[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 63 (Monday, May 7, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD

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                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 7, 2012

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and 
commend the efforts of the Spread the Word to End the Word Campaign; a 
grassroots organization founded by college and high school students 
toward promoting greater awareness and respect for people with 
intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  Created by young people with disabilities and their typical peers, 
Spread the Word to End the Word promotes the undeniable truth that 
everyone matters, everyone is accepted and, most importantly, everyone 
is valued. Today, young activists across the country are leading local 
efforts to raise awareness and collect pledges from peers and the 
community to vow not to use the word ``retarded'' and recognize the 
first Wednesday of every March as a national awareness day for The 
Spread the Word to End the Word campaign.
  Best Buddies and Special Olympics participants across the nation have 
enthusiastically taken the pledge to stop the derogatory use of the 
word ``retarded,'' and have collectively encouraged hundreds of 
thousands of others to do the same. I am proud to speak about this 
amazing group of young activists who are spreading hope each and every 
day; not just in their own communities but across the country and the 
world by making communities inclusive of people of all ability levels.
  I am proud to have taken the pledge, and I thank all who also pledge 
to think of others before they speak and, in so doing, promote 
universal human dignity.

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