Commending Arnold Palmer

Floor Speech

Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, today, I honor one of the great sports legends of all time, Arnold Palmer. Not only is Arnold Palmer a world-class athlete, he is a generous philanthropist and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. This son of Latrobe, PA, changed the game of golf, both how it is played and how it is appreciated, forever.

Mr. Palmer learned how to play golf when he was merely 4 years old, playing with clubs his father had cut down for him at Latrobe Country Club. His talent emerged visibly at an early age, and he was soon able to outplay children far older than him. He began to caddy when he was 11 years old and later held almost every job at the country club. In his late teens, he also served as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard.

His seven major career victories make Mr. Palmer one of the greatest golfers of all time. He won the Masters Tournament four times in 1958, 1960,
1962, and 1964; the U.S. Open in 1960 and the British Open in 1961 and 1962. He twice represented the United States in the Ryder Cup Match, including serving as captain of the victorious American team in 1963.

In 1997, he successfully battled prostate cancer and is a champion of programs supporting cancer research and early detection. In addition to the numerous charities he supports, Mr. Palmer led a fundraising drive creating the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando and the Latrobe Area Hospital Charitable Foundation.

Mr. Palmer has led by example in kindness, good sportsmanship, and generosity. Today, along with my colleagues, I ask Congress to award Mr. Palmer a gold medal in recognition of his service to the Nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship in golf.

Source