Burgess Presents Peggy Nelson With The Byron Nelson Congressional Gold Medal

WASHINGTON, DC, June 26 — With over 100 individuals present, U.S. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26) honored Byron Nelson by awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Peggy Nelson on behalf of her dearly departed husband.

The event was held at the United States Capitol in the Sam Rayburn Room. Flanked by Congressman Burgess, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Minority Leader John Boehner, Senator John Cornyn and Nelson family friend and Salesmanship Club of Dallas member Jon Bradley, Mrs. Nelson was full of humility, grace and humor as she gratefully accepted this honor for her husband.

"Byron knew that this honor isn’t really for him but for all those who sold the tickets, stepped up to the plate as corporate sponsors, and volunteered their time and resources to help thousands of children and their families," Mrs. Nelson said.

Congressman Burgess commented, "He was a philanthropist first and foremost. He devoted his life to the Lord, to his family and to helping others. Byron Nelson’s life is a model for a life well-lived."

Since the American Revolution, Congress has commissioned gold medals as the highest expression of national appreciation. Each medal represents and honors distinguished achievements and contributions to our country. Congress has set high standards for awarding this honor. Each medal nomination must be signed by two-thirds of House members and two-thirds of the Senate before a vote can be scheduled in either chamber.

Nelson’s name was synonymous with greatness on and off the golf course. A two-time Masters champion, two-time PGA Championship winner and U.S. Open champion with 52 official PGA TOUR event victories, Nelson often said about his charity work, "It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me in golf. Better than winning the Masters or the U.S. Open or 11 in a row, because it helps people."

"Rarely does extraordinary accomplishment come with such profound humility," Hoyer said of Nelson. "Simply put, the medal honors those who make our country great by leaving our country better for future generations. Byron Nelson did just that."

Only four other professional athletes have been awarded gold medals: baseball players Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente, boxer Joe Louis and track star Jesse Owens, all of whom received the award posthumously.

The formal program at the Capitol began with the U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Brass Quintet and the North Richland Hills Church of Christ Quartet singing the National Anthem. The quartet made the trip from Byron and Peggy’s home church in North Richland Hills, TX. More than 30 representatives from the Salesmanship Club of Dallas were present for the ceremony. Also in attendance were several representatives from EDS, the title sponsor of the EDS Byron Nelson Championship, which has raised nearly $100 million for underprivileged children and families served by Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4902, the bill to award Byron Nelson with a Congressional Gold Medal on May 10, 2006. The U.S. Senate passed the companion bill on September 27, 2006. President George W. Bush signed the bill into law awarding Byron Nelson the Congressional Gold Medal (P.L. 109-357).