[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 125 (Wednesday, October 6, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H8311-H8314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           SPECIAL OLYMPICS SPORT AND EMPOWERMENT ACT OF 2004

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5131) to provide assistance to Special Olympics to support 
expansion of Special Olympics and development of education programs and 
a Healthy Athletes Program, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 5131

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Special Olympics Sport and 
     Empowerment Act of 2004''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) Special Olympics celebrates the possibilities of a 
     world where everybody matters, everybody counts, every person 
     has value, and every person has worth.
       (2) The Government and the people of the United States 
     recognize the dignity and value the giftedness of children 
     and adults with an intellectual disability.
       (3) The Government and the people of the United States are 
     determined to end the isolation and stigmatization of people 
     with an intellectual disability.
       (4) For more than 36 years, Special Olympics has encouraged 
     skill, sharing, courage, and joy through year-round sports 
     training and athletic competition for children and adults 
     with intellectual disabilities.
       (5) Special Olympics provides year-round sports training 
     and competitive opportunities to 1,500,000 athletes with 
     intellectual disabilities in 26 sports and plans to expand 
     the joy of participation through sport to hundreds of 
     thousands of people with intellectual disabilities within the 
     United States and worldwide over the next 5 years.
       (6) Special Olympics has demonstrated its ability to 
     provide a major positive effect on the quality of life of 
     people with intellectual disabilities, improving their health 
     and physical well-being, building their confidence and self-
     esteem, and giving them a voice to become active and 
     productive members of their communities.
       (7) In society as a whole, Special Olympics has become a 
     vehicle and platform for breaking down artificial barriers, 
     improving public health, changing negative attitudes in 
     education, and helping athletes overcome the prejudice that 
     people with intellectual disabilities face in too many 
     places.
       (8) The Government of the United States enthusiastically 
     supports Special Olympics, recognizes its importance in 
     improving the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, 
     and recognizes Special Olympics as a valued and important 
     component of the global community.
       (b) Purpose.--The purposes of this Act are to--
       (1) provide support to Special Olympics to increase athlete 
     participation in and public awareness about the Special 
     Olympics movement;
       (2) dispel negative stereotypes about people with 
     intellectual disabilities;
       (3) build athletic and family involvement through sport; 
     and
       (4) promote the extraordinary gifts of people with 
     intellectual disabilities.

     SEC. 3. ASSISTANCE FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS.

       (a) Education Activities.--The Secretary of Education may 
     award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative 
     agreements with, Special Olympics to carry out the following:
       (1) Activities to promote the expansion of Special 
     Olympics, including activities to increase the participation 
     of individuals with intellectual disabilities within the 
     United States.
       (2) The design and implementation of Special Olympics 
     education programs, including

[[Page H8312]]

     character education and volunteer programs that support the 
     purposes of this Act, that can be integrated into classroom 
     instruction and are consistent with academic content 
     standards.
       (b) International Activities.--The Secretary of State may 
     award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative 
     agreements with, Special Olympics to carry out the following:
       (1) Activities to increase the participation of individuals 
     with intellectual disabilities in Special Olympics outside of 
     the United States.
       (2) Activities to improve the awareness outside of the 
     United States of the abilities and unique contributions that 
     individuals with intellectual disabilities can make to 
     society.
       (c) Healthy Athletes.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
     may award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative 
     agreements with, Special Olympics for the implementation of 
     on-site health assessments, screening for health problems, 
     health education, data collection, and referrals to direct 
     health care services.
       (2) Coordination.--Activities under paragraph (1) shall be 
     coordinated with private health providers, existing 
     authorized programs of State and local jurisdictions, or the 
     Department of Health and Human Services, as applicable.
       (d) Limitation.--Amounts appropriated to carry out this 
     section shall not be used for direct treatment of diseases, 
     medical conditions, or mental health conditions. Nothing in 
     the preceding sentence shall be construed to limit the use of 
     non-Federal funds by Special Olympics.

     SEC. 4. APPLICATION AND ANNUAL REPORT.

       (a) Application.--
       (1) In general.--To be eligible for a grant, contract, or 
     cooperative agreement under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of 
     section 3, Special Olympics shall submit an application at 
     such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
     the Secretary of Education, Secretary of State, or Secretary 
     of Health and Human Services, as applicable, may require.
       (2) Content.--At a minimum, an application under this 
     subsection shall contain the following:
       (A) Activities.--A description of activities to be carried 
     out with the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement.
       (B) Measurable goals.--Information on specific measurable 
     goals and objectives to be achieved through activities 
     carried out with the grant, contract, or cooperative 
     agreement.
       (b) Annual Report.--
       (1) In general.--As a condition on receipt of any funds 
     under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of section 3, Special 
     Olympics shall agree to submit an annual report at such time, 
     in such manner, and containing such information as the 
     Secretary of Education, Secretary of State, or Secretary of 
     Health and Human Services, as applicable, may require.
       (2) Content.--At a minimum, each annual report under this 
     subsection shall describe the degree to which progress has 
     been made toward meeting the goals and objectives described 
     in the applications submitted under subsection (a).

     SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated--
       (1) for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under 
     section 3(a), $5,500,000 for fiscal year 2005, and such sums 
     as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal 
     years;
       (2) for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under 
     section 3(b), $3,500,000 for fiscal year 2005, and such sums 
     as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal 
     years; and
       (3) for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under 
     section 3(c), $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 
     through 2009.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. McKeon) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon).


                             General Leave

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 5131.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the remaining 
time I control be controlled by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Blunt), the distinguished majority whip
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I certainly am grateful to my friend, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. McKeon), and his committee for sending this bill 
directly to the floor. I am pleased to be a sponsor of this historic 
legislation to provide support to the Special Olympics organization 
founded by Eunice Shriver over three decades ago and to the thousands 
of athletes who participate in these games.
  This authorization proves the commitment of the United States 
Congress to this positive organization and all of its participants. 
Special Olympics is an international organization dedicated to 
empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities who become 
physically fit, productive and respected members of society through 
sports training and competition.
  Special Olympics has become an important vehicle and platform for 
breaking down artificial barriers, improving public health, changing 
negative attitudes in education, and helping athletes overcome the 
prejudice that people with their disabilities often face.
  Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and competitive 
opportunities for nearly 1.5 million athletes in 26 different sports. 
In my home State of Missouri, Special Olympics serves nearly 14,000 
athletes ranging from 8 to 80 years old.
  With the resources we hope to authorize today, Special Olympics plans 
to expand participation to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide 
over the next 5 years. These new resources will also help Special 
Olympics continue the vision, dental, hearing, and nutritional health 
screenings they currently provide for their athletes. These services 
are handled entirely by volunteer health professionals and are critical 
to enhancing the lives of people who might otherwise go completely 
without care.
  Finally, these resources will allow students of all abilities the 
chance to learn about differences and engage in creating local Special 
Olympics teams and events as part of a school-based curriculum. 
Children and adults with intellectual disabilities who participate in 
Special Olympics develop improved physical fitness and motor skills, 
greater self-confidence, and a more positive self-image.
  I would like to thank my colleague across the aisle, the gentleman 
from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the Democratic whip, for his leadership on 
this issue. It is probably not as often as it should be that Democrats 
and Republicans, Senators and House Members stand together in total 
agreement on an issue of this importance. We have worked hard with our 
friends in the other body to see that that happens.
  The government of the United States of America enthusiastically 
supports Special Olympics and recognizes its importance in improving 
the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, and I urge my 
colleagues to move forward and pass this legislation at the end of our 
debate.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  First, Mr. Speaker, let me say how pleased I am to have had the 
opportunity to work with the majority whip on this legislation. I want 
to say that the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt) is my friend, and 
he and I have had the opportunity to work on a number of issues 
together. He was extraordinarily helpful with the Help America Vote 
Act, and he and I, as some may know, meet on a regular basis and have 
lunch either in his office or in my office.
  The majority whip referenced our working together in a bipartisan 
way. I think he is absolutely correct, this is an example of how we can 
work together and how when we do work together we can do very 
productive and positive things.
  At the outset, I want to thank April Ponnuru for the work that she 
has done, a member of the staff of the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Blunt), as well as my own staff member, Jane Sung. Both of them have 
worked very hard to get this legislation to where it is today.
  I am pleased, of course, to support the Special Olympics Sport and 
Empowerment Act 2004, which the gentleman from Missouri and I, and 
others, have cosponsored. In 1968, Mr. Speaker, at the launch of the 
first Special Olympics games, Eunice Kennedy Shriver repeated the words 
of the ancient Roman gladiators and said, ``Let me win. But if I cannot 
win, let me be

[[Page H8313]]

brave in the attempt.'' This has since become the Special Olympics 
athletes' pledge.
  Special Olympics has a remarkable history. It began with Eunice 
Shriver, who believed that people with intellectual disabilities were 
underestimated and deserved the same opportunities and experiences as 
the rest of society. In 1962, she began a day camp in her back yard in 
Maryland, where individuals with intellectual disabilities could 
participate in physical activities.
  It is ironic that I met Eunice and Sarge Shriver in 1962 at the 
Washingtonian Motel at the Young Democrats convention that year. Sarge 
Shriver was our speaker. Since that time, I have become and been a very 
good friend of Sarge Shriver and Eunice Shriver. Her work in the 
ensuing years led quickly to expanded multiple camps and eventually to 
the first international Special Olympics in 1968. Today, under the 
leadership of Chairman and CEO Timothy Shriver, the Special Olympics is 
a worldwide movement with nearly 1.5 million participating athletes in 
150 countries around the world; one person with an idea and a vision 
starting something in her backyard, one person who had been given 
substantial benefits in life but who knew that she wanted to use those 
benefits, as so many in her family have done, for the benefit of all.
  The bill that we are considering today is about the future of Special 
Olympics.

                              {time}  2245

  This bill will help Special Olympics take the next steps to reach 
more athletes in more aspects of their lives. For example, Mr. Speaker, 
this bill will formally authorize the critical ``healthy athletes'' 
program, where tens of thousands of athletes receive health care 
screenings at competition venues.
  This bill will also allow Special Olympics to develop educational 
programs for athletes, including character education and volunteer 
opportunities. Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, this bill will allow Special 
Olympics to further expand their reach internationally through cultural 
exchanges and other programs in cooperation with the State Department. 
How very important this is at a time when tensions are so high in so 
many areas of the world, and this program can seek to ease those 
tensions while at the same time giving opportunities to the 
intellectually disadvantaged.
  But what distinguishes this from so many bills that we consider in 
this body is that, at its core, the biggest success of Special Olympics 
is not simply how it empowers and improves the lives of the athletes 
involved. The biggest success is how it affects the attitudes of 
millions of others. I do not know how many in this body have ever been 
huggers. That term is not used today, an analogous term is used, but 
being a hugger was being involved at the Special Olympics and, as those 
athletes competed, knowing full well that it was in the competition 
that they succeeded, to congratulate them, to, yes, indeed, physically 
hug them and say, well done, good job, you're special, what an 
incredible difference that has made in the lives of so many.
  Special Olympics has helped to reverse prejudices and stigmas that 
are often too unfairly put upon people with intellectual disabilities. 
With Special Olympics, the world sees for itself that people with 
intellectual disabilities can be, and are, exceptional athletes and can 
compete, achieve and, yes, win.
  I am pleased that the House of Representatives can play a role in 
this mission. Mr. Speaker, I had the great honor of being one of the 
cosponsors of the Americans with Disabilities bill. That was passed in 
1990 and signed by President Bush into law. He said at the time of 
signing, and we have said since, that this bill opened opportunities 
and focused on what people could do, what their ability was, not what 
their disability was. This bill takes another step forward in ensuring 
that one of the finest programs that we have in America and around the 
world, the Special Olympics, will thrive, expand and serve even 
millions more.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in very strong support of this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Cantor), the chief deputy whip.
  Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the majority whip for yielding me 
this time and congratulate him for bringing this bill forward. I also 
thank the minority whip, the gentleman from Maryland, for his work on 
this piece of legislation. I, too, rise in support of this bill. I 
think I, too, have been a hugger. I know many of our colleagues in this 
House have attended several Special Olympics events and have seen 
firsthand the limitless capabilities of these athletes. I am encouraged 
just about the prospects of how many more athletes will be drawn to 
these events because of the passage of this legislation.
  A few years ago, Special Olympics Virginia received a grant that 
allowed the organization to implement a program specifically aimed at 
Richmond's inner city and giving individuals there otherwise bound to a 
life without physical athletic competition just a whole new outlook. 
Over a period of 4 years, the program grew to serve over 1,000 
athletes. I am hopeful that this legislation will serve as a catalyst 
for the same type of growth all across the Commonwealth of Virginia and 
throughout our country.
  I would like to recognize Paul Marretti from my district who is a 
Special Olympics global messenger. Paul educates individuals around the 
world about the mission, philosophy and benefits of Special Olympics. 
He is a true leader who is committed to educating people, including 
Members of Congress, about this incredible program as well as 
introducing it and attracting more athletes to it.
  I would also like to recognize Mr. Roy Zeidman, Mr. Rick Jeffreys and 
everyone at Special Olympics Virginia who make such a difference in so 
many lives. I am hopeful that this legislation will further help all of 
them in their efforts.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy), the nephew of Eunice 
Shriver, a member of the family that has contributed so much to the 
welfare of this country and to the welfare of our people.
  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good 
friend and colleague, the minority whip, the gentleman from Maryland 
(Mr. Hoyer) for his leadership and thank him for his friendship to my 
Aunt Eunice and my Uncle Sarge Shriver. Growing up, I recall many times 
when I saw him in the house, and now I enjoy serving with him in this 
House.
  To Majority Whip Blunt, I want to thank him as well for his 
spearheading this effort. It means a lot to so many millions of 
Americans, but it means a lot to me and my family that he would do such 
a thing and take his leadership position to help those who are often 
the most vulnerable in our society. It says a lot about him. I respect 
him for it.
  As the gentleman from Maryland said, the motto of Special Olympics 
is, ``Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the 
attempt.'' These inspiring words have really been the hallmark of 
Special Olympics, and I am proud to stand with my colleagues in support 
of H.R. 5131, the Special Olympics Empowerment Act.
  When my Aunt Eunice created the Special Olympics over 36 years ago 
from a grant by my family's foundation, the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., 
Foundation which was named after my uncle who died in World War II, she 
had hoped to create an opportunity for those with intellectual 
disabilities like my Aunt Rosemary. She hoped to create a forum in 
which not only her sister Rosemary but others could dispel the myths 
associated with their disabilities.
  The creation of Special Olympics has allowed over 1.5 million persons 
around the globe the opportunity to compete athletically in over 25 
sports. The Special Olympics has become a vehicle and a platform to 
break down artificial barriers, improve public health, change negative 
attitudes in education and help athletes overcome the intolerance held 
against them due merely to their intellectual disability.
  This act will provide funds to the Special Olympics in order to carry 
out an expansion of the organization and increase the participation of 
potential athletes. The funding would also permit Special Olympics to 
increase the

[[Page H8314]]

activity of the organization well beyond our borders and further 
awareness outside the United States of the contributions that 
individuals with intellectual disabilities can make in their society.
  I had the opportunity with many of my colleagues to travel over to 
Iraq several months ago. I was asked by the liaison for the military 
what were some of the things that I would be interested in learning 
when I went over there. My Aunt Eunice always was after us to make sure 
we asked, wherever we were, how people with intellectual disabilities 
were being treated. Especially traveling around the world, I thought 
this was something that was important for me to follow through, so I 
asked the liaison to find out for me whether I could not meet the 
Special Olympics team of Iraq which had just competed in the 
international games in Ireland. I was in Saddam Hussein's palace, 
surrounded by thousands and thousands of both military and civilian 
workers helping to reconstruct that country. I was with my colleagues 
and someone came and touched me on the shoulder and said, ``Congressman 
Kennedy, your group is here to meet with you.'' Of course, I was 
excited about going down the hall and seeing the Special Olympics team 
of Iraq. I went down the hall, and there was the Special Olympics team 
of Iraq and surrounding them were practically every worker in Saddam 
Hussein's palace, all there with smiles on their faces. It had melted 
the place. These are people who were consumed with war, and on the 
sight of the inspirational Special Olympics, they just smiled. I think 
that says so much about the power of Special Olympics; it shows our 
common humanity. No matter where we are in the world, we are all 
members of the same human family. Nothing drives that message home more 
than the Special Olympics. I think that is what is really the power 
behind it. I am convinced that the power of this legislation is that we 
can have our international diplomacy moved forward tremendously just by 
expanding the Special Olympics program, because who is going to want to 
do war if they see the power of peace and love that the Special 
Olympics embodies.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Missouri and the gentleman from 
Maryland for their leadership.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  In closing, let me again thank the majority whip for his diligence 
and leadership in working on this legislation and for ensuring its 
passage before we leave here for the election period. He has been a 
privilege to work with. His commitment to this objective is very clear 
and very powerful. I thank him. I join with him in supporting this 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I want to again thank my friend from Maryland 
(Mr. Hoyer) and both of our staffs for their work together and their 
work with the other body to see that we do get this legislation passed 
not just here but headed to the President's desk before we are done 
here in the next few days. It is always a pleasure to work with the 
gentleman from Maryland. I was pleased we were able to do this 
effectively with our friends on the other side of the building as well. 
Certainly, the gentleman from Rhode Island's aunt, Eunice Shriver, is a 
person who has made a difference in the lives of millions because she 
reached out to make a difference. Today, we have an opportunity to 
reach out and join her in that effort. I am pleased to be part of this 
bipartisan effort to make Special Olympics officially something 
recognized and encouraged by the United States Government.

                                             Special Olympics,

                                  Washington, DC, October 5, 2004.
     Hon. Roy Blunt,
     House Majority Whip,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Blunt: On behalf of our athletes, families, 
     volunteers, and staff around the world, I would like to thank 
     you for your leadership in introducing the historic ``Special 
     Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004,'' H.R. 5131 that 
     will authorize $15 million per year for the next 5 years to 
     support the expansion of Special Olympics programs. We are 
     equally elated that Senator Santorum is leading the effort to 
     pass the companion bill in the Senate.
       We consider it an honor that you recognize Special Olympics 
     as a responsible and accomplished steward of federal funding. 
     Indeed, millions of individuals with intellectual 
     disabilities, as well as their families and countless 
     communities, have benefited from our programs. Passage of the 
     ``Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004'' will 
     allow us to substantially expand these successful programs, 
     including Healthy Athletes. As you know, Healthy Athletes 
     provides much needed health care screenings and services to 
     address preventable secondary health conditions such as 
     obesity, poor fitness, nutritional deficiencies, untreated or 
     poorly treated vision, and dental, hearing, and podiatric 
     problems. Expansion of the program is particularly important 
     since people with intellectual disabilities have a 40% higher 
     risk of the health conditions referenced above.
       I understand that some concern has been raised that the 
     funding contained in H.R. 5131 may be used for abortion, 
     abortion referral, or sex education. Please be assured that 
     Special Olympics has not provided nor referred such services 
     in the past; we would never use federal funds for such a 
     purpose. I would be happy to discuss such concerns with you 
     or your colleagues if necessary.
       Thank you again for your leadership.
           Sincerely,
                                        Timothy P. Shriver, Ph.D.,
                                                   Chairman & CEO.

  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Murphy). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5131.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________