USA FMC President Dennis Hertel Invites President Barack Obama and Speaker John Boehner to Golf for Wounded Warriors

WASHINGTON, May 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Dennis Hertel (D-MI) president of the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC), issued an invitation to two of Washington's most avid golfers -- Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and President and former member of Congress, Barack Obama (D-IL) -- to play in FMC's 4th Annual Congressional Charity Golf Tournament which benefits the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project. To date, FMC has raised more than $200,000, which benefits our nation's heroes injured while serving in the line of duty.

"Speaker Boehner has long been supportive of our tournament, and is dedicated to its goal of honoring and supporting our nation's wounded warriors," said Hertel. "His commitment is so strong, that even when he was unable to play, Speaker Boehner attended the tournament to show his support," he added.

The Tournament, which will take place on Monday, June 13th, 2011, at the Army-Navy Country Club in Arlington, VA, is a bi-partisan charity event. Republicans and Democrats will gather together for what promises to be an historic show of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Joining each group, will also be a wounded warrior.  

"For almost 40 years, current and former members of Congress have participated in our annual tournament," Hertel said. "Then, in 2008, we decided it should become a charitable event. We chose the Disabled Sports USA's Wounded Warrior Project, because we couldn't think of a more deserving group to support than our nation's war heroes."  Hertel added that the non-profit organization provides year-round sports programs for men and women in the military who were severely wounded in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.  They provide them and their families with transportation, lodging, adaptive equipment, and individualized instruction in more than a dozen different winter and summer sports

In addition to raising funds, the tournament creates an informal, bipartisan atmosphere that allows members of Congress to get to know one another outside of the political arena.  All of the participants including the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress, along with the PGA of America, donate their staff time and, all proceeds, other than costs such as the golf course rental, go directly to the charity.

FMC is chartered, but not funded, by the U.S. Congress and has a membership of nearly 600 former senators and representatives. FMC seeks to improve the public's understanding of the role of Congress as a unique institution, as well as the importance of representative democracy as a system of government.  Former members of Congress participate in numerous pro- bono projects including: election monitoring abroad; outreach to high school and university students to teach them about public service; and supporting severely wounded veterans upon their return from Iraq and Afghanistan, among other activities.

"In the spirit of bipartisanship, friendly competition, and our responsibility to serve those who have sacrificed so much to serve us; I hope Speaker Boehner and President Obama will join us for a day on the green," Hertel said.

Coverage is invited. For more detailed information, please visit the Association's website at www.usafmc.org.

SOURCE U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress