[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 26 (Tuesday, March 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E378]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF ROSEMARY KENNEDY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ROY BLUNT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 8, 2005

  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to say a few words about the 
remarkable life of Rosemary Kennedy, who passed away at age 86 on 
January 7.
  She was not the most famous member of her family. Hers was a more 
private life than those of her siblings. But it was not a life without 
public consequences and enormous benefit to those around her.
  The example of her perseverance and her dignity helped to raise 
awareness about people living with mental disabilities--not just about 
their problems, but about their potential. That example inspired her 
sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, to establish the Special Olympics. It 
has been going strong now for 37 years. Last year, it was my honor to 
co-author an historic Congressional authorization for Special Olympics 
with my good friend Steny Hoyer. It is our hope that the authorization 
will help this successful program to grow even more.
  I am pleased that the United States Congress is now counted among 
those who enthusiastically support Special Olympics and recognize its 
unique importance in improving the lives of people with intellectual 
disabilities. Through the Special Olympics, Rosemary Kennedy has 
brought hope to millions of people around the world who either have 
disabilities or love someone who does.
  In her eulogy for her sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver said, ``Today, 
in villages and cities all over the world, Rosemary's name may be 
little known, but her love is making a huge difference--to a mother of 
a special child, she is a success story. To a person struggling against 
misunderstanding and prejudice, she is a model of courage. To a family 
wondering how to stay hopeful, she is a symbol of the ultimate gift 
that sustains us all: love itself.''
  Timothy Shriver, Rosemary Kennedy's nephew and the chairman of 
Special Olympics, said, ``All of the Shrivers and all of the Special 
Olympics family around the world will miss Rosemary's love and her 
influence on the world. Her life and her example will continue to be 
our daily inspiration.''
  That's a sentiment that I believe all of us can second.

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