commends The PGA of America and its members
for their contributions to the game of golf and their efforts to make golf
accessible, and applauds The PGA of America and its members for their
contributions to employment and economic growth in the United States.
Background
The Professional Golfers'
Association of America (The PGA of America) was founded in 1916 by a group of
amateur and professional golfers in New York City, led by department store
magnate Rodman Wanamaker, with a mission to promote interest in the game of
golf, elevate standards of the golf professional's vocation, hold meetings and
tournaments for the benefit of members, assist deserving unemployed members to
obtain positions, and establish a benevolent relief fund for deserving members.
During World War I The PGA of America began its tradition of serving the
military by purchasing and maintaining an ambulance throughout the war for the
American Red Cross and encouraging employers of members to hold open positions
for its members serving in the United States Armed Forces.
The PGA of America has continued its tradition of serving the military by
partnering with the National Amputee Golf Association to offer golf programs for
wounded military service members that include free golf instruction, free use of
golf equipment, and free golf.
In 1954 The PGA of America created a charitable foundation, The PGA Foundation,
as a public philanthropic foundation to provide resources and professional
expertise to make golf accessible in the community by offering free golf
programs for youth, the disabled, and the underserved.
The PGA of America and its PGA Foundation offer such programs as Play Golf
America Days for youths involving free instruction, skills competition, and
equipment demonstration; golf programs for inner city youths in Louisville,
Kentucky, and Detroit, Michigan, that combine golf, education enrichment and
life skills preparation to prepare youths for employment and college; and
professional golf instruction and funding for the First Tee golf program for
youths.
The PGA of America partners with Special Olympics International to make golf an
official Special Olympics sport and supports the Special Olympics golf
competition at the National Special Olympics and the World Games Special
Olympics.
The PGA of America in partnership with eighteen four-year college and
universities has created an accredited major for students to receive degrees in
Professional Golf Management and The PGA of America awards scholarships to
ensure women and minorities have the opportunity to obtain Professional Golf
Management degrees and membership in The PGA of America.
The PGA of America conducts more than 30 tournaments for its members and
apprentices, including the Ryder Cup, PGA Championship, PGA Grand Slam of Golf,
and Senior PGA Championship, and conducts charitable programs related to these
tournaments where the tournaments are held.
The PGA of America has hosted and sponsored for nine years the PGA Minority
Collegiate Golf Championship to provide opportunities for students at
predominately minority colleges and universities to participate in collegiate
golf championships, career awareness programs, and employment recruiting.
The PGA of America is dedicated to providing educational opportunities at the
PGA Education Center for PGA members and apprentice professionals and The PGA of
America also provides information to the public at the adjacent PGA Historical
Center, which celebrates the growth of golf in the United States and honors PGA
members who have made significant contributions to the game of golf.
The PGA of America is the world's largest working sporting organization with a
mission of growing the game of golf and making it accessible.
The PGA of America is a not-for-profit professional association which has a
membership of approximately 28,000 golf professionals who promote the game of
golf and make golf a better game.
The PGA of America, its members, and the golf industry annually contribute
approximately $62.2 billion to the economy of the United States.
Legislative History
H.Con.Res. 471 was introduced by
Rep. Foley (FL) on September 13, 2006. The bill was ordered to be reported
from the Government Reform Committee, by unanimous consent, on September 21,
2006.
For additional information or questions, please contact the Government Reform Committee at 5-5074.