[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 50 (Monday, December 18, 2000)]
[Pages 3095-3096]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a Special Olympics Dinner

December 15, 2000

    Thank you, Senator. Trying to get in practice, guys. I want to thank 
Victor and Katy and Barry and all the Special Olympics global 
messengers. Let's give them all a big hand

[[Page 3096]]

again. [Applause] Actually, I don't know whether I want to thank Victor 
or not. I understand that the very first time you played golf, you hit a 
ball 250 yards. And I want to know the secret before we go any further 
with this friendship of ours.
    I also want to thank our friend Jamie Lee Curtis, who has been a 
great master of ceremonies and has walked us all through this tonight. 
Let's give her a big hand--[applause]--and all the wonderful performers 
who have graced this stage tonight because they believe in Special 
Olympics. Hillary and I have been proud supporters of Special Olympics 
for many, many years, and we're proud to be part of this very special 
evening.
    Special Olympics is a program of sports, training, and competition, 
but ultimately it's a strong statement of optimism about human life. It 
says that every human being can learn and grow and contribute to the 
society we all share. It casts a spotlight on the dignity of human life 
and the beauty of the human soul.
    Special Olympics teaches us that when people with disabilities gain 
skill and confidence, we all win from their abilities. When Special 
Olympic athletes from America meet their counterparts from places like 
China and Botswana, people all over the world are enriched. And in this 
century, we have just begun. If we help Special Olympics establish 
global networks for families, create new health programs for athletes, 
and open new opportunity for 2 million athletes around the world, every 
one of us will be better off.
    Special Olympics began as a small flicker in the heart of one 
remarkable woman, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. We miss her tonight, and we 
thank Sarge and her whole family for being here. Special Olympics enters 
a new century, not a small flicker but a bursting flame of pride and a 
beacon of inspiration for every one of us.
    So tonight we celebrate what has been accomplished, and even more, 
we look forward to the future with determination and confidence. And 
now, I want all of our artists to get a big hand. They're back on the 
stage, and they're going to sing us--you know, I only have just a few 
days left--[laughter]--so I'm going to take every opportunity I can to 
ask for everything I can. I want one more song.
    Merry Christmas, everybody.

Note: The President spoke at 12:11 a.m. in a pavilion on the South Lawn 
at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Special Olympics 
Global Messengers Victor Stewart, Texas, Katy Wilson, Georgia, and Barry 
Cairns, Jr., United Kingdom; actress Jamie Lee Curtis; and Eunice 
Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics, and her husband, 
Sergeant Shriver.