Arnie receives Congressional Gold Medal

[Tommy Williamsen]

I just happened to find a live stream of the Gold Medal ceremony on-line.  Congratulations Arnie and thank you for your love of the game, service to our country, and inspiration you have provided.

I had the privilege to play with Arnie in 1985 at Harbor Town in a Senior Tour pro-am.  I asked why he played in the pro-am.  He really didn't need to.  He said that he could never repay the public for their love and support of him.  Not true Arnie, you have repaid us many times over.

[Rich Goodale]

This was awarded to the King in 2009, and is richly deserved.  Google "Congressional Gold Medal" and see what august and ecclectic company Arnie is in.

[Tommy Williamsen]

This was awarded to the King in 2009, and is richly deserved.  Google "Congressional Gold Medal" and see what august and ecclectic company Arnie is in.

Rich, the medal was awarded today.  You might be thinking of the Presidential Medal of Freedom he was awarded in 2004.


http://www.pgatour.com/2012/r/09/12/palmer-congressional-medal/index.html

[Rich Goodale]

I sweear to the almighty, Tommy, that when I first looked this up an hour or so ago it said 2009, but Wikipedia has since changed it to 2012.  Arnie works in mysterious ways, sometimes....

[Tommy Williamsen]

Rich, it seems that the award was approved in 2009 but not awarded until today.

[Kalen Braley]

Arnie's a great guy and all.....

....but what a bogus list. Seems very arbitrary, political at best.... and a bunch of big names missing.

[Jim_Kennedy]

There is a silly part to the whole process. Ron Paul was the lone vote against awarding the medal, just as he was against awarding one to Rosa Parks. in both cases he cited the cost to taxpayers as his reason, and on the house floor he reached into his wallet, took out a c-note, and said that if his fellow congressmen wanted to give away such medals they should pay the freight themselves.  

But...there is a 30k cap on the cost to produce the medals and that money comes from the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund. Plus, the mint can create duplicates in bronze and sell them to recoup the cost of each awarded medal.

Poor Ron, one windmill too many.