Texas Children's Houston Open

Memorial Park Golf Course



The Loop

'My apologies to my friend Chi Chi'

December 02, 2010

Chi Chi Rodriguez was honored by the House of Representatives this week, with House Resolution 1430, that said: "Honoring and saluting golf legend Juan Antonio 'Chi Chi' Rodriguez for his commitment to Latino youth programs of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute."

It wasn't a universally popular commemorative resolution, no offense to Rodriguez... apparently. Congressman Greg Walden (R-Oregon) wants to reduce the number of such resolutions, citing the one given to Rodriguez as an example.

"If Americans knew we spent this week honoring and saluting golf legend Chi Chi Rodriguez . . . while their taxes are about to go up and our national debt is exploding, they'd send us all packing," Walden said at a news conference which the next House Speaker, John Boehner, an avid golfer, also attended. Noting Boehner's frown, Walden quickly added, "Now, there's nothing wrong with Chi Chi."

Boehner then stepped to the microphone and said this: "Let me...express my apologies to my friend Chi Chi Rodriguez."

-- John Strege