[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 15470-15471]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO SPECIAL OLYMPICS ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 17, 2008

  Mr. SIMPSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Special 
Olympics on the occasion of its 40th Anniversary. Special Olympics is 
an international nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering 
individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, 
productive and respected members of society through sports training and 
competition.
  Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic 
competition for athletes. In addition, every two years, athletes from 
all over the world come together to compete in the Special Olympics 
World Games. The United States and the State of Idaho are proud and 
honored to host the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. This 
event will attract more than 3,000 athletes from over 100 nations to 
compete in seven Winter Olympic-type sporting events. This will be the 
largest multi-sport event ever held in the State of Idaho.
  On July 23, 2007, my colleagues in the House of Representatives and I 
unanimously passed a resolution commending Idaho on winning the bid to 
host the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Among other things, 
this resolution expresses Congress's support for the 2009 Games, 
congratulates Idaho as the host of the Games, and applauds the goals of 
the Special Olympics to enrich the lives of people with intellectual 
disabilities through sports.
  Madam Speaker, I have been privileged to work closely with Special 
Olympics and its staff both in Idaho and Washington, DC. I would like 
to commend the organization for the great work that it is doing on 
behalf of the thousands of Special Olympians throughout the world. I 
would also like to thank the thousands of volunteers and coaches who 
donate their time and energy to support this great program. I am 
pleased to recognize Special Olympics International for 40 years of 
service and commitment to the many Special Olympians both in America 
and across the globe.

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