Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4902, to give philanthropist, golfer and North Texan Byron Nelson the Congressional Gold Medal. Introducing the legislation on March 8, 2006, Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) worked feverously to garner more than 300 cosponsors for the bill in three week’s time achieving the two-thirds requirement for a floor vote. It passed the House by a voice vote.

“The outpouring of support to give Byron Nelson the Congressional Gold Medal was astounding,” said Congressman Burgess. “I knew he was a national treasure, but the Member of the House couldn’t have agreed more.”

While most people know of Mr. Nelson’s significant contributions to the game of golf, it his is humanitarian and philanthropic activities that make him worthy of the Congressional Gold Medal.

Byron Nelson is a champion for the underprivileged and has given his time, talents, and funds to make this a better world. Byron Nelson and the EDS Byron Nelson Championship, to be held this weekend in Irving, has raised over $88,000,000 for the Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers, a nonprofit agency that provides education and mental health services for more than 2,700 children and their families.

The Byron and Louise Nelson Golf Endowment Fund has provided over $1.5 million in endowment funds to Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. Another example of his service is his dedication to the Metroport Meals on Wheels which provides daily, home-delivered, hot lunch for the frail, elderly and chronically ill residents. Byron Nelson has been an active honorary chairman since 1992. His philanthropic nature and pure heart has improved the lives of citizens throughout the country.

Byron Nelson is, of course, also a legend to the game of golf. Much noted for his unprecedented 11 simultaneous wins in 1945, his 5 victories at major tournaments, and his overall 54 career victories, it is no surprise that Mr. Nelson is one of the greatest players the game of golf has ever seen.

Twice named “Male Athlete of the Year” by the Associated Press, a feat only accomplished by one other golfer, Tiger Woods, Bryon Nelson was selected for the Ryder Cup four times, leading the United States team as Captain to victory over Great Britain in 1965. He is also the only PGA professional golfer that has a PGA tour named in his honor: the EDS Byron Nelson Championship and the World Golf Hall of Fame honored Byron Nelson in 2004 by featuring an exhibit entitled “Byron Nelson: A Champion…A Gentleman. Byron Nelson’s accomplishments as a professional golfer are as impressive as his golf swing.

“Through his outstanding accomplishments as a golfer and a humanitarian, Byron Nelson has proved to be an exemplary citizen,” said Congressman Michael C. Burgess. “The time has come for Congress to bestow on this gentleman an honor worthy of his life-long efforts to improve the lives of those less privileged.”

To view today’s House floor debate on the bill, please visit the following website: www.house.gov/burgess. This Friday, May 12^th, Congressman Michael Burgess will host a press conference at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship media center on the effort to award Byron Nelson the Congressional Gold Medal. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Michelle Stein, Communications Director at (202) 225-7772 or via email at Michelle.Stein@mail.house.gov.

The Senate companion bill S.2491, is sponsored by U.S. Senator John Cornyn of Texas and is working to the two-thirds, or 67, cosponsors required for a Senate floor vote. For more information on the Senate bill, please contact John Drogin, Press Secretary at (202) 224-0703.

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