[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 32 (Wednesday, March 6, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1230-S1232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HARKIN (for himself and Mr. Blunt):
  S. 475. 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 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. 475

       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 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 creates 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 4,200,000 athletes 
     with intellectual disabilities in 30 individual and team 
     sports and plans to expand the benefits of participation 
     through sport to more than a million additional people with 
     intellectual disabilities within the United States and 
     worldwide over the next 5 years.

[[Page S1231]]

       ``(7) 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.
       ``(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. In the United 
     States, for example, adults with intellectual disabilities 
     who have participated in Special Olympics have a 100 percent 
     greater chance of being employed than adults with 
     intellectual disabilities who have not.
       ``(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 their families, 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 and establish positive 
     attitudes about people with intellectual disabilities;
       ``(3) build community engagement through sports and related 
     activities; 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 
     and community activities with people without disabilities.
       ``(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 
     community settings, 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 of people with intellectual 
     disabilities and the unique contributions that people with 
     intellectual disabilities can make to society, and to promote 
     active support for sports programs for people with 
     intellectual disabilities.
       ``(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 people without disabilities.
       ``(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 and promote volunteerism on behalf of such 
     activities.
       ``(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 2014, 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 2014, 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 2014, 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 typical 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 
     1,500 middle school, high school, and college campuses.
       (6) Best Buddies implements programs that will positively 
     impact more than 700,000 individuals in 2013.
       (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.
       (13) The Best Buddies Ambassadors program educates and 
     empowers people with intellectual disabilities to be leaders 
     and public speakers in their schools, communities, and 
     workplaces. Best Buddies Ambassadors prepares people with 
     intellectual disabilities to become active agents of change.
       (14) Best Buddies Promoters empowers youth to become 
     advocates for people with intellectual disabilities. Students 
     who take part in Best Buddies Promoters are introduced to the 
     disability rights movement and the importance of inclusion 
     through local awareness events.
       (b) Purpose.--The purposes of this title 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

[[Page S1232]]

       (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.--Amounts appropriated to carry out this 
     title may not be used for direct treatment of diseases, 
     medical conditions, or mental health conditions.
       (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this title 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), $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and 
     such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding 
     fiscal years.
                                 ______