House and Senate committee rules require that bills awarding Congressional Gold Medals be co-sponsored by two-thirds of the members of each chamber. The Nicklaus bill had 337 co-sponsors in the House—well above the 288 it needed—but when voted upon Monday night, it was passed by an overwhelming 373-4 votes. The Senate now has to pass the bill, with at least 67 co-sponsors, before the medal can be awarded.

The overwhelming House vote and the decision to bring it to the floor is seen as a significant part of the honor in and by itself (as opposed to, say, a legislative proposal that [...]]]> Click here to view the embedded video.

House and Senate committee rules require that bills awarding Congressional Gold Medals be co-sponsored by two-thirds of the members of each chamber. The Nicklaus bill had 337 co-sponsors in the House—well above the 288 it needed—but when voted upon Monday night, it was passed by an overwhelming 373-4 votes. The Senate now has to pass the bill, with at least 67 co-sponsors, before the medal can be awarded.

The overwhelming House vote and the decision to bring it to the floor is seen as a significant part of the honor in and by itself (as opposed to, say, a legislative proposal that must make it through the Senate to have force and effect.) Frequently, these types of bills are passed through the Senate unanimously and without debate or a formal roll call vote, so the House action serves as a very real tribute.

The bill’s sponsor is Representative Joe Baca, a California Democrat and co-chairman of the Congressional Pro Sports Caucus’s Golf Task Force. Rep. Baca said in a written statement that he had taken up the cause for a Nicklaus medal because of Jack’s “leadership, his sportsmanship, and his great record of giving back through philanthropy.”

“With 118 national and international titles, including 18 major championships, Jack’s golfing accomplishments are amazing. But his record of giving back and helping others is even greater,” Rep. Baca added.

The first Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to George Washington by the Continental Congress in 1776, less than four months before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The medals were initially awarded only to war heroes. Later recipients have included aviator Charles Lindbergh, inventor Thomas Edison, composer Irving Berlin, entertainment magnate Walt Disney, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

©2012 Diamond Exchange. All Rights Reserved.

©2012 Diamond Exchange. All Rights Reserved.