[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13832]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


  CELEBRATING THE SUCCESS OF THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD GAMES IN LOS 
                                ANGELES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KAREN BASS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 8, 2015

  Ms. BASS. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize and celebrate the success of 
the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles, California. The Games 
began on Saturday, July 25, 2015 with spectacular Opening Ceremonies at 
the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum that featured an address by First 
Lady Michelle Obama. The Games ended with festive Closing Ceremonies at 
the same venue on Sunday, August 2, 2015. I am proud to represent the 
area that includes not only the Coliseum, but also the University of 
Southern California which has hosted several events, including 
aquatics, basketball, track and field competitions.
  Special Olympics World Games this year included over 6,000 athletes 
from 165 countries competing in 25 different sports. I am particularly 
happy to have the Games in Los Angeles after 16 years of being hosted 
outside of the United States.
  Since its founding in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special 
Olympics have played a significant part in fostering greater acceptance 
and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in the U.S. and 
all over the world. The Games honor the talents, perseverance and 
achievements of people who are all too often overlooked or excluded 
from mainstream society. Every year, millions of athletes participate 
in Special Olympics activities in nearly every country of the world, 
with the support of as many as one million coaches and volunteers.
  The Special Olympians here in Los Angeles have travelled far and 
overcome many obstacles in their quest for excellence. They also know 
that their willingness to step into the spotlight and share their 
abilities and dreams with the world will offer inspiration to others 
with intellectual disabilities, and to their families, friends, 
villages, towns, cities and nations.
  Thanks are also due to the families and friends back home who support 
their athletes and loved ones with intellectual disabilities, whether 
or not they will ever make it to the World Games.
  I invite all of my colleagues in the United States House of 
Representatives to join me and the entire bipartisan Los Angeles 
delegation in congratulating the organizers, coaches, volunteers, 
families, supporters and most of all the athletes on the success of the 
2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.




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