[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 94 (Wednesday, June 5, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S3248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS ALASKA

 Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. President, this week we are celebrating the 
50th anniversary of Special Olympics Alaska, an organization that has 
done so much for so many Alaskans living with intellectual disabilities 
in my State and across the globe.
  The rise of the Special Olympics is one of the world's great stories. 
It demonstrates both on the political and personal fronts what can 
happen when a group of people get together to ensure that everyone has 
the ability to participate in sports and, furthermore, develop skills 
and friendships that will last them a lifetime.
  The story of Special Olympics dates back to the 1960s, when one 
woman, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, decided to make a difference. Mrs. 
Shriver had a sister, Rosemary, who had an intellectual disability and 
with whom she was very close. She knew that Rosemary's disability 
shouldn't hold her or anybody else back from competing in sports and 
fulfilling her dreams.
  In the summer of 1968 in Chicago, Eunice Shriver opened the first 
national games for Special Olympics. One thousand athletes from 26 
States and Canada competed in track & field and swimming. Jump forward 
to today. Because of Mrs. Shriver's vision and advocacy for people with 
intellectual disabilities, there are now nearly 5 million Special 
Olympics' athletes around the world, and as many as 80,000 competitions 
are held every year, including in the great State of Alaska.
  In 2001, Alaska hosted the Special Olympics World Winter Games. Mrs. 
Shriver said it was the best World Winter Games in Special Olympics 
history. That success was only possible because of the hard working 
staff, board, volunteers, and athletes from the Special Olympics Alaska 
organization and the complete support of a caring, engaged community.
  Special Olympics Alaska will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this 
weekend in conjunction with the Special Olympics Alaska Summer Games. 
Hundreds of athletes and unified partners from across the State will 
gather in Anchorage for 3 days of competition. They have been dedicated 
to their training in aquatics, basketball, gymnastics, powerlifting, 
and track & field, and this weekend will strive for their personal best 
and, no doubt, have a lot of fun. There is no better place to see the 
joy of competition and pure sportsmanship than at a Special Olympics 
event.
  My family is proud to be part of a community that supports our 
Special Olympics athletes and, to brag a little, part of a State with a 
world-class training center and program that is the envy of many other 
States and nations. Special Olympics Alaska's success would not be 
possible without the dedicated support of so many Alaska families and 
the passion our athletes have for sports and this organization. Our 
athletes inspire all of us. They show us the true meaning of grit, 
determination, and perseverance. Our athletes know, more than any of 
us, what Vince Lombardi meant when he said, ``It's not whether you get 
knocked down; it's whether you get up.''
  Congratulations again to all the athletes, staff, board, and 
volunteers of Special Olympics Alaska for an incredible 50 years of 
serving the community.

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