[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 83 (Friday, May 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E963-E964]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THE EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 27, 2010

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in proud support of H.R. 
5190, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act, which reaffirms this body's 
support of the goals and accomplishments of the Special Olympics.
  For over four decades now, the Special Olympics has improved the 
health, confidence and self-esteem of Americans with intellectual 
disabilities. In fact, it has become such an institution now that we 
sometimes take it for granted, and forget what life was like for the 
intellectually disabled before the Special Olympics. Too often, these 
Americans were shuttered away in institutions, sentenced to lives of 
solitude, emptiness and sadness.
  But today, thanks to the hard work of the late Eunice Kennedy 
Shriver, her son Timothy Shriver, and countless volunteers over the 
past four decades, Americans with intellectual disabilities are now 
much more woven into the fabric of community life. Over three million 
Special Olympians hailing from 180 countries now train and compete 
year-round in 30 sports and counting.
  In sum, the Special Olympics works to break down barriers of 
prejudice against the intellectually disabled, improve the public 
health, and bring communities together

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through promoting shared values of dedication, athleticism, 
perseverance, teamwork, and play.
  The good work of the Special Olympics is summed up in its motto: 
``Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.'' It 
is a motto that captures the spirit of the organization, and of the 
champion and visionary who worked so hard on its behalf for so many 
years, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. And it is only fitting this bill, 
reauthorizing the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004, 
be given her name.
  I encourage my colleagues to be brave today, to stand up for 
Americans with intellectual disabilities, and to support the Eunice 
Kennedy Shriver Act and the Special Olympics.

                          ____________________