Patrick J. Tiberi: “I would like to thank the gentleman from Michigan for his kind words about the honoree today. I rise in support of the…”

“I would like to thank the gentleman from Michigan for his kind words about the honoree today. I rise in support of the bill to award the Congressional Gold Medal to a Buckeye native, Jack Nicklaus. As Mr. Huizenga said, often called the ``Golden Bear,'' named after the mascot of his high school in Upper Arlington, he is widely known today as the greatest golfer of all time. Mr. Huizenga mentioned the incredible athletic accomplishments on the golf course. I won't repeat those that Mr. Nicklaus achieved, but as Mrs. Beatty of Columbus mentioned, it is his philanthropic work that continues today that directly impacts tens of thousands of children and adults. Through the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, he has raised nearly $24 million to support health assistance and services for more than 4,000 children and their families. He continues to host the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, on the golf course that he built and designed, the Muirfield Village Golf Club in the congressional district I am so honored to represent. And in that tournament, he has raised over $5.5 million for Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus that Mrs. Beatty recognized, giving children access to world-class health care. He serves as a spokesperson and trustee for the First Tee Program, an organization dedicated to bringing golf to children in areas that aren't normally exposed to it across our country.…”