Congress Hits the Greens to Raise Money for Wounded Warriors

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Former Members of Congress Association (FMC) will host its fourth annual, "Congressional Charitable Golf Classic," pitting Republicans and Democrats against each other in friendly competition to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project. Two avid golfers, President Obama and Speaker John Boehner, have also been invited to play.

The tournament will be held on Monday, June 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Army Navy Country Club, 1700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, Virginia. From 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Ed "Doc" Pepping and the other Band of Brothers will meet with the wounded warriors. Following the end of the tournament, at approximately 5:00 p.m., there will be a ceremony and check presentation of the funds raised by FMC for the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project.

Almost 50 former and current Members of Congress are expected to play and they will be paired with Wounded Warriors throughout the tournament. All of the proceeds raised will go directly to the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project. The non-profit organization is a partnership between Disabled Sports USA and its chapters, and the Wounded Warrior Project. It provides year-round sports programs for severely wounded service members from the Iraq, and Afghanistan, and the global war on terrorism.

Through early intervention with active sports, rehabilitation is enhanced leading to successful employment. The wounded warriors and their families are provided these opportunities free-of-cost, including transportation, lodging, adaptive equipment, and individualized instruction in more than a dozen winter and summer sports. To date, FMC has raised more than $200,000 from the charity golf tournament to support this worthy endeavor.

The event is part of the two-day annual meeting of the FMC, which has almost 600 former members of Congress as its constituency.

On June 14, at 8:15 a.m. on the floor of the House of Representatives, Senator John Warner will receive the organization's "Distinguished Service Award," presented to a former member of Congress who exemplifies a life dedicated to serving others. Then, at 2:30 p.m. at the National Archives, former members including Speaker Dennis Hastert and Jane Harman (D-CA), among others, will be part of the panel called, "Responding to a National Crisis: Congress in the Aftermath of 9/11."

Coverage is invited for all three events, and interviews with former Members, Wounded Warriors, and Band of Brothers are available upon request.

The mission of FMC is to promote public service and strengthen democracy via domestic and international programs. FMC seeks to improve the public's understanding of the role of Congress as a unique institution, as well as the crucial importance of representative democracy as a system of government.  Former members of Congress participate in many diverse pro- bono in projects such as, election monitoring abroad, outreach to high school and university students to teach the importance of public service, and supporting programs that provide services to severely wounded veterans upon their return from Iraq and Afghanistan.

SOURCE Former Members of Congress Association