[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 108 (Monday, July 13, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1053]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 13, 2015

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
significance of the Special Olympics which has established strong and 
lasting competitive bonds worldwide while simultaneously teaching the 
world that all people, regardless of their personal struggles, possess 
the same courage and profound joy in the face of athletic competition.
  The Special Olympics has dedicated itself to empowering individuals 
with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive, 
and respected members of society through physical education and sport 
competition.
  The origins of this important institution began in the 1950's when 
Eunice Kennedy Shriver witnessed how children and young adults with 
intellectual disabilities were being treated by their communities, 
throughout our country with incredible disrespect.
  As her vision slowly came to reality, she began to hold special 
summer camps for young adults with disabilities in her own back-yard.
  Throughout the 1960's, Eunice Kennedy Shriver continued as the 
influential voice which assisted in shaping President John F. Kennedy's 
White House panel on people with intellectual disabilities.
  Through her unwavering support and avocation for our youth with 
intellectual disabilities to be no longer viewed as less than a full 
member of our society with nothing to provide, Eunice Kennedy Shriver 
created the first Special Olympics that were held on July 20, 1968 in 
Chicago, Illinois.
  At the first Special Olympics, thousands of participants with a 
variety of intellectual disabilities from 26 U.S. states and Canada 
competed in track and field, swimming and floor hockey.
  These young Americans came to prove they could compete despite their 
disability.
  It is one thing to overcome obstacles to compete in sports 
recreationally but it takes a genuine drive for excellence to succeed 
in an arena that was once thought impossible for those with 
intellectual disabilities.
  From that first Special Olympics competition in 1968, this 
organization began to gain the attention of the world as well as expand 
the sport competitions at the games.
  On February 5, 1977 the games marked the first International Special 
Olympics Winter Games, which was held in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
  The Special Olympics continued to enhance the original mission of the 
organization through the creation of programs aimed at providing 
healthcare services to Special Olympics athletes worldwide.
  This organization attracted bipartisan support in 2004, when 
President George W. Bush signed the ``Special Olympics Sport and 
Empowerment Act.''
  That piece of bipartisan legislation gave $15 million every year for 
five years to Special Olympics programs allowing them to continue their 
important work.
  In February of 2012 the National Basketball Association and Special 
Olympics, held the first annual NBA Cares Unified Sports Basketball 
game in Houston, Texas, which allowed Special Olympic athletes to 
compete alongside professional athletes.
  To think that a small summer day camp for intellectually challenged 
children and adults could evolve into a world-wide organization, is a 
testament to the lasting vision of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, its founder, 
and the commitment of volunteers, such as the 40,000 from Texas, to 
fulfill her dream.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize the Special Olympics along with 
the progress this important organization has made towards teaching the 
world those individuals with intellectual disabilities accept the same 
challenges as anyone else to compete and win.

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