[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 6]
[House]
[Pages 8572-8578]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER ACT

  Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 5220) to reauthorize the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment 
Act of 2004, to provide assistance to Best Buddies to support the 
expansion and development of mentoring programs, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5220

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Eunice 
     Kennedy Shriver Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

            TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS ACT

Sec. 101. Reauthorization.

                         TITLE II--BEST BUDDIES

Sec. 201. Findings and purpose.
Sec. 202. Assistance for Best Buddies.
Sec. 203. Application and annual report.
Sec. 204. Authorization of appropriations.

TITLE III--ESTABLISHMENT OF EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER INSTITUTES FOR SPORT 
                           AND SOCIAL IMPACT

Sec. 301. Findings and purpose.
Sec. 302. Establishment of Institutes.
Sec. 303. Activities of Institutes.
Sec. 304. Authorization of appropriations.

            TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS ACT

     SEC. 101. REAUTHORIZATION.

       Sections 2 through 5 of the Special Olympics Sport and 
     Empowerment Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15001 note) are amended to 
     read as follows:

     ``SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       ``(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       ``(1) Special Olympics celebrates the possibilities of a 
     world where everybody matters, everybody counts, and every 
     person contributes.
       ``(2) The Government and the people of the United States 
     recognize the dignity and value the giftedness of children 
     and adults with intellectual disabilities.
       ``(3) The Government and the people of the United States 
     recognize that children and adults with intellectual 
     disabilities experience significant health disparities, 
     including lack of access to primary care services and 
     difficulties in accessing community-based prevention and 
     treatment programs for chronic diseases.
       ``(4) The Government and the people of the United States 
     are determined to end the isolation and stigmatization of 
     people with intellectual disabilities, and to ensure that 
     such people are assured of equal opportunities for community 
     participation, access to appropriate health care, and 
     inclusive education, and to experience life in a 
     nondiscriminatory manner.
       ``(5) For more than 40 years, Special Olympics has 
     encouraged skill development, sharing, courage, and 
     confidence through year-round sports training and athletic 
     competition for children and adults with intellectual 
     disabilities.
       ``(6) Special Olympics provides year-round sports training 
     and competitive opportunities to more than 3,000,000 athletes 
     with intellectual disabilities in 26 sports and plans to 
     expand the benefits of participation through sport to 
     hundreds of thousands of people with intellectual 
     disabilities within the United States and worldwide over the 
     next 5 years.
       ``(7) Research shows that participation in activities 
     involving both people with intellectual disabilities and 
     nondisabled people results in more positive support for 
     inclusion in society, including in schools.
       ``(8) Special Olympics has demonstrated its ability to 
     provide a major positive effect on the quality of life of 
     people with intellectual disabilities, improving their health 
     and physical well-being, building their confidence and self-
     esteem, and giving them a voice to become active and 
     productive members of their communities.
       ``(9) In society as a whole, Special Olympics has become a 
     vehicle and platform for reducing prejudice, improving public 
     health, promoting inclusion efforts in schools and 
     communities, and encouraging society to value the 
     contributions of all members.
       ``(10) The Government of the United States enthusiastically 
     supports the Special Olympics movement, recognizes its 
     importance in improving the lives of people with intellectual 
     disabilities, and recognizes Special Olympics as a valued and 
     important component of the global community.
       ``(b) Purpose.--The purposes of this Act are to--
       ``(1) provide support to Special Olympics to increase 
     athlete participation in, and public awareness about, the 
     Special Olympics movement, including efforts to promote 
     broader community inclusion;
       ``(2) dispel negative stereotypes about people with 
     intellectual disabilities;
       ``(3) build community engagement through involvement in 
     sports; and
       ``(4) promote the extraordinary gifts and contributions of 
     people with intellectual disabilities.

[[Page 8573]]



     ``SEC. 3. ASSISTANCE FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS.

       ``(a) Education Activities.--The Secretary of Education may 
     award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative 
     agreements with, Special Olympics to carry out each of the 
     following:
       ``(1) Activities to promote the expansion of Special 
     Olympics, including activities to increase the full 
     participation of people with intellectual disabilities in 
     athletics, sports and recreation, and other inclusive school 
     and community activities with non-disabled people.
       ``(2) The design and implementation of Special Olympics 
     education programs, including character education and 
     volunteer programs that support the purposes of this Act, 
     that can be integrated into classroom instruction and are 
     consistent with academic content standards.
       ``(b) International Activities.--The Secretary of State, 
     acting through the Assistant Secretary of State for 
     Educational and Cultural Affairs, may award grants to, or 
     enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, Special 
     Olympics to carry out each of the following:
       ``(1) Activities to increase the participation of people 
     with intellectual disabilities in Special Olympics outside of 
     the United States.
       ``(2) Activities to improve the awareness outside of the 
     United States of the abilities and unique contributions that 
     people with intellectual disabilities can make to society.
       ``(c) Healthy Athletes.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services may award grants to, or enter into contracts or 
     cooperative agreements with, Special Olympics for the 
     implementation of on-site health assessments, screening for 
     health problems, health education, community-based 
     prevention, data collection, and referrals to direct health 
     care services.
       ``(2) Coordination.--Activities under paragraph (1) shall 
     be coordinated with appropriate health care entities, 
     including private health care providers, entities carrying 
     out local, State, Federal, or international programs, and the 
     Department of Health and Human Services, as applicable.
       ``(d) Limitation.--Amounts appropriated to carry out this 
     section shall not be used for direct treatment of diseases, 
     medical conditions, or mental health conditions. Nothing in 
     the preceding sentence shall be construed to limit the use of 
     non-Federal funds by Special Olympics.

     ``SEC. 4. APPLICATION AND ANNUAL REPORT.

       ``(a) Application.--
       ``(1) In general.--To be considered for a grant, contract, 
     or cooperative agreement under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of 
     section 3, Special Olympics shall submit an application at 
     such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
     the Secretary of Education, Secretary of State, or Secretary 
     of Health and Human Services, as applicable, may require.
       ``(2) Content.--At a minimum, an application under this 
     subsection shall contain each of the following:
       ``(A) Activities.--A description of specific activities to 
     be carried out with the grant, contract, or cooperative 
     agreement.
       ``(B) Measurable goals.--A description of specific 
     measurable annual benchmarks, long-term goals and objectives, 
     and outcomes to be achieved through specified activities 
     carried out with the grant, contract, or cooperative 
     agreement, which shall include, at a minimum, the following:
       ``(i) Activities to increase the full participation of 
     people with intellectual disabilities in athletics, sports 
     and recreation, and other inclusive school and community 
     activities with nondisabled people.
       ``(ii) Education programs that dispel negative stereotypes 
     about people with intellectual disabilities, in the case of 
     applications for a grant under section 3(a).
       ``(iii) Activities to increase the participation of people 
     with intellectual disabilities in Special Olympics outside of 
     the United States, in the case of applications for a grant 
     under section 3(b).
       ``(iv) Health-related activities, including on-site health 
     assessments, screening for health problems, health education, 
     community-based prevention, data collection, and referrals to 
     direct health care services, in the case of applications for 
     a grant under section 3(c).
       ``(b) Annual Report.--
       ``(1) In general.--As a condition of the receipt of any 
     funds for a program under subsection (a), (b), or (c) of 
     section 3, Special Olympics shall agree to submit an annual 
     report at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
     information as the Secretary of Education, Secretary of 
     State, or Secretary of Health and Human Services, as 
     applicable, may require.
       ``(2) Content.--At a minimum, each annual report under this 
     subsection shall describe--
       ``(A) the degree to which progress has been made toward 
     meeting the annual benchmarks, long-term goals and 
     objectives, and outcomes described in the applications 
     submitted under subsection (a); and
       ``(B) demographic data about Special Olympics participants, 
     including the number of people with intellectual disabilities 
     served in each program referred to in paragraph (1).

     ``SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``There are authorized to be appropriated--
       ``(1) for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements 
     under section 3(a), $9,500,000 for fiscal year 2011, and such 
     sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal 
     years;
       ``(2) for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements 
     under section 3(b), $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2011, and such 
     sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal 
     years; and
       ``(3) for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements 
     under section 3(c), $8,500,000 for fiscal year 2011, and such 
     sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal 
     years.''.

                         TITLE II--BEST BUDDIES

     SEC. 201. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
       (1) Best Buddies operates the first national social and 
     recreational program in the United States for people with 
     intellectual disabilities.
       (2) Best Buddies is dedicated to helping people with 
     intellectual disabilities become part of mainstream society.
       (3) Best Buddies is determined to end social isolation for 
     people with intellectual disabilities by promoting meaningful 
     friendships between them and their non-disabled peers in 
     order to help increase the self-esteem, confidence, and 
     abilities of people with and without intellectual 
     disabilities.
       (4) Since 1989, Best Buddies has enhanced the lives of 
     people with intellectual disabilities by providing 
     opportunities for 1-to-1 friendships and integrated 
     employment.
       (5) Best Buddies is an international organization spanning 
     1,300 middle school, high school, and college campuses.
       (6) Best Buddies implements programs that will positively 
     impact more than 700,000 individuals in 2010.
       (7) The Best Buddies Middle Schools program matches middle 
     school students with intellectual disabilities with other 
     middle school students and supports 1-to-1 friendships 
     between them.
       (8) The Best Buddies High Schools program matches high 
     school students with intellectual disabilities with other 
     high school students and supports 1-to-1 friendships between 
     them.
       (9) The Best Buddies Colleges program matches adults with 
     intellectual disabilities with college students and creates 
     1-to-1 friendships between them.
       (10) The Best Buddies e-Buddies program supports e-mail 
     friendships between people with and without intellectual 
     disabilities.
       (11) The Best Buddies Citizens program pairs adults with 
     intellectual disabilities in 1-to-1 friendships with other 
     people in the corporate and civic communities.
       (12) The Best Buddies Jobs program promotes the integration 
     of people with intellectual disabilities into the community 
     through supported employment.
       (b) Purpose.--The purposes of this title are to--
       (1) provide support to Best Buddies to increase 
     participation in and public awareness about Best Buddies 
     programs that serve people with intellectual disabilities;
       (2) dispel negative stereotypes about people with 
     intellectual disabilities; and
       (3) promote the extraordinary contributions of people with 
     intellectual disabilities.

     SEC. 202. ASSISTANCE FOR BEST BUDDIES.

       (a) Education Activities.--The Secretary of Education may 
     award grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative 
     agreements with, Best Buddies to carry out activities to 
     promote the expansion of Best Buddies, including activities 
     to increase the participation of people with intellectual 
     disabilities in social relationships and other aspects of 
     community life, including education and employment, within 
     the United States.
       (b) Limitations.--
       (1) In general.--Amounts appropriated to carry out this 
     title may not be used for direct treatment of diseases, 
     medical conditions, or mental health conditions.
       (2) Administrative activities.--Not more than 5 percent of 
     amounts appropriated to carry out this title for a fiscal 
     year may be used for administrative activities.
       (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this title shall be 
     construed to limit the use of non-Federal funds by Best 
     Buddies.

     SEC. 203. APPLICATION AND ANNUAL REPORT.

       (a) Application.--
       (1) In general.--To be considered for a grant, contract, or 
     cooperative agreement under section 202(a), Best Buddies 
     shall submit an application at such time, in such manner, and 
     containing such information as the Secretary of Education may 
     require.
       (2) Content.--At a minimum, an application under this 
     subsection shall contain the following:
       (A) A description of activities to be carried out under the 
     grant, contract, or cooperative agreement.
       (B) Information on specific measurable goals, objectives, 
     and outcomes to be achieved through activities carried out 
     under the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement.
       (b) Annual Report.--
       (1) In general.--As a condition of receipt of any funds 
     under section 202(a), Best Buddies shall agree to submit an 
     annual report

[[Page 8574]]

     at such time, in such manner, and containing such information 
     as the Secretary of Education may require.
       (2) Content.--At a minimum, each annual report under this 
     subsection shall describe the degree to which progress has 
     been made toward meeting the specific measurable goals, 
     objectives, and outcomes described in the applications 
     submitted under subsection (a).

     SEC. 204. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Education for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements 
     under section 202(a), $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2011 and 
     such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding 
     fiscal years.

TITLE III--ESTABLISHMENT OF EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER INSTITUTES FOR SPORT 
                           AND SOCIAL IMPACT

     SEC. 301. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Findings.--The Congress finds as follows:
       (1) For more than 50 years, Eunice Kennedy Shriver 
     dedicated her life, energies, and resources without bounds to 
     improving the lives of people with intellectual and 
     developmental disabilities around the world. She stands as 
     the iconic founder and leader of one of the most important 
     disability rights movements in history.
       (2) Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded and influenced the 
     development of Special Olympics and Best Buddies, both of 
     which celebrate the possibilities of a world where everybody 
     matters, everybody counts, every person has value, and every 
     person has worth.
       (b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this title to improve 
     and advance opportunities for people with intellectual 
     disabilities to fully participate and engage in inclusive 
     sports and recreation, social activities, and other community 
     opportunities, through--
       (1) conducting research, data collection, and evaluation 
     activities;
       (2) providing technical assistance and training;
       (3) fostering and promoting interdisciplinary 
     collaboration, cooperation, and partnerships; and
       (4) commemorating the work and contributions of Eunice 
     Kennedy Shriver and encouraging others to emulate her 
     leadership, including her efforts to encourage and promote 
     greater social and community opportunities for people with 
     intellectual disabilities and their families.

     SEC. 302. ESTABLISHMENT OF INSTITUTES.

       (a) In General.--From the amount made available under 
     section 304 that is not reserved under subsection (g), the 
     Secretary of Education shall award competitive grants to one 
     or more eligible entities for the purpose of establishing 
     Eunice Kennedy Shriver Institutes for Sport and Social Impact 
     (referred to in this title as ``Institutes'').
       (b) Eligible Entity.--In this title, the term ``eligible 
     entity'' means an institution of higher education (as defined 
     in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 1001(a))) with demonstrated expertise and experience 
     in research, technical assistance, and training related to 
     improving and advancing opportunities for people with 
     intellectual disabilities to fully participate and engage in 
     inclusive community opportunities, in partnership with a 
     nonprofit organization with demonstrated expertise and 
     experience in inclusive sports, recreation, social, 
     educational, and community opportunities for people with 
     intellectual disabilities.
       (c) Grant Period.--Each grant awarded under this title 
     shall be for a 3-year period.
       (d) Grant Recipient Contribution.--An eligible entity 
     receiving a grant under this title shall provide a 
     contribution (which may include an in-kind contribution), in 
     an amount not less than 25 percent of the costs of the 
     activities assisted under the grant, to carry out such 
     activities.
       (e) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Funds made available under 
     this title shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, 
     other Federal, State, and local funds expended to carry out 
     the purpose of this title.
       (f) Application.--An eligible entity shall submit an 
     application to the Secretary of Education at such time, in 
     such manner, and containing such information and assurances 
     as the Secretary may require. Such application shall, at a 
     minimum, include--
       (1) a description of activities to be carried out 
     consistent with section 303; and
       (2) annual measurable benchmarks and long-term goals and 
     objectives to be achieved through such activities.
       (g) Reservation of Funds for National Activities.--From the 
     amount appropriated under section 304, the Secretary of 
     Education shall reserve not more than 10 percent to enter 
     into a cooperative agreement, on a competitive basis, with an 
     eligible entity for the purpose of implementing national 
     coordination activities, including development of mechanisms 
     for communication among grantees, dissemination of 
     information resulting from activities under the grants, 
     dissemination of evidence-based practices, and technical 
     assistance to grantees.

     SEC. 303. ACTIVITIES OF INSTITUTES.

       (a) In General.--Each grantee under this title shall use 
     the grant to advance the quality of life and inclusion of 
     people with intellectual disabilities through research and 
     evaluation, technical assistance, training, data collection, 
     evaluation, collaboration, and dissemination of evidence-
     based best practices.
       (b) Required Activities.--
       (1) In general.--Each grantee under this title shall use 
     grant funds to--
       (A) establish a research agenda and annual measurable 
     benchmarks and long-term goals, and conduct research and 
     evaluation of evidence-based best practices, with the goal of 
     improving the quality of life and furthering the social 
     inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities, in 
     cooperation and consultation with--
       (i) people with intellectual disabilities;
       (ii) family members of people with intellectual 
     disabilities;
       (iii) University Centers for Excellence in Developmental 
     Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (as designated 
     in section 151 of the Developmental Disabilities Act (42 
     U.S.C. 15061));
       (iv) other relevant Federal, State, and local entities 
     conducting research related to people with intellectual 
     disabilities;
       (v) other Federal, State, and local entities serving people 
     with intellectual disabilities; and
       (vi) other relevant nonprofit organizations.
       (B) provide training and technical assistance to people 
     with intellectual disabilities, families of people with 
     intellectual disabilities, nonprofit organizations, public 
     entities, educational programs, recreation programs, and 
     others to increase opportunities for inclusive participation 
     by such people in sports and recreation, social 
     opportunities, education, and the community, including 
     provision of assistance to programs and entities serving 
     primarily non-disabled people in order to successfully 
     include people with intellectual disabilities in activities 
     with non-disabled people;
       (C) collect and analyze data related to barriers to, and 
     factors ensuring, access to full inclusion and participation 
     in community and quality of life for people with intellectual 
     disabilities, including demographic data; and
       (D) report on the research, findings, conclusions, and 
     recommendations resulting from the activities of the grant.
       (2) Research and evaluation.--Research, evaluation, and 
     data collection described in subparagraph (A) and (C) of 
     paragraph (1) shall include--
       (A) best practices in preventive health and wellness for 
     people with intellectual disabilities, including sports and 
     recreational activities;
       (B) identification of barriers to, and factors ensuring, 
     access to full inclusion and participation in community and 
     quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities;
       (C) best practices in supporting independence, community 
     living, and inclusive social engagement for people with 
     intellectual disabilities;
       (D) physical and mental health disparities for people with 
     intellectual disabilities; and
       (E) other relevant activities related to the purpose of 
     this title, as described by the eligible entity in the 
     application submitted under section 302(f).
       (c) Report.--Each recipient of a grant under this title 
     shall prepare and submit to the Secretary of Education an 
     annual report that includes information on progress made in 
     achieving the projected goals and outcomes of the activities 
     of the Institute for the previous year, including demographic 
     information on the populations served and measurable 
     accomplishments in advancing the quality of life and 
     inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in the 
     community.

     SEC. 304. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     title such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2011 
     through 2015.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Ohio (Ms. Fudge) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Ohio.


                             General Leave

  Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days within which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous materials on H.R. 
5220 in the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. FUDGE. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5220, the Eunice Kennedy 
Shriver Act of 2010, which will provide important resources and 
services to the people with intellectual disabilities. This bill will 
reauthorize the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004, 
provide assistance to Best Buddies to support the expansion and 
development of mentoring programs, and establish the Eunice Kennedy 
Shriver Institutes for Sports and Social Impact.
  Special Olympics and the Best Buddies program would not be where they

[[Page 8575]]

are today or mean so much to so many people without Eunice Kennedy 
Shriver. She dedicated her life to the goal of a fully inclusive and 
supportive society for people with intellectual disabilities.
  Mrs. Shriver founded Special Olympics and was a longtime supporter 
and board member of Best Buddies. She knew that all too often people 
with intellectual disabilities are subject to social isolation because 
of their different abilities. She fought hard to ensure that children 
and adults with intellectual disabilities were not subject to 
stigmatization and prejudice.
  This bill makes sure that children and adults can fully participate 
and engage in education, social activities, and community 
opportunities. With this bill, we will move closer toward the goal of 
increased participation and inclusivity in society for people with 
intellectual disabilities.
  For more than 40 years, Special Olympics has provided sports training 
and competitive opportunities to more than 3 million athletes with 
intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics has enhanced the quality of 
life of people with intellectual disabilities, improving their health 
and physical well-being, building their confidence and self-esteem, and 
giving them a voice to become active and productive members of their 
communities.
  Since 1989, Best Buddies has worked with 1,300 middle school, high 
school, and college campuses to create inclusive communities for people 
with intellectual disabilities through a medium of friendship. Over 
700,000 people have benefited from the Best Buddies one-to-one peer 
matches, citizen programs for adults, and job programs that promote 
integration in the workplace.
  Finally, this bill establishes the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Institutes 
for Sports and Social Impact. The Institutes support research on 
effective means for inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities, 
provide technical assistance to promote inclusion, foster collaboration 
among people and organizations working toward effective inclusion, and 
commemorate Mrs. Shriver's dedication to this cause.
  As many of you recall, Mrs. Shriver passed away last August, just 
before her brother the late Senator Ted Kennedy, also a champion of 
people with disabilities. This bill is fittingly named the Eunice 
Kennedy Shriver Act of 2010 and honors her vision of a world where 
people with intellectual disabilities are successfully integrated into 
our schools, our workplaces, and our general communities. I share that 
vision and support the activities authorized by this bill.
  Once again, I express my support for H.R. 5220 and thank 
Representative Hoyer for introducing this important legislation. I also 
want to thank Chairman Berman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and 
Chairman Waxman of the Energy and Commerce Committee for working with 
the Education and Labor Committee on allowing this bill to move 
expeditiously to the floor.
  I submit an exchange of letters dated May 7, May 10, and May 14, 
2010, between these chairmen and Chairman Miller to be included in the 
Record.

                                     Committee on Foreign Affairs,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                      Washington, DC, May 7, 2010.
     Hon. George Miller,
     Chairman, Committee on Education and Labor, Rayburn House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 
     5220, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act, introduced by 
     Representative Hoyer on May 5, 2010.
       This bill contains provisions within the Rule X 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. In the 
     interest of permitting your Committee to proceed 
     expeditiously to floor consideration of this important bill, 
     I am willing to waive this Committee's right to mark up this 
     bill. I do so with the understanding that by waiving 
     consideration of the bill, the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
     does not waive any future jurisdictional claim over the 
     subject matters contained in the bill which fall within its 
     Rule X jurisdiction.
       Further, I request your support for the appointment of 
     Foreign Affairs Committee conferees during any House-Senate 
     conference convened on this legislation.
       Please include a copy of this letter and your response in 
     the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure 
     on the House floor.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Howard L. Berman,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         Committee on Education and Labor, House of 
           Representatives,
                                     Washington, DC, May 10, 2010.
     Hon. Howard L. Berman,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rayburn House Office 
         Building, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Berman: Thank you for your May 7, 2010, 
     letter regarding H.R. 5220, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act. 
     Your support for this legislation and your assistance in 
     ensuring its timely consideration are greatly appreciated.
       I agree that provisions in the bill are within the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. I 
     acknowledge that by waiving rights to further consideration 
     at this time of H.R. 5220, your Committee is not 
     relinquishing its jurisdiction and I will fully support your 
     request to be represented in a House-Senate conference on 
     those provisions over which the Committee on the Foreign 
     Affairs has jurisdiction in H.R. 5220, or similar 
     legislation. A copy of our letters will be placed in the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the 
     House floor.
       I value your cooperation and look forward to working with 
     you as we move ahead with this important legislation.
           Sincerely,
                                                    George Miller,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committe on Energy and 
           Commerce,
                                     Washington, DC, May 14, 2010.
     Hon. George Miller,
     Chairman, Committee on Education and Labor, Rayburn House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Miller: I am writing to confirm our 
     understanding regarding H.R. 5220, the ``Eunice Kennedy 
     Shriver Act.'' As you know, this bill was referred to the 
     Committee on Energy and Commerce, which has jurisdictional 
     interest in provisions of the bill.
       In light of the interest in moving this bill forward 
     promptly, I do not intend to exercise the jurisdiction of the 
     Committee on Energy and Commerce through further Committee 
     consideration of H.R. 5220. 1 do this, however, only with the 
     understanding that forgoing further consideration of H.R. 
     5220 at this time will not be construed as prejudicing this 
     Committee's jurisdictional interests and prerogatives on the 
     subject matter contained in this or similar legislation. In 
     addition, we reserve the right to seek appointment of an 
     appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate 
     conference involving this legislation.
       I would appreciate your including this letter in the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the 
     House floor. Thank you for your cooperation on this matter,
           Sincerely,
                                                  Henry A. Waxman,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         Committee on Education and Labor, House of 
           Representatives,
                                     Washington, DC, May 14, 2010.
     Hon. Henry Waxman,
     Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Waxman: Thank you for your May 14, 2010, 
     letter regarding H.R. 5220, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act. 
     Your support for this legislation and your assistance in 
     ensuring its timely consideration are greatly appreciated.
       I agree that provisions in the bill are within the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. I 
     acknowledge that by waiving rights to further consideration 
     at this time of H.R. 5220, your Committee is not 
     relinquishing its jurisdiction and I will fully support your 
     request to be represented in a House-Senate conference on 
     those provisions over which the Committee on Energy and 
     Commerce has jurisdiction in H.R. 5220, or similar 
     legislation. A copy of our letters will be placed in the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the 
     House floor.
       I value your cooperation and look forward to working with 
     you as we move ahead with this important legislation.
       Sincerely,
                                                    George Miller,
                                                         Chairman.

  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of the bill before us, H.R. 5220, the Eunice 
Kennedy Shriver Act.
  Eunice Kennedy Shriver was the founder and honorary chairperson of 
Special Olympics and a leader in the worldwide effort to improve the 
lives and understanding of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

[[Page 8576]]

  For more than three decades, through her work with the Joseph K. 
Kennedy, Jr. Foundation and Special Olympics, she worked tirelessly to 
seek the prevention of intellectual disabilities by identifying its 
causes and improving the means by which society deals with citizens who 
have intellectual disabilities.
  Mrs. Shriver passed away on August 11, 2009, but her work to ensure 
that individuals with intellectual disabilities are able to lead 
independent lives in their communities will live on. An estimated 7 
million individuals, 2 percent of the population of the United States, 
have intellectual disabilities which impair daily living skills needed 
to live and work in the local community as productive citizens. The 
three major known causes of intellectual disabilities are Down 
syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, and Fragile X.
  The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act will assist individuals with 
intellectual disabilities by continuing the Federal Government's 
support of programs that provide early intervention, effective 
education, research, and appropriate supports for individuals with 
intellectual disabilities so that they can reach adulthood and become 
contributing members of our society.
  First, the bill reauthorizes the Special Olympics Sport and 
Empowerment Act of 2004. Special Olympics was established in 1968 and 
provides year-round sports training and competitive opportunities in 26 
sports to more than 3 million athletes with intellectual disabilities. 
But it does so much more. It dispels negative stereotypes about people 
with intellectual disabilities, builds community engagement, increases 
the participation of people with intellectual disabilities in community 
life, and provides education and health screenings for individuals with 
intellectual disabilities.
  Second, the bill authorizes support for Best Buddies, a nonprofit 
organization that provides mentors and friends to individuals with 
intellectual disabilities to increase their social relationships. Best 
Buddies was founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver as the first 
national, social, and recreational program for people with intellectual 
disabilities. Since that time, it has grown from one chapter to more 
than 1,400 middle school, high school, and college campuses all around 
the country.
  Finally, the bill establishes Eunice Kennedy Shriver Institutes for 
Sport and Social Impact. Through this effort, institutions will conduct 
research, collect data, and evaluate evidence-based best practices, 
with the goal of improving the quality of life and, further, the social 
inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, I want to recognize the life and 
accomplishments of Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Her dedication to improving 
the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities is awe 
inspiring, and I hope that this bill will serve as a fitting legacy to 
her efforts.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the gentleman from 
Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy) for such time as he may consume.
  Mr. KENNEDY. I thank the gentlelady from Ohio, and I thank the 
gentleman, Mr. Petri, for his wonderful words about my Aunt Eunice. I 
want to acknowledge my good friend and colleague, Representative Blunt 
from the minority side, for his support for this bill. And I want to 
especially thank our majority leader, Representative Hoyer, for his 
leadership on this issue. It has been steadfast and long appreciated by 
my family and all of those in the Special Olympics family.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5220, the Eunice Kennedy 
Shriver Act. This bipartisan bill seeks to reauthorize the Special 
Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004 and to advance the 
development of Best Buddies mentoring and employment programs across 
this country.
  My aunt, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founded the Special Olympics in 
1968. She did so in order to help foster a society that would celebrate 
and enhance the lives of those with intellectual disabilities.
  She had seen those afflicted with intellectual disabilities, 
including her own sister Rosemary, my Aunt Rosemary, and saw that they 
were being shut out from fundamental opportunities that life had to 
offer. She had seen that this entire segment of our population was 
being denied the basic right to live a fulfilling life because of the 
stigma, because of the misunderstandings that pervaded our society 
about people with cognitive disorders. In witnessing these injustices, 
my aunt sought nothing less than to change our society's perceptions 
and approach to intellectual disabilities.
  Over the 40 years since the inception of Special Olympics, it has 
done just that. By encouraging involvement in sports, in education, in 
health programs, Special Olympics has given rise to an entire 
generation of volunteers, parents, individuals, all encouraging those 
with intellectual disabilities to embrace their lives and their 
abilities. And for those who have been involved in Special Olympics, 
you know that it is not the disabilities. It is the abilities. And it 
is not just the Special Olympians who benefit from Special Olympics. It 
is the volunteers. It is anybody who has witnessed a Special Olympics 
event.
  This message of understanding and compassion has led Special Olympics 
to develop an international organization, and today that organization 
represents 3 million athletes in 44,000 events all over the country, 
and 170 countries now have teams for the international games.
  I want to commend my cousin, Tim Shriver, who carries on his mother's 
legacy of being CEO of Special Olympics, and my cousin, Anthony 
Shriver, who runs Best Buddies.

                              {time}  1130

  I want to say that if I had the chance to look back on my family's 
legacy, and if all of my family who held public office today were all 
here on the floor thinking about all of the public service in public 
office; if my cousin Kathleen were here, who's Lieutenant Governor; my 
cousin Mark, who's in the General Assembly; my cousin Joe, who was here 
in Congress; if my father, who served in the United States Senate for 
nearly five decades, who's often said to be one of the greatest 
Senators to ever serve in this Congress; if my Uncle Bobby, who was not 
only a Senator but Attorney General, was here; if my uncle, President 
Kennedy was here, all of them would say if there was a greater legacy 
in my family, it was probably none other than someone who never served 
in public office in my family, and that was the legacy of my aunt, 
Eunice Shriver, when she started the Special Olympics. It's going to be 
the most enduring legacy that my family ever had a part of, and it's 
something that all of us are very proud to be part of in the Special 
Olympics family. Everybody can be part of the Special Olympics. I 
encourage everybody to go to a Special Olympics event and, in doing so, 
be part of the Special Olympics spirit. It's something to behold.
  Let's pass the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my 
colleague from the State of Michigan, Vern Ehlers, a member of the 
committee.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. That 
stirring speech by Mr. Kennedy, which we have just heard, reminds us of 
why this bill is so important. Let me also read a few passages which 
really struck me, in which Congress finds the following: Special 
Olympics celebrates the possibilities of a world where everybody 
matters, everybody counts, and every person contributes. The Government 
and the People of the United States are determined to end the isolation 
and stigmatization of people with intellectual disabilities and to 
ensure that such people are assured of equal opportunities for 
community participation, access to appropriate health care, and 
exclusive education, and to experience life in a nondiscriminatory 
manner.
  I will stop at that point and simply say I'm very pleased to be one 
of the early cosponsors of this bill. I have attended Special Olympics 
events, and I can tell you they are more stirring and

[[Page 8577]]

more of a blessing to the soul of the spectators than any other 
sporting event they can possibly go to. The children--and it is 
primarily for children but adults often participate, too--but they 
struggle so hard. And they succeed. They succeed admirably in achieving 
their goals. It just stirs your heart to be involved and help Special 
Olympics, to watch the Special Olympics, and to share the joy of the 
participants when they successfully complete the particular activity 
they're engaged in.
  This is a wonderful bill. It's a wonderful opportunity. I had the 
pleasure of meeting Eunice Shriver a few years ago and discussed the 
Special Olympics with her shortly before her death. This is a major 
contribution she has made to the children of this country, and I 
strongly urge that we pass this bill.
  Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the 
majority leader, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlelady from Ohio, 
Congresswoman Fudge, for yielding. I thank her for her leadership in 
bringing this bill to the floor. I thank my friend, Mr. Petri, for his 
work on this legislation. I am once again, and too infrequently 
nowadays, glad to join with one of my best friends in the House of 
Representatives, Roy Blunt from Missouri, who has worked with me for 
many years on this issue with the Shriver and Kennedy families.
  I'm pleased that Patrick Kennedy is on the floor with us, my good 
friend and a wonderful Member of Congress, who's done such an 
extraordinary job representing Rhode Island and our country, and who 
Eunice Shriver is, I know, very proud of as she watches his commitment 
to those who have confronted disabilities and medical challenges. 
Patrick Kennedy has been a giant in raising the voice--and showed 
extraordinary courage. To that extent, that is consistent with the 
Kennedy legacy of courage in the face of adversity. Patrick, thank you 
very much.
  I met Patrick's aunt in 1962, long before many people here were born. 
It was at a Young Democrats convention at the Washingtonian Motel on 
Route 70 in Montgomery County. Sargent Shriver was the speaker at that 
convention. Judy and I were at that convention. I was then 22 or 23 
years of age, and I was, of course, properly awestruck by Sargent 
Shriver and Eunice Shriver, having gotten into politics because of John 
Kennedy's call for young people to become engaged.
  Patrick is correct in many ways. Certainly, one of, if not the giant 
of the family, was Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who, through her 
relationship with her sister, understood firsthand the discrimination, 
the isolation, the prejudice that can be directed at somebody with a 
disability, or at least with somebody that didn't have the same 
abilities that others have. Not only did she lament that but she lived 
her life to reverse that. That's what Patrick was talking about, 
compellingly. That's why Roy Blunt and I have joined together over the 
years to support this legislation.
  We have had the privilege of working with Tim Shriver and Anthony 
Shriver, who carry on the legacy. What a wonderful family, from 
generation to generation passing the torch of service from one 
generation to the next. I have had the privilege of being a close 
friend of, as I said, Patrick and his father, with whom I worked very 
closely over the years, and so many other members of his family.
  This legislation is named in honor of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who 
dedicated her long life to public service--not an elected office, but 
like so many more of us that served in elected office, millions and 
millions of Americans who saw a challenge and sought to meet it, 
especially committed to the inclusion of those with intellectual 
disabilities in the mainstream of our society. I was proud to call her 
friend. I was proud to be at NIH the day that we named a center for 
Eunice Kennedy Shriver. More importantly, she was a friend to millions 
of people around the world, many of whom never knew her name and will 
not realize how they are the beneficiaries of her leadership and her 
commitment.
  We have Eunice Kennedy Shriver to thank in large part for the Special 
Olympics and for better understanding of the challenges and potential 
of people with intellectual disabilities. This bill carries her legacy 
of inclusion and public service. It reauthorizes the Special Olympics 
Act, which continues grant funding for a remarkable movement that has 
promoted athletic competition and health for more than four decades. It 
emphasizes the importance of competition and competing and 
participating. Yes, winning is nice. But in the competition itself is 
the victory--the victory of spirit, the victory of courage, the victory 
of self-satisfaction.
  Today, the Special Olympics reaches more than 3 million athletes in 
more than 150 countries. For those athletes, the Special Olympics means 
the joy of competition and the challenge of pushing themselves to be 
their very best. For the rest of us, the Special Olympics has increased 
respect for people with disabilities. From time to time, those of us 
who have participated in the Special Olympics, particularly some time 
ago, when huggers were allowed--we were huggers. Huggers simply meant, 
Congratulations. Well done. Keep on keeping on.
  This bill also reauthorizes grants to expand the successful Best 
Buddies program, which is dedicated to the social integration of 
children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Again, Eunice 
Shriver and John Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, other Kennedy siblings saw 
Rosemary and they saw the isolation to which she was subjected. I had 
the opportunity of visiting Anthony in Florida, and Rosemary was at his 
house. The love and care extended to Rosemary was extraordinary. This 
was something that they lived, not just fought for.
  Its volunteers gain valuable leadership opportunities and its 
participants with disabilities learn that they are valuable members of 
our communities. It is a valuable part of Eunice Kennedy Shriver's 
legacy, one that has found its way to more than a thousand schools and 
workplaces, and it deserves--and I'm sure will get--our support.
  As Mrs. Shriver has said about the athletes whose competition she's 
supported for so many years, Special Olympic athletes are spokespersons 
for freedom itself--they ask for the freedom to live, the freedom to 
belong, the freedom to contribute, the freedom to have a chance. That 
should be the goal for every American with a disability, and indeed it 
should be the goal of us all. This bill brings it a little closer to 
realization.
  I, again, want to thank my good friend, Roy Blunt, who has been so 
deeply involved in this effort. It has been, as always, a privilege to 
be his partner in this effort. I urge its overwhelming adoption and 
again thank Congresswoman Fudge and Congressman Petri for their 
efforts.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to a 
special leader of this House and coauthor of the bill before us, the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt).
  Mr. BLUNT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and thank 
he and Congresswoman Fudge for bringing this bill to the floor. I'm 
honored to be here on the floor with my good friend, Mr. Hoyer. We 
first brought this concept of healthy athletes to the floor 6 years 
ago, when, for the first time, the Federal Government said we can add 
something to Special Olympics that doesn't change Special Olympics but 
just simply adds to it. It doesn't change the character of volunteers. 
It doesn't change the character of charitable contribution. It doesn't 
change the character of competition. It adds a component to Special 
Olympics that helps athletes who have many challenges discover some 
challenges in health that maybe no one has discovered yet.
  Today, this bill would simply authorize that program, which I will 
talk about in some detail, for another 5 years. I hope that we continue 
to see the kind of things that Mr. Hoyer and I have been able to watch 
as a result of this decision by the Congress 6 years ago. As has 
already been said, it also passes a bill again that this Congress

[[Page 8578]]

has already passed--a bill that Mr. Hoyer and I sponsored last year, 
that would provide a new level of assistance to Best Buddies, a program 
where adults who work with other adults who have mental challenges 
become the friend, the mentor, the person who brings that person more 
deeply into society than they otherwise would be. It also authorizes a 
new competitive grant program called the Eunice Kennedy Shriver 
Institutes for Sport and Social Impact to fund organizations that 
demonstrate commitment to the vision of special needs kids.

                              {time}  1145

  Earlier this year, Leanna Krogmann, a Special Olympian from Missouri, 
came in to see me, and along with her family and other families, Leanna 
reminded me of the importance of Special Olympics and its Healthy 
Athletes program, which really focuses on Healthy Athletes in several 
disciplines: Opening Eyes, Special Smiles, Healthy Hearing, FUNFitness, 
Health Promotion, Fit Feet and MedFest, so that those medical things 
that might not otherwise get checked, get checked.
  Patrick Kennedy has come to the floor, as have others today, 
including Mr. Hoyer, and have talked about the significant contribution 
that Eunice Kennedy Shriver made to the world and to America in so many 
ways, and the Special Olympics and Best Buddies were two of them. She 
grew up, of course, in a family of competitors, but her older sister 
Rosemary was mentally challenged and couldn't keep up. I had the 
opportunity a few years ago to meet Rosemary and to learn that every 
Christmas and every August, no matter where Rosemary was, she came to 
be wherever Eunice Shriver was. And I was honored to meet her and 
honored to speak on the floor when her life was ended about the 
contribution that life had made because of what her sister and her 
family had decided to do.
  In 1962, Mrs. Shriver started the Special Olympics in her big 
backyard--it was a big backyard, but it was a backyard--a competition 
that now attracts 3 million athletes from 160 countries around the 
world. In August of last year, a card with this challenge was part of 
Eunice Kennedy Shriver's memorial service, talking about Best Buddies 
and talking about Special Olympians. This card read, ``The right to 
play on any playing field, you have earned it. The right to study in 
any school, you have earned it. The right to hold a job, you have 
earned it. The right to be anyone's neighbor, you have earned it.'' 
These programs make a difference in people's lives.
  In Missouri in just one of the last 5 years, 1,029 athletes went 
through the Healthy Athlete screening free of charge. Families with 
many challenges often miss one. And this was something that took me a 
while to figure out because these are families who go to doctors, who 
go to events, who do lots of things, but they're dealing with lots of 
challenges. And maybe the one challenge they don't know they're dealing 
with is that this individual also can't see as well as they also 
thought they could or can't hear. And we find that out in these 
screenings. In fact, in Healthy Hearing, 18 percent of the Missourians 
in this year I'm talking about required follow-up care when they had 
their hearing test. Health Promotion, almost one in five were obese and 
got advice on healthy choices, on tobacco cessation, on sun safety. 
Opening Eyes, 230 athletes were screened in Missouri in 2007. Almost 
half, 45 percent, of the people screened needed prescription eyewear 
and didn't have it. Special Smiles, 23 percent of the 334 athletes 
screened were in urgent need of follow-up care. I was told by someone 
who runs the Missouri Special Olympics program that one young man was 
looking at the tree tops with his new glasses later on in the day after 
he had gotten them, and he said, I've always heard the birds, but I 
never saw the birds. One young woman said about her glasses that now 
her glasses meant that there was only one ball to catch instead of 
trying to figure out which of the two balls that had always been coming 
at her before was the real ball and which one she just saw.
  Let's extend these programs. Let's pass this bill. Let's encourage 
these athletes. And again, to all my friends who have come to the 
floor, who have worked to make this a program where the government 
makes some difference but still understands, as others have said, that 
anybody can volunteer, everybody is touched by being a part of this 
program. Watch a walk-on at your State's Special Olympics. Go to a 
local competition. See what it means when that card's handed out that 
says, ``You have earned it,'' as these Special Olympians and Best 
Buddies have. And I urge us to pass the bill.
  Mr. SALAZAR. Mr. Speaker I rise today in support of H.R. 5220, the 
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act.
  On behalf of the more than 2,000 Special Olympians from my district I 
am so proud to honor the legacy of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who 
dedicated her life to providing opportunities for children and adults 
with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  I also want to recognize the remarkable talent and dedication these 
athletes bring to their sports.
  Earlier this year I was lucky to meet Erin Holloway, a Colorado 
Special Olympian who visited my office in January.
  This remarkable young woman has competed in almost every Special 
Olympic sport over her 30 years in the program, before settling on golf 
and equestrian as her favorites.
  In 2005, she became the first Special Olympian inducted into the 
Colorado Sports Hall of Fame.
  She credits the Special Olympics program with giving her confidence 
in her abilities, teaching her to live independently, and the knowledge 
that she is a good person.
  Erin's remarkable story is a testament to the impact this program has 
had on the lives of thousands of Americans.
  This is an important program, and I urge my colleagues to support 
this legislation.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support the 
bill before us, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act, and yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I, as well, would ask that my colleagues 
support H.R. 5220, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Fudge) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 5220, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________