    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [July 1, 1995]
    [Pages 1044-1045]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics World Games in
    New Haven, Connecticut
    July 1, 1995

        Let's give her another hand. [Applause] Thank you, Loretta
    Claiborne, for that wonderful introduction. And thank you for the power
    of your example for young people all across America and throughout the
    world: I know we're all impressed that you have completed 25 marathons.
    I'm also pleased that in these games you're representing Team
    Pennsylvania in one of my favorite sports, bowling. I also want to thank
    four other very special runners--four members of the United States
    Special Olympics Team, David Congdon, David McQuarry, Troy Rutter and
    Daniel Bailey, who came to Washington to the White House this week to
    run 3 miles with me to highlight the importance of Special Olympics.
    They were much faster than I was, but they were very gentle and kind
    that day. I want to congratulate the city of New Haven and the State of
    Connecticut for the magnificent job that they have done. From the
    Governor, the Senators, the members of the congressional district, to
    the mayor, to all the ordinary citizens in this State and this wonderful
    city where my wife and I met almost 25 years ago: You have done a
    wonderful, wonderful job.
        Ladies and gentlemen, we must also thank the person whose
    inspiration, leadership, and determination has brought us all here
    today, the founder of these games, Eunice Shriver. Year after year,
    decade after decade, her vision grows clearer and her energy seems to
    increase as she brings more and more and more of us throughout the world
    into the orbit of her incredible determination to make the Special
    Olympics all that it can be and to mean all that it can mean for all of
    us.
        We also thank her for making the Special Olympics a family affair.
    Thank you, Sargent Shriver, for being the creative force behind the
    worldwide growth of Special Olympics. And thank you, Timothy Shriver,
    for doing such an outstanding job as president of these 1995 games.
        I also want to thank the distinguished former Governor of
    Connecticut, Lowell Weicker, who has continued to serve his country
    magnificently as the chairman of these 1995 games. Thank you, Lowell
    Weicker. Please stand up. Thank you. [Applause]
        Let me welcome also leaders throughout the world who have come here
    to cheer for their athletes. We have people from countries all across
    the globe. I am here to cheer for the Americans. They're here to cheer
    for their ath-

    [[Page 1045]]

    letes. And we're all here to cheer all of you on. Thank you for coming
    from all distant corners of the globe.
        These world games are being called the games of inclusion. From
    their beginnings in the United States 27 years ago, the Special Olympics
    have grown to include more than 144 countries on 6 continents. Large and
    small nations are represented here, welcomed as equals.
        We have seen here people brought together of every race, color, and
    creed, every faith, in a joyful celebration of peaceful competition,
    good will, and the triumph of the human spirit. The world could learn a
    great lesson from all of you standing down here in the Yale Bowl
    tonight: Everybody counts, and everybody can do something very, very
    important and good.
        You are the living symbol that we can reach across continents,
    across cultures, across human differences, to unleash the God-given
    potential that lies within every individual. You have shown us in so
    many ways that when you are given the chance, you can do extraordinary
    things. The world community is recognizing this more and more.
        We have come so far in such a short time. Here in the United States,
    it has only been 5 years since we passed the Americans with Disabilities
    Act, committing ourselves to treating our people on the basis of their
    abilities, not their disabilities. And the world is moving as well. This
    week, on its 50th anniversary, the United Nations convened the very
    first international symposium on intellectual disabilities. There is
    more to come.
        But our work is not yet done. President Kennedy once said that the
    rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are
    threatened. So tonight I challenge all of you and every citizen of the
    world watching us to be an olympic champion for inclusion, a champion
    for equal rights, a champion for dignity, a champion for the triumph of
    the human spirit in all of us.
        That spirit, that spirit, these athletes are about to show all over
    the globe. So, by all means and with great spirit, let the games begin.
        I want all of you to know that you have our love, our support, and
    our admiration. I hereby declare the 1995 Special Olympics World Games
    officially open.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:40 p.m. at the Yale Bowl. In his remarks,
    he referred to Loretta Claiborne, athlete and Special Olympics board
    member; Gov. John G. Rowland of Connecticut; and Mayor John DeStefano of
    New Haven, CT.