[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 14]
[House]
[Pages 20058-20059]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RESOLUTION COMMENDING IDAHO ON WINNING THE BID TO HOST THE 2009 SPECIAL 
                      OLYMPICS WORLD WINTER GAMES

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 380) commending Idaho on winning the bid to 
host the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 380

       Whereas Special Olympics is an international nonprofit 
     organization that promotes personal development through 
     sports training and competition;
       Whereas Special Olympics advances the understanding of 
     intellectual disabilities through participation and 
     fellowship in the Nation and around the World;
       Whereas Special Olympics serves more than 2,500,000 
     individuals with intellectual disabilities around the globe;
       Whereas Special Olympics offers more than 205 programs in 
     over 165 countries;
       Whereas Special Olympics offers 30 Olympic-type summer and 
     winter sports to both children and adults with intellectual 
     disabilities;
       Whereas Boise, Idaho won the International bid to host the 
     2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games to be held during 
     February 6-13, 2009;
       Whereas thousands of athletes are expected to compete in 7 
     winter sports in the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter 
     Games; and
       Whereas the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games will 
     be the largest multi-sport event ever held in the State of 
     Idaho: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) applauds the goals and principles of Special Olympics;
       (2) salutes the athletes, coaches, family members, friends, 
     and volunteers that make Special Olympics World Winter Games 
     possible;
       (3) congratulates the State of Idaho as the host for the 
     2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games; and
       (4) supports the 2009 Special Olympic World Winter Games 
     and the goals of the Special Olympics to enrich the lives of 
     people with intellectual disabilities through sports.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Sherman) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution 
and yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  In 1968, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the world's great champion of people 
with intellectual disabilities, created the Special Olympics. For Mrs. 
Shriver, the founding of the Special Olympics was a capstone of her 
decades-long effort to improve the lives of people with intellectual 
disabilities. It is a testament to her dogged dedication that the 
Special Olympics thrives today.
  Eunice's idea was simple: give people with intellectual disabilities 
the same opportunities other young people have to develop their 
physical fitness, to create friendships, and to enjoy the thrill of 
competition.
  Today, the Special Olympics offers year-round training in 30 summer 
and winter sports for both children and adults with intellectual 
disabilities. The Special Olympics serves more than 2.25 million 
intellectually disabled people through 200 programs in 160 countries.
  I want to salute my colleague Mr. Sali from Idaho for introducing 
this legislation. Mr. Sali rightfully takes pride that his State has 
landed the honor of hosting the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter 
Games. Being named host of the 2009 winter games is a tremendous 
achievement for the great State of Idaho. There could be no better 
backdrop than the stark beauty of the State of Idaho and the Sawtooth 
Mountains.
  The Special Olympics has become an important global event. The 2009 
games will include thousands of competitors from over 100 countries 
competing in seven different winter sports. It will be the largest 
multisport event in the history of the State of Idaho. Idaho will be a 
terrific host for an event that empowers these brave young men and 
women and builds their self-esteem.
  I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I'd like to congratulate Idaho on its successful bid, as 
well, to host the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games and express 
strong support for H. Res. 380.
  The Special Olympics program has benefited countless people with 
disabilities nationwide and around the globe, raising awareness, 
fostering support for a great cause while enabling the participants to 
enhance their self-confidence and gain a sense of well-deserved 
personal accomplishment through sports and competition. It is, in every 
sense, a blessing to the participants.
  The millions of volunteers, coaches and athletes involved with the 
Special Olympics do a great service for their community and their 
country and, of course, to those with intellectual disabilities. I 
would also say, though, having been involved and been in attendance at 
Special Olympics programs, I haven't met a volunteer yet, Mr. Speaker, 
who didn't think that they were richer as a result of their 
participation in this extraordinary program, to see the courage of 
those who compete and the extraordinary sacrifice of the parents of 
those who bring them to such a wonderful opportunity.
  Through the dedication of these volunteers, the Special Olympics have 
continued to grow and impact the lives of more and more people around 
the world.
  The 2009 Winter Games in Idaho promise to be a great showcase for 
Special Olympics participants from around

[[Page 20059]]

the world to compete at a high level and demonstrate that disabilities 
are no match for individuals who are driven to succeed.
  Again, I congratulate Idaho for being selected as the host of an 
event of such magnitude. I extend my best wishes to their new Governor 
and my friend, and I am fully confident that it will be a resounding 
success.
  I urge my colleagues to render their full support for this 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1315

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I again express support for H. Res. 380 and 
congratulate the State of Idaho for winning the opportunity to host the 
2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 380.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.

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