June 10, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 96 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE KNICKERBOCKER GOLF CLUB AS THEY CELEBRATE THEIR 75TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 10, 2019

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today 
to join the New Haven community in extending my heartfelt 
congratulations to Knickerbocker Golf Club as members gather to 
celebrate the organization's 75th Anniversary--a remarkable milestone 
for this unique community treasure.
  Founded in 1944 by Charles Dorsey and Alex Smith, the Knickerbocker 
Golf Club is one of the oldest African-American golf clubs in the 
nations. Since then, the Knickerbocker Club has been another proud 
example of an African-American institution that has flourished in the 
midst of and despite our nation's long-history with segregation. 
Augusta National, the storied golf club in Georgia which opened in 
1932, did not accept its first African American member until 1990. 
Charlie Sifford--the Jackie Robinson of the PGA Tour--was never once 
invited to play at there. But, he was welcome at the Knickerbocker Pro-
Am, and, the club continues its welcoming spirit today.
  Well ahead of its time, the Knickerbocker Golf Club not only provided 
a place for African Americans to play golf, but it also provided a safe 
and encouraging environment for young men in the community. Founding 
members acted as mentors, giving young people an outlet--a place to go 
instead of the streets or local pool halls. That tradition continues 
today. The Knickerbocker Golf Club not only provides this place of 
mentorship but scholarships which have allowed many young people to 
pursue a higher education and realize their dreams.
  Sports have long been a great equalizer in America, and, as the 
Knickerbocker Club continues to demonstrate, they provide our young 
people an opportunity to learn discipline, focus and commitment while 
fostering a longtime hobby and lifetime love. It is for those reasons 
that the Knickerbocker Club has been so important to our community for 
the last seventy-five years, and why it remains so.
  In Italian we have a saying ``Cent' Anni''--to one hundred years. It 
is my great honor to stand today to congratulate the Knickerbocker Golf 
Club on the celebration of their 75th Anniversary and extend my very 
best wishes for many more years of success.

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