[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book II)]
[December 17, 1998]
[Pages 2187-2188]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks at the Conclusion of the Special Olympics Dinner
December 17, 1998

    Thank you. This has been a wonderful night. Hillary and I want to 
thank all the artists who have graced this stage. They have brought 
something special to this part of the White House lawn and this 
beautiful tent that we've never had before. They certainly have helped 
to put us all in the holiday spirit, including our good friend Whoopi, 
who I thought was terrific tonight, even in the breaks.
    I feel very proud to be a part of this special evening to pay 
tribute to Special Olympics. Tonight we celebrate 30 years of breaking 
down barriers and building up hope, 30 years of widening the circle of 
opportunity, 30 years of helping Americans with disabilities to reach 
their highest potential. Tonight we celebrate the victory of the human 
spirit. We see the power of that spirit every single time an athlete 
like Loretta runs a race, every time a young person realizes the wonder 
that he can swim faster than almost anybody else in the pool, every time 
a parent's heart fills with pride as her child steps with confidence 
onto the winner's block, and every time a volunteer learns the joy of 
helping people with disabilities to make the most of their abilities.
    As Special Olympics enters its fourth decade, this legacy is being 
passed from generation to generation, in a circle of hope, as the 
children of Special Olympics volunteers take their place in the dugouts 
and on the sidelines and as former competitors become coaches and 
mentors to new young athletes. The Special Olympics torch, which began 
as a small flicker of light in 1968 in Chicago, now burns brightly all 
around the world as a symbol of acceptance and pride.
    Tonight, we thank all of you, every single one of you who have made 
this possible: the Shriver and Kennedy families, without whose vision 
there would be no Special Olympics; the thousands of supporters and 
volunteers whose dedication sustains that vision; the millions of 
athletes whose courage inspires and challenges all of us. And we salute 
the next generation

[[Page 2188]]

of Special Olympics heroes who will keep that flame alive in the 21st 
century.
    Now, I'd like to ask all the artists here with us tonight to come 
back on stage and sing just one more song for you, Eunice, and all the 
rest of us, and for Special Olympics.
    Thank you very much.

Note: The President spoke at approximately 11:10 p.m. in a pavilion on 
the South Lawn at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to 
comedienne Whoopi Goldberg; Special Olympics athlete Loretta Clairborne; 
and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder, Special Olympics. The transcript 
released by the Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks 
of First Lady Hillary Clinton.