[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 29, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S2465]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        SPECIAL OLYMPICS ALASKA

 Mr. BEGICH. Madam President, I wish to recognize Special 
Olympics Alaska for their outstanding job in improving the lives of 
those with intellectual disabilities.
  Special Olympics was founded by the late Eunice Mary Kennedy Shriver 
in 1962. Mrs. Shriver saw how unfairly people with intellectual 
disabilities were treated and founded Camp Shriver, which eventually 
evolved to Special Olympics in 1968. Special Olympics Alaska also 
traces its beginnings back to 1968, when they held their first State 
games in 1969 in Fairbanks. Since then, the Special Olympics Alaska 
programs have grown to include over 500 athletes and 1,000 volunteers 
around the State.
  Through sports, the athletes are able to see what they are capable of 
achieving and quickly gain confidence. I have seen firsthand how 
Special Olympics Alaska uses the power of sports to help athletes learn 
about friendly competition and sportsmanship, as well as provide them 
with an opportunity to make friendships that will last a lifetime.
  In 2001, Anchorage hosted the Special Olympics World Winter Games. 
More than 1,800 athletes representing 70 countries competed in 7 
Olympic-type winter sports--making this the largest sporting event ever 
held in the history of Alaska. This year, Special Olympics Alaska will 
open its first Athlete Training Center and Campus in Anchorage on May 
8. This facility will give the athletes a dedicated facility to 
practice and prepare for future games in which they will represent 
Alaska.
  I would like to recognize Special Olympics Alaska and all the work 
they do to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. 
I wish the absolute best to the athletes, families and supporters as 
they transition into their new training center.

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