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







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1279

          Recognizing the Special Olympics' 40th anniversary.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 17, 2008

Mr. Terry submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Foreign Affairs

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                               RESOLUTION


 
          Recognizing the Special Olympics' 40th anniversary.

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.
                                 <all>