MALONEY & BURK: IT'S TIME FOR FAIR PLAY

Mar 31, 2003
Press Release

Washington, DC< - Today, joined with Dr. Martha Burk, Chair of the National Council of Women's Organizations, and Jane Smith, CEO of Business and Professional Women, Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) announced the introduction of a Resolution titled "Fair Play: Equal Access in Club Membership."

The resolution states that no Member of Congress, justice or judge of the United States, political appointee in the executive branch of the government, or President and the Vice-President should belong to a club that discriminates on the basis of race or sex. The resolution responds to the recent controversy at the Augusta National Golf Club, host of the annual Masters Golf Tournament.

"By saying 'Women, Keep Out,'Augusta National sends a strong message to women everywhere: you are not our equal partner, and you do not deserve the opportunity to mix and mingle with CEO's of America's top corporations. In this day and age, it is astonishing that any establishment would restrict membership only to men. It should never be acceptable to discriminate on the basis of sex or race - never. I believe that America's elected and appointed representatives should set the standard for non-discrimination and tell America that we will no longer support the exclusion of individuals on the basis of race or sex," said Representative Maloney in a statement today.


Martha Burk, Chair of the National Council of Women's Organizations, praised the members of Congress for taking an affirmative stand. "We would never tolerate national leaders, whether they be members of Congress, appointees of the Administration, or CEOs of large corporations, maintaining membership in clubs that discriminate on the basis of race. It should be no different for gender."

, Chair of the National Council of Women's Organizations, praised the members of Congress for taking an affirmative stand. "We would never tolerate national leaders, whether they be members of Congress, appointees of the Administration, or CEOs of large corporations, maintaining membership in clubs that discriminate on the basis of race. It should be no different for gender."

Representative Richard A. Gephardt (D-MO) added, "Our leaders at the highest levels of the federal government must set the right example on this important issue.

(D-MO) added, "Our leaders at the highest levels of the federal government must set the right example on this important issue.

Background:

  • Other Members on the Resolution: Lewis (D-GA), Gephardt (D-MO), Crowley (D-NY), Nadler (D-NY), Frank (D-MA), Owens (D-NY), Lee (D-CA), Woolsey (D-CA), Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Kucinich (D-OH), Lofgren (D-CA), Jackson-Lee (D-TX), Watson (D-CA), and Holmes Norton (D-DC).

  • There will be Rally for Women's Equality & Augusta National Golf Club/Masters Tournament Protest-April 12, 2003 at 10 a.m. in Augusta, Georgia.

  • August National Golf Club (ANGC) was co-founded in 1931 by professional golfer Bobby Jones and Wall Street investment banker Clifford Roberts (Dean Witter). Roberts served as chairman of the club from 1931 - 1975, and committed suicide on the grounds in 1977 after he became seriously ill.

  • According to the Masters website, the tournament was started in an effort to "provide a service to the sport of golf". However, according to a February 2003 New Yorker article, ANGC was founded by and for wealthy New Yorkers who wanted a winter golf spot. 60 of its initial 63 members were New Yorkers, including Clifford Roberts. As of 2003, only 20 of the 300 members are New Yorkers, most heading Fortune 500 corporations.

To view the House Resolution click here

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Issues: 
Equal Access - Augusta National