[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 19]
[Senate]
[Pages 26143-26144]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            SPECIAL OLYMPICS

  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, over the next 10 days, a remarkable event 
will unfold in Shanghai, China. Every 2 years, thousands of Special 
Olympics athletes from around the world come together to showcase their 
athletic skills and celebrate the spirit of Special Olympics. Starting 
today, more than 7,500 Special Olympians will begin competing in 
Shanghai in the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
  Over the coming 10 days, tens of thousands of athletes, coaches, 
volunteers, family members, government and industry officials, plus 
experts in health and education from 165 countries have come together 
to celebrate the talents of those among us who have intellectual 
disabilities. This spectacular event is not about athletic skill as 
much as it is about determination, courage, and the desire to compete.
  I can speak firsthand about what a rewarding experience it is for all 
of us who have been involved in Special Olympics. Last year, my State 
of Iowa hosted the first USA National Summer Games. Thousands of 
athletes, volunteers, coaches, and families attended our games, in 
addition to 30,000 fans and spectators. Ames, IA, was transformed into 
an Olympic Village, and it was thrilling to experience.
  I am pleased that three extraordinary athletes from Iowa are now in 
China competing: Corey Leonhard in track, and Jenna Schrack and Jody 
Sheriff competing in bowling. Team USA includes 401 athletes, and 102 
of them are at the World Games today.
  Special Olympics is not just about sports. It is about spirit, and it 
is about drawing out the best in all of us. The Special Olympics 
organization is responsible for much more than the games. Its Special 
Olympics Healthy Athletes Program, developed over a decade ago, focuses 
on the health, fitness, and well-being of people with and without 
disabilities. Last year alone, it made possible more than 135,000 
health care screenings. Volunteer health care professionals and 
students were trained to provide the screening and compile the data. In 
China, medical volunteers will provide health examinations free of 
charge, including dental, vision, and hearing exams.
  The Special Olympics is both a world-class sporting event and a 
world-class humanitarian experience. Many countries have sent 
delegations to the games. In addition to our athletes and

[[Page 26144]]

volunteers attending the Opening Ceremonies, the U.S. delegation will 
include Department of Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, figure 
skating champion Michelle Kwan, former Assistant Secretary of Education 
John Hager, Ernie Banks of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Lynn 
Fuchs, Professor of Special Education and Human Development at 
Vanderbilt University, Anne Sweeney of Disney Media Networks and 
Disney-ABC Television Group, Jennifer Polk Wardlow, a Special Olympics 
North Carolina athlete, Dr. Tim Shriver, chairman of the board of 
Special Olympics, and the incomparable Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder 
of Special Olympics.
  Mr. President, I regret that, with the Senate in session, I couldn't 
attend today's opening ceremonies. But my thoughts are with each and 
every one of Special Olympics athletes. I wish them all the very best.

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