[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1279 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                         July 30, 2008.
Whereas Eunice Kennedy Shriver organized the first international Special 
        Olympics Summer Games, which were held on July 20, 1968, in Chicago's 
        Soldier Field;
Whereas the Special Olympics World Games are held every 4 years;
Whereas the Special Olympics oath is ``Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me 
        be brave in the attempt.'', which was originally spoken by gladiators 
        entering the arena in ancient Rome;
Whereas the Special Olympics is dedicated to empowering individuals with 
        intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive, and 
        respected members of society through sports training and competition;
Whereas the Special Olympics currently serves 2,500,000 people with intellectual 
        disabilities in more than 200 programs in over 180 countries;
Whereas the Special Olympics currently has 700,000 volunteers and 500,000 
        coaches worldwide;
Whereas the Special Olympics programs offer year-round training and competition 
        in 30 Olympic-type sports for both winter and summer;
Whereas at every Special Olympics awards ceremony, in addition to the 
        traditional medals for first, second, and third places, athletes from 
        fourth to last are presented a suitable place ribbon with appropriate 
        ceremony;
Whereas the Special Olympics events are open to all intellectually disabled 
        peoples that are above the age of 8 regardless of the degree of their 
        disability;
Whereas the Special Olympics was officially recognized by the International 
        Olympics Committee in February 1988 and is the only organization 
        authorized by the International Olympics Committee to use the word 
        ``Olympics'' worldwide;
Whereas the Flame of Hope is a symbol of the Special Olympics World Games and is 
        lit in a special ceremony in Athens, Greece;
Whereas the Law Enforcement Torch Run is a multinational fundraising campaign 
        for the Special Olympics programs in which the Flame of Hope is run by 
        law enforcement officers to raise funds and awareness for the Special 
        Olympics;
Whereas the cities of Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska will be hosts to the Special 
        Olympics in July 2010; and
Whereas the Special Olympics provides its athletes continuing opportunities to 
        develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and 
        participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their 
        families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates the Special 
Olympics on its 40th anniversary for the contributions and opportunities it 
provides to all its participants.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.