[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16271-16272]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE SESTAK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 2010

  Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, today, a ceremony will take place in the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to honor one of our Nation's truly 
remarkable women, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of Special Olympics 
and an American of unmatched energy, compassion, and vision.
  Through her work to create Special Olympics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver 
offered untold numbers of Americans with intellectual disabilities the 
opportunity to participate in sports and social activities that helped 
transform their lives and ours. As anyone who has ever coached, 
``buddied,'' or watched Special Olympians in competition can attest, 
all involved come away from that experience with a new found respect 
and admiration for the spirit of

[[Page 16272]]

those athletes, their families, and Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
  In the East Wing Rotunda of Pennsylvania's Capitol Building in 
Harrisburg, a portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver will be unveiled in a 
permanent place of honor to acknowledge her wonderful work and, to mark 
the 40th Anniversary of Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA). 
Fittingly, the portrait will include the likeness of a Special 
Olympian, Loretta Claiborne.
  In memory of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the fourth Saturday of every 
September will forever be known as Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day. On that 
day we should all dedicate ourselves to love, justice, faith, hope, and 
courage--as she did--to the benefit of more than four million Special 
Olympic athletes, Best Buddies and millions more of their family 
members.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that all Americans pause to reflect on the civic 
and spiritual greatness of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and acknowledge the 
outstanding work Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, under the leadership 
of Mr. Matthew Aaron. He, his staff, and thousands of wonderful 
volunteers carry on Pennsylvania's proud tradition of caring for some 
of our most special citizens in a manner that reflects the very best of 
Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

                          ____________________