Recognizing the Special Olympics' 40th anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1279, ``Recognizing the Special Olympics 40th anniversary''. First, I would like to thank my distinguished colleague, Lee Terry of Nebraska, for introducing this important piece of legislation. This resolution will recognize the significance of the Special Olympics in establish lasting competitive bonds and teaching the world that all people possess the same courage and profound joy in the face of athletic competition. Through its 40 years the Special Olympics has dedicated itself to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive, and respected members of society through sports training and competition. I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this act.

The Special Olympics currently serves over 2,500,000 people with intellectual disabilities in more than 200 programs in over 180 countries. The organization has over 700,000 volunteers and 500,000 coaches worldwide. Indeed, every four years the Special Olympics requires a massive undertaking of athletes, volunteers and coaches. Throughout all this the organization has stood true to its oath ``Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt''. Indeed, the bravery of the Special Olympics and its intellectually disabled athletes is inspiring, and well worth this commendation.

This bill recognizes not only the importance of an organization such as the Special Olympics, but also its effects. Children and adults with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special Olympics develop improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image. These competitors grow not only physically, but mentally, and emotionally. In the process new powerful ties are made between individuals and between nations regardless of the barriers of language and geography.

This legislation will express the desire of Congress to recognize the tireless compassion of those volunteers and coaches working with the Special Olympics, as well as the unshakeable bravery of its athletes. Through its 40 years of service the Special Olympics has helped millions of intellectually disabled children and adults to find their true voice.

Whether it is through their 40 years of international competition, or their work regionally, where chapters such as Special Olympics Texas work to bring out both athleticism and joy from the intellectually disabled in 21 sports, this organization has shown a commitment to bringing out the best in both volunteer and competitor alike. To think that from a small summer day camp for intellectually challenged children and adults could evolve into a

world-wide organization, is a testament to the lasting vision of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, its founder, and the commitment of volunteers, such as the 40,000 from Texas, to this dream.

I want to first say thank you to the chairman and ranking member for allowing this to come to the House floor in such a rapid manner. It is my pleasure to have authored this resolution in working with Special Olympics on their 40th anniversary.

In those 40 years since Mrs. Eunice Shriver dreamed of helping those with intellectual disabilities by having them compete as a part of letting them know that they can achieve and as part of their therapies, in those 40 years since her vision came to be, we have seen many with intellectual disabilities win and let them be better in that competition. I am also pleased that my community is hosting the International Special Olympics competition in 2010 between Omaha and Lincoln.

As my colleagues have stated, Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the great cause of empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive, and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Participation in Special Olympics' year-round sports training and athletic competition is open to anyone with intellectual disabilities ages 8 and older.

Currently there are 700,000 volunteers and 500,000 coaches worldwide that serve over 2.5 million people with intellectual disabilities by helping them participate in over 200 programs in 180 countries. It is important to note that Special Olympics would not exist today and could not have been created without the time, energy, commitment, and enthusiasm of many of its volunteers. As a grassroots organization, Special Olympics relies on volunteers at all levels of the movement to ensure that every athlete is offered a quality sports training and competition experience.

The athletes have choices of just about any sport you can think of, from winter sports, aquatics, badminton, basketball, track and field, snowboarding, sailing, table tennis, handball, racquetball, volleyball. It goes on and on and on.

The Special Olympics oath is inspirational to all and was originally spoken by gladiators entering the arena in ancient Rome: ``Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.''

Madam Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I strive every day to live up to these words. Again, I am proud to be associated with this resolution and Special Olympics and urge its passage on the floor today. Again, I thank Mr. Berman and Mr. Chabot for making sure that this arrived on the floor in such a rapid manner.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1279 to recognize and congratulate Special Olympics for 40 years of extraordinary service to individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Beyond giving 2.5 million athletes a chance to compete, it gives their families a way to involve their sons, daughters, brothers and sisters. A chance for them to cheer. A chance to coach. A chance to connect in a special way. A chance to see their family member be accepted and respected in their communities.

After 40 years, there are now millions of stories of courage in the Special Olympics, but one athlete who has taken the oath and that embodies this year's theme is LP Esquibel from Dodge City, Kansas. He is more than a fan of courage. He is courageous and because of his courage he was awarded the Most Inspirational Athlete award at the Summer Games this year. Cerebral Palsy kept him from walking until he was 5 years old, but it hasn't kept him from becoming a 13-year veteran of the Special Olympics. It also hasn't kept a smile from his face. From all accounts, LP is more than a great athlete in his events of basketball, shot put, and the 100-yard walk, he is an encouragement to his fellow teammates and helps them on the court.

It is stories like LP's that has sold me on the power and benefits of the Special Olympics. Since 2007, I have served as the Honorary Chairman for the Kansas Law Enforcement Torch Run. The Torch Run covers hundreds of miles throughout Kansas and raises thousands of dollars in support of Special Olympics programs. This year-round fundraiser and awareness initiative was implemented by former Wichita Police Chief Richard LaMunyon in 1981. It became an international event 3 years later in 1984 when Chief LaMunyon presented it to the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is now the largest grass-roots fundraiser and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics around the world.

It was an honor to help raise money this past summer to help send Kansas athletes to compete in China at the World Olympics. I enjoyed meeting them and hearing of their success.

Special Olympics does remarkable work, both in the State of Kansas and across the globe. I would like to commend the leaders and volunteers of Special Olympics for 40 years of outstanding service and wish them continued success in the future.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I would first like to also commend the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry) for his leadership and his offering this particular resolution, and I also rise to support this resolution, H. Res. 1279, which recognizes the Special Olympics on its 40th anniversary.

On July 20, 1968, as was mentioned, Eunice Kennedy Shriver organized the first Special Olympic Summer Games, which took place at Soldier Field in Chicago. Since then, the Special Olympics has become one of the most prominent and celebrated sporting programs in the entire world. The Special Olympics today serves more than 2\1/2\ million people with intellectual disabilities.

These inspirational athletes work with more than 1 million volunteers and coaches worldwide, training year round for competition in both Summer and Winter Games. In more than 200 countries, the Special Olympics has shown that intellectual disabilities are no impediment to fun and healthy athletic competition. These athletes are supported by more than 18,000 dedicated volunteers.

In my own State, Special Olympics Ohio has approximately 200 local member organizations and over 18,000 athletes who are in training and competition. These organizations originate from county boards of MR/DD, public schools, developmental centers, parks and recreation departments, churches, and parent and community groups.

For the past 40 years, these games have empowered individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit and have fun while engaging in sports training and competition.

As was indicated by the gentleman from California, and I think the quote again warrants stating, that like the gladiators of ancient Rome, Special Olympics athletes pledge, ``Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.''

On this 40th anniversary, we congratulate these courageous athletes and wish the program many more years of continued success.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry), who is the author of this particular resolution. As I indicated before, he is also a member of the powerful Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Madam Speaker, we have no further speakers and we yield back our time.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1279) recognizing the Special Olympics' 40th anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Terry) for putting forward a very important resolution which celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Special Olympics and recognizes the lifelong achievements of one of America's great champions of compassion, Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

Mrs. Shriver's leadership in the worldwide effort to improve and enrich the lives of people with intellectual disabilities is unparalleled. Her work led to the creation of the Presidential Committee on Mental Retardation in the Kennedy administration. She also organized the first International Special Olympics Summer Games on July 20, 1968 in Chicago's Soldier Field. Since that day, Mrs. Shriver has built the Special Olympics into an organization with global reach which has enriched the lives of 2,500,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities in over 180 countries.

The Special World Games, like the Summer and Winter Olympics, are held every 4 years. And since 1988, they have been officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee. They are dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities. These contests allow Special Olympians to enjoy the thrill of competition, to develop sportsmanship, self-esteem, and fellowship.

The oath of the Special Olympians is, ``Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.'' The Special Olympians are indeed brave. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers and so I reserve my time.

I yield back my time, Madam Speaker.