Congressman Joe Baca Decides Against Giving Tiger Woods A Medal

California Congressman Joe Baca decided against honoring golfer Tiger Woods with a Congressional Gold Medal. Baca proposed to honour Woods back in March of this year, but today he said, "in light of the recent developments surrounding Tiger Woods and his family," the legislation to award the medal will be withheld. The Congressional Gold Medal is bestowed by the United States Congress and is the highest civilian awards in the United States. The medal is usually presented to people who commit an outstanding deed or act of service to the security, prosperity and national interest of the United States. Woods was to be rewarded for promoting good sportsmanship and breaking down barriers in the sport.

Past recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal include George Washington, Howard Hughes, Jonas Salk, Robert Frost, Winston Churchill, Robert Kennedy, American Red Cross, Queen Beatrix I of the Netherlands, Frank Sinatra, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul II and others.

The controversy surrounding Tiger Woods's family began with a car accident that he was involved in on November 27. It was alleged that prior to the accident Woods had an argument with his wife Elin Nordegren, who allegedly got suspicious of Woods's extra-marital affairs. Allegedly, Nordegren caused Woods's injuries and chased after his car with a golf club as he was driving away. After the incident, reports surfaced of Woods's alleged affairs with ten different women. It is also being reported Nordegren has now moved out from the family's Florida mansion and bought a house in Sweden.