[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 19821]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           SPECIAL OLYMPICS SPORT AND EMPOWERMENT ACT OF 2004

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise to speak on the Special Olympics and 
Empowerment Act of 2004. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this 
legislation which will create a multi-million dollar authorization, 
over 5 years, for the Special Olympics. This crucial funding will 
expand the scope of the Special Olympics by offering more children and 
adults with disabilities the opportunity to join in the life-changing 
events of the Special Olympics program.
  The oath of the Special Olympics is ``Let me win. But if I cannot 
win, let me be brave in the attempt.'' This mission of this program 
certainly rings true to the spirit of America and beyond. More than one 
million athletes and 500,000 volunteers participate in Special Olympics 
world-wide. Also, in my State of Montana, the Special Olympics 
signifies a real success: during the last year over 2,000 Special 
Olympics athletes participated and they could choose from as many as 
fourteen Olympic-style sports.
  It is important to me that Montanans with developmental and 
intellectual disabilities have access to recreational opportunities 
that will not only improve their health and well-being, but also 
promote mental and emotional strength. I encourage my colleagues to 
join me in supporting the Special Olympics.

                          ____________________