Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 118) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members

may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 118.

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

H. Con. Res. 118 would authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run that will be held on June 1, 2012.

As in years past, the Torch Run will be launched from the West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol and continue through the Capitol Grounds as part of the journey to the 27th Annual D.C. Special Olympics Summer Games.

The Special Olympics is an international organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults with disabilities through athletics and competition. The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 when the police chief of Wichita, Kansas, saw an urgent need to raise funds for and to increase the awareness of the Special Olympics. The Torch Run was then quickly adopted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Today, the Torch Run is the largest grassroots effort that raises funds and awareness for the Special Olympics program. The event in D.C. is one of many Law Enforcement Torch Runs throughout the country and across 35 nations.

I urge my colleagues to support the passage of this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

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

This year marks the 27th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit the District of Columbia Special Olympics. The torch relay event is a traditional event organized by law enforcement personnel for the D.C. Special Olympics, which takes place at Catholic University later this month. This event has become a popular event on Capitol Hill and is an integral part of the fundraising efforts for the D.C. Special Olympics, raising thousands of funds through their own sales of t-shirts. Torch Run participants will assemble at the U.S. Capitol Building on June 1, 2012, for opening ceremonies, and then they will proceed to run or walk a 2.3-mile course to Fort McNair.

Each year, approximately 2,500 Special Olympians compete in over a dozen events in the District of Columbia, and more than 1 million children and adults with special needs participate in Special Olympics programs worldwide. The goal of the competitions is to allow mentally challenged individuals to participate in events where they are accepted and respected. Confidence and self-esteem are the building blocks for the Special Olympic Games. The Special Olympics of the District of Columbia have been operating for 43 years and have been providing services to a wide swath of D.C. residents. All programs offered to Special Olympics' athletes are always free of charge.

I am truly and personally pleased to support such a worthwhile organization, and I urge Members of the House to support House Concurrent Resolution 118 as well.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, today, May 7th, I missed the three rollcall votes of the day. Had I been present, I would have voted: ``yea,'' H. Con. Res. 105--Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event to celebrate the birthday of King Kamehameha; ``yea,'' H. Con. Res. 117--Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers' Memorial Service; ``yea,'' H. Con. Res. 118--Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Personal Explanation

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, May 07, 2012 I had obligations that necessitated my attention in Sydney, Illinois, in my district and missed suspension votes on H. Con. Res. 105 Authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall to celebrate King Kamehameha, H. Con. Res. 117 Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for National Peace Officers Memorial Service, H. Con. Res. 118 Authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the DC Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Had I been present, I would have voted ``aye'' on the above stated resolutions.

Mr. President, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed en bloc to the consideration of some concurrent resolutions: Resolutions numbered H. Con. Res. 105, H. Con. Res. 106, H. Con. Res. 117, and H. Con. Res. 118.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolutions be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table en bloc, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements be printed in the Record.