[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 62 (Thursday, April 29, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2808-S2811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HARKIN (for himself, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Reid, Ms.

[[Page S2809]]

        Snowe, Ms. Mikulski, Ms. Collins, Mr. Casey, Mr. Risch, Mr. 
        Franken, and Mr. Johanns):
  S. 3293. A bill to reauthorize the Special Olympics Sport and 
Empowerment Act of 2004, to provide assistance to Best Buddies to 
support the expansion and development of mentoring programs, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions.
  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I have come to the floor, today, to 
introduce the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act. I am very pleased that 
Senator Hatch has joined me in introducing this legislation, as well as 
Senator Dodd, who has been a long time supporter of the Best Buddies 
program. We are also joined by 8 other co-sponsors, both Republicans 
and Democrats, demonstrating the bipartisan support for this 
legislation.
  The Special Olympics program is respected around the world as a model 
and leader in using sport to end the isolation and stigmatization of 
individuals with intellectual disabilities. For more than 40 years, 
Special Olympics has encouraged skill development, sharing, courage and 
confidence through year-round sports training and athletic competition 
for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Through their 
programs, Special Olympics has helped to ensure that millions of 
individuals with intellectual disabilities are assured of equal 
opportunities for community participation, access to appropriate health 
care, and inclusive education, and to experience life in a 
nondiscriminatory manner. Special Olympics gives athletes with 
intellectual disabilities the tools they need to be included in 
society, and it gives society the understanding and tools it needs to 
include them.
  I can speak first-hand about what a rewarding experience it is for 
all of us who have been involved in Special Olympics. In 2006, my State 
of Iowa hosted the first USA National Summer Games. Thousands of 
athletes, volunteers, coaches, and families attended our Games, in 
addition to 30,000 fans and spectators. Ames, IA, was transformed into 
an Olympic Village, and it was thrilling to experience.
  Similarly, the Best Buddies program is dedicated to ending the social 
isolation of people with intellectual disabilities by promoting peer 
support and friendships with their non-disabled peers. The aim is to 
increase the self-esteem, confidence and abilities of people with and 
without intellectual disabilities. Equally important, the Best Buddies 
program has provided opportunities for integrated employment for 
individuals with intellectual disabilities.
  Research shows that participation in activities involving both people 
with intellectual disabilities and people without disabilities results 
in more positive support for inclusion in society, including in 
schools.
  This new bill is named in honor of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who 
devoted her life to improving the lives of people with intellectual 
disabilities around the world. Mrs. Shriver founded and fostered the 
development of Special Olympics and Best Buddies, both of which 
celebrate the possibilities of a world where all people, including 
those with disabilities, have meaningful opportunities for 
participation and inclusion.
  In addition to reauthorizing the former Special Olympics Sports and 
Empowerment Act and providing an authorization for the Best Buddies 
program, this bill will also allow the Department of Education to award 
competitive grants to support increased opportunities for inclusive 
participation by individuals with intellectual disabilities in sports 
and recreation programs.
  I am pleased to be the chief sponsor of this legislation, which will 
continue our support for these important programs which promote the 
extraordinary gifts and contributions of people with intellectual 
disabilities as well as broader community inclusion.
  I urge all my colleagues to join with me, Senator Hatch, Senator 
Dodd, Senator Casey, Senator Collins, Senator Franken, Senator Johanns, 
Senator Mikulski, Senator Reid, Senator Risch, and Senator Snowe in 
supporting this very worthy bill.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 3293

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Eunice 
     Kennedy Shriver Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

            TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS ACT

Sec. 101. Reauthorization.

                         TITLE II--BEST BUDDIES

Sec. 201. Findings and purpose.
Sec. 202. Assistance for Best Buddies.
Sec. 203. Application and annual report.
Sec. 204. Authorization of appropriations.

TITLE III--ESTABLISHMENT OF EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER INSTITUTES FOR SPORT 
                           AND SOCIAL IMPACT

Sec. 301. Findings and purpose.
Sec. 302. Establishment of Institutes.
Sec. 303. Activities of Institutes.
Sec. 304. Authorization of appropriations.

            TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS ACT

     SEC. 101. REAUTHORIZATION.

       Sections 2 through 5 of the Special Olympics Sport and 
     Empowerment Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15001 note) are amended to 
     read as follows:

     ``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, and every 
     person contributes.
       ``(2) The Government and the people of the United States 
     recognize the dignity and value the giftedness of children 
     and adults with intellectual disabilities.
       ``(3) The Government and the people of the United States 
     recognize that children and adults with intellectual 
     disabilities experience significant health disparities, 
     including lack of access to primary care services and 
     difficulties in accessing community-based prevention and 
     treatment programs for chronic diseases.
       ``(4) The Government and the people of the United States 
     are determined to end the isolation and stigmatization of 
     people with intellectual disabilities, and to ensure that 
     such people are assured of equal opportunities for community 
     participation, access to appropriate health care, and 
     inclusive education, and to experience life in a 
     nondiscriminatory manner.
       ``(5) For more than 40 years, Special Olympics has 
     encouraged skill development, sharing, courage, and 
     confidence through year-round sports training and athletic 
     competition for children and adults with intellectual 
     disabilities.
       ``(6) Special Olympics provides year-round sports training 
     and competitive opportunities to more than 3,000,000 athletes 
     with intellectual disabilities in 26 sports and plans to 
     expand the benefits of participation through sport to 
     hundreds of thousands of people with intellectual 
     disabilities within the United States and worldwide over the 
     next 5 years.
       ``(7) Research shows that participation in activities 
     involving both people with intellectual disabilities and 
     nondisabled people results in more positive support for 
     inclusion in society, including in schools.
       ``(8) 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.
       ``(9) In society as a whole, Special Olympics has become a 
     vehicle and platform for reducing prejudice, improving public 
     health, promoting inclusion efforts in schools and 
     communities, and encouraging society to value the 
     contributions of all members.
       ``(10) The Government of the United States enthusiastically 
     supports the Special Olympics movement, 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, including efforts to promote 
     broader community inclusion;
       ``(2) dispel negative stereotypes about people with 
     intellectual disabilities;
       ``(3) build community engagement through sport involvement; 
     and
       ``(4) promote the extraordinary gifts and contributions 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 each of the 
     following:
       ``(1) Activities to promote the expansion of Special 
     Olympics, including activities to increase the full 
     participation of people with intellectual disabilities in 
     athletics, sports and recreation, and other inclusive school

[[Page S2810]]

     and community activities with non-disabled people.
       ``(2) The design and implementation of Special Olympics 
     education programs, including 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, 
     acting through the Assistant Secretary of State for 
     Educational and Cultural Affairs, may award grants to, or 
     enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, Special 
     Olympics to carry out each of the following:
       ``(1) Activities to increase the participation of people 
     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 
     people 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, community-based 
     prevention, data collection, and referrals to direct health 
     care services.
       ``(2) Coordination.--Activities under paragraph (1) shall 
     be coordinated with appropriate health care entities, 
     including private health care providers, entities carrying 
     out local, State, Federal, or international programs, and 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 each of the following:
       ``(A) Activities.--A description of activities to be 
     carried out with the grant, contract, or cooperative 
     agreement.
       ``(B) Measurable goals.--A description of specific 
     measurable annual benchmarks and long-term goals and 
     objectives to be achieved through specified activities 
     carried out with the grant, contract, or cooperative 
     agreement, which specified activities shall include, at a 
     minimum, each of the following activities:
       ``(i) Activities to increase the full participation of 
     people with intellectual disabilities in athletics, sports 
     and recreation, and other inclusive school and community 
     activities with nondisabled people.
       ``(ii) Education programs that dispel negative stereotypes 
     about people with intellectual disabilities.
       ``(iii) Activities to increase the participation of people 
     with intellectual disabilities in Special Olympics outside of 
     the United States.
       ``(iv) Health-related activities as described in section 
     3(c).
       ``(b) Annual Report.--
       ``(1) In general.--As a condition on receipt of any funds 
     for a program 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--
       ``(A) the degree to which progress has been made toward 
     meeting the annual benchmarks and long-term goals and 
     objectives described in the applications submitted under 
     subsection (a); and
       ``(B) demographic data about Special Olympics participants, 
     including the number of people with intellectual disabilities 
     served in each program referred to in paragraph (1).

     ``SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``There are authorized to be appropriated--
       ``(1) for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements 
     under section 3(a), $9,500,000 for fiscal year 2011, 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), $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2011, 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), $8,500,000 for fiscal year 2011, and such 
     sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal 
     years.''.

                         TITLE II--BEST BUDDIES

     SEC. 201. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) Best Buddies operates the first national social and 
     recreational program in the United States for people with 
     intellectual disabilities.
       (2) Best Buddies is dedicated to helping people with 
     intellectual disabilities become part of mainstream society.
       (3) Best Buddies is determined to end social isolation for 
     people with intellectual disabilities by promoting meaningful 
     friendships between them and their non-disabled peers in 
     order to help increase the self-esteem, confidence, and 
     abilities of people with and without intellectual 
     disabilities.
       (4) Since 1989, Best Buddies has enhanced the lives of 
     people with intellectual disabilities by providing 
     opportunities for 1-to-1 friendships and integrated 
     employment.
       (5) Best Buddies is an international organization spanning 
     1,300 middle school, high school, and college campuses.
       (6) Best Buddies implements programs that will positively 
     impact more than 700,000 individuals in 2010.
       (7) The Best Buddies Middle Schools program matches middle 
     school students with intellectual disabilities with other 
     middle school students and supports 1-to-1 friendships 
     between them.
       (8) The Best Buddies High Schools program matches high 
     school students with intellectual disabilities with other 
     high school students and supports 1-to-1 friendships between 
     them.
       (9) The Best Buddies Colleges program matches adults with 
     intellectual disabilities with college students and creates 
     1-to-1 friendships between them.
       (10) The Best Buddies e-Buddies program supports e-mail 
     friendships between people with and without intellectual 
     disabilities.
       (11) The Best Buddies Citizens program pairs adults with 
     intellectual disabilities in 1-to-1 friendships with other 
     people in the corporate and civic communities.
       (12) The Best Buddies Jobs program promotes the integration 
     of people with intellectual disabilities into the community 
     through supported employment.
       (b) Purpose.--The purposes of this Act are to--
       (1) provide support to Best Buddies to increase 
     participation in and public awareness about Best Buddies 
     programs that serve people with intellectual disabilities;
       (2) dispel negative stereotypes about people with 
     intellectual disabilities; and
       (3) promote the extraordinary contributions of people with 
     intellectual disabilities.

     SEC. 202. ASSISTANCE FOR BEST BUDDIES.

       (a) Education Activities.--The Secretary of Education may 
     award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative 
     agreements with, Best Buddies to carry out activities to 
     promote the expansion of Best Buddies, including activities 
     to increase the participation of people with intellectual 
     disabilities in social relationships and other aspects of 
     community life, including education and employment, within 
     the United States.
       (b) Limitations.--
       (1) In general.--Amounts appropriated to carry out this Act 
     may not be used for direct treatment of diseases, medical 
     conditions, or mental health conditions.
       (2) Administrative activities.--Not more than 5 percent of 
     amounts appropriated to carry out this Act for a fiscal year 
     may be used for administrative activities.
       (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be 
     construed to limit the use of non-Federal funds by Best 
     Buddies.

     SEC. 203. APPLICATION AND ANNUAL REPORT.

       (a) Application.--
       (1) In general.--To be eligible for a grant, contract, or 
     cooperative agreement under section 202(a), Best Buddies 
     shall submit an application at such time, in such manner, and 
     containing such information as the Secretary of Education may 
     require.
       (2) Content.--At a minimum, an application under this 
     subsection shall contain the following:
       (A) A description of activities to be carried out under the 
     grant, contract, or cooperative agreement.
       (B) Information on specific measurable goals and objectives 
     to be achieved through activities carried out under the 
     grant, contract, or cooperative agreement.
       (b) Annual Report.--
       (1) In general.--As a condition of receipt of any funds 
     under section 202(a), Best Buddies shall agree to submit an 
     annual report at such time, in such manner, and containing 
     such information as the Secretary of Education 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 specific measurable goals and 
     objectives described in the applications submitted under 
     subsection (a).

     SEC. 204. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Education for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements 
     under section 202(a), $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2011 and 
     such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding 
     fiscal years.

TITLE III--ESTABLISHMENT OF EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER INSTITUTES FOR SPORT 
                           AND SOCIAL IMPACT

     SEC. 301. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress finds as follows:
       (1) For more than 50 years, Eunice Kennedy Shriver 
     dedicated her life, energies, and resources without bounds to 
     improving the lives of people with intellectual and 
     developmental disabilities around the world. She

[[Page S2811]]

     stands as the iconic founder and leader of one of the most 
     important disability rights movements in history.
       (2) Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded and influenced the 
     development of Special Olympics and Best Buddies, both of 
     which celebrate the possibilities of a world where everybody 
     matters, everybody counts, every person has value, and every 
     person has worth.
       (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this title to improve 
     and advance opportunities for people with intellectual 
     disabilities to fully participate and engage in inclusive 
     sports and recreation, social activities, and other community 
     opportunities, through--
       (1) conducting research, data collection, and evaluation 
     activities;
       (2) providing technical assistance and training;
       (3) fostering and promoting interdisciplinary 
     collaboration, cooperation, and partnerships; and
       (4) commemorating the work and contributions of Eunice 
     Kennedy Shriver and encouraging others to emulate her 
     leadership, including her efforts to encourage and promote 
     greater social and community opportunities for people with 
     intellectual disabilities and their families.

     SEC. 302. ESTABLISHMENT OF INSTITUTES.

       (a) In General.--From the amount made available under 
     section 304 that is not reserved under subsection (g), the 
     Secretary of Education shall award competitive grants to one 
     or more eligible entities for the purpose of establishing 
     Eunice Kennedy Shriver Institutes for Sport and Social Impact 
     (referred to in this title as ``Institutes'').
       (b) Eligible Entity.--In this title, the term ``eligible 
     entity'' means an institution of higher education (as defined 
     in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 1001(a))) with demonstrated expertise and experience 
     in research, technical assistance, and training related to 
     improving and advancing opportunities for people with 
     intellectual disabilities to fully participate and engage in 
     inclusive community opportunities, in partnership with a 
     nonprofit organization with demonstrated expertise and 
     experience in inclusive sports, recreation, social, 
     educational, and community opportunities for people with 
     intellectual disabilities.
       (c) Grant Period.--Each grant awarded under this title 
     shall be for a 3-year period.
       (d) Grant Recipient Contribution.--An eligible entity 
     receiving a grant under this title shall provide a 
     contribution (which may include an in-kind contribution), in 
     an amount not less than 25 percent of the costs of the 
     activities assisted under the grant, to carry out such 
     activities.
       (e) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Funds made available under 
     this title shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, 
     other Federal, State, and local funds expended to carry out 
     the purpose of this title.
       (f) Application.--An eligible entity that desires to 
     receive a grant under this title shall submit an application 
     to the Secretary of Education at such time, in such manner, 
     and containing such information and assurances as the 
     Secretary may require. Such application shall, at a minimum, 
     include--
       (1) a description of activities to be carried out 
     consistent with section 303; and
       (2) proposed annual measurable benchmarks and long-term 
     goals and objectives to be achieved through such activities.
       (g) Reservation of Funds for National Activities.--From the 
     amount appropriated under section 304, the Secretary of 
     Education shall reserve not more than 10 percent to enter 
     into a cooperative agreement, on a competitive basis, with an 
     eligible entity for the purpose of implementing national 
     coordination activities, including development of mechanisms 
     for communication between grant recipients, dissemination of 
     information resulting from activities under the grants, and 
     technical assistance to grant recipients.

     SEC. 303. ACTIVITIES OF INSTITUTES.

       (a) In General.--Each eligible entity that receives a grant 
     under this title shall use the grant to advance the quality 
     of life and inclusion of people with intellectual 
     disabilities through research and evaluation, technical 
     assistance, training, data collection, evaluation, 
     collaboration, and dissemination of evidence-based best 
     practices.
       (b) Required Activities.--
       (1) In general.--Each eligible entity receiving a grant 
     under this title shall use grant funds to--
       (A) establish a research agenda and annual measurable 
     benchmarks and long-term goals, and conduct research and 
     evaluation of evidence-based best practices, to improve the 
     quality of life and further the social inclusion of people 
     with intellectual disabilities, in cooperation and 
     consultation with--
       (i) people with intellectual disabilities;
       (ii) family members of people with intellectual 
     disabilities;
       (iii) University Centers for Excellence in Developmental 
     Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (as designated 
     in section 151 of the Developmental Disabilities Act (42 
     U.S.C. 15061)); and
       (iv) other relevant Federal, State, and local entities 
     conducting research related to people with intellectual 
     disabilities;
       (B) provide training and technical assistance to people 
     with intellectual disabilities, families of people with 
     intellectual disabilities, nonprofit organizations, public 
     entities, educational programs, recreation programs, and 
     others to increase opportunities for inclusive participation 
     by such people in sports and recreation, social 
     opportunities, education, and the community, including 
     provision of assistance to programs and entities serving 
     primarily non-disabled people in order to successfully 
     include people with intellectual disabilities in activities 
     with non-disabled people;
       (C) collect and analyze data related to barriers to, and 
     factors assuring, access to full inclusion and participation 
     in community and quality of life for people with intellectual 
     disabilities, including demographic data; and
       (D) report on the research, findings, conclusions, and 
     recommendations resulting from the activities of the grant.
       (2) Research and evaluation.--Research, evaluation, and 
     data collection described in paragraph (1)(A) shall include--
       (A) best practices in preventive health and wellness for 
     people with intellectual disabilities, including sports and 
     recreational activities;
       (B) identification of barriers to, and factors assuring, 
     access to full inclusion and participation in community and 
     quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities;
       (C) best practices in supporting independence, community 
     living, and inclusive social engagement for people with 
     intellectual disabilities;
       (D) physical and mental health disparities for people with 
     intellectual disabilities; and
       (E) other relevant activities related to the purpose of 
     this title, as described by the eligible entity in the 
     application submitted under section 302(f).
       (c) Report.--Each recipient of a grant under this title 
     shall prepare and submit to the Secretary of Education an 
     annual report that includes information on progress made in 
     achieving the projected goals and outcomes of the activities 
     of the Institute for the previous year, including demographic 
     information on the populations served and measurable 
     accomplishments in advancing the quality of life and 
     inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in the 
     community.

     SEC. 304. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     title such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2011 
     through 2015.

                          ____________________