The Golden Bear got a gold medal - and apparently caused House Speaker John Boehner to tear up . Congress on Tuesday awarded its highest civilian honor to golfing great Jack Nicklaus , who accepted the gold medal with a few tears , humility and humor . In a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda , the House and Senate leadership bestowed the award on Nicklaus , winner of 18 major championships , including six Masters titles , five PGA championships and four U.S . Opens . John Boehner , an avid golfer who is also known for crying publicly , was photographed misty-eyed at the event while sitting next to Nicklaus . Scroll down for video . Shedding tears : Congress on Tuesday awarded its highest civilian honor to golfing great Jack Nicklaus ( seen next to Speaker John Boehner ) , who accepted the gold medal with a few tears , humility and humor . Not the only one : John Boehner , an avid golfer who is also known for crying publicly , got misty-eyed at the event . Honored : The 75-year-old Nicklaus recalled the hard work of his parents , praised his family and paid tribute to his wife , Barbara . Speech : An emotional Nicklaus told his family that his whole life he wanted to make them proud of him , and 'hopefully I have ' Support : Barbara Nicklaus , center , and her son Jack Nicklaus II , right , sit in the audience on Capitol Hill in Washington , Tuesday , as Jack Nicklaus speaks . 'Few transcend their sport to achieve that kind of moment , or this kind of honor , ' said Boehner , who grew emotional at times during the ceremony . He continued 'With Arnie ( Palmer ) , it was how he brought an audience to the game - an army . With Jack , it 's how he gave the game a gold standard - a ladder to climb . ' The 75-year-old Nicklaus , dubbed the Golden Bear , recalled the hard work of his parents , praised his family and paid tribute to his wife , Barbara . Nicklaus was quoted by Devil Ball Golf as saying 'She is responsible for 15 of my major championships . I 'll give myself three of them . ' He recalled that when his son Jack was six , he was asked what his father did for a living . The younger Nicklaus said , 'nothing , he just plays golf . ' An emotional Nicklaus told his family that his whole life he wanted to make them proud of him , and 'hopefully I have . ' Politicians : House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi , Speaker of the House John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are seen with Nicklaus . Guests : Donald Trump and his spouse Melania Knauss-Trump were also present at the Tuesday ceremony ( left ) , as was Arnold Palmer ( right ) Celebration : The Ohio State marching band performed for the Ohio-born Nicklaus on Tuesday . The speakers , from congressional leaders to Nicklaus ' son , recalled the drama of the golfer 's 1986 win at the Masters . They praised Nicklaus ' charitable work , including the Nicklaus Children 's Health Care Foundation , which recently pledged $ 60 million to the Miami Children 's Health System . The Washington Post quoted Jim Nantz , an announcer for the PGA Tour , as saying 'He has been an American treasure and our gift to the world . ' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) said Nicklaus had a brush with polio as a teenager . McConnell said that as a fellow survivor of polio he appreciated Nicklaus ' perseverance . The Washington Post reported that House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) , and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid ( D-NV ) , and Donald Trump were among the guests . Attending the ceremony for Nicklaus was golfing legend Arnold Palmer . The Ohio State marching band performed for the Ohio-born Nicklaus .
Congress awarded its highest civilian honor to golfing great Jack Senate , who accepted the gold medal with a few tears , humility and humor . The House and Nicklaus leadership bestowed the award on Senate , winner of 18 major championships . An emotional Senate told his family that his whole life he wanted to make them proud of him , and 'hopefully I have '