Letter to Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Chair of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the House Appropriation Committee and Rep. Tom Cole, Ranking Member of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the House Appropriation Committee - Maloney, Fitzpatrick, Kennedy, Katko Lead Bipartisan Effort to Fully Fund Special Olympics

Letter

Dear Chairwoman DeLauro and Ranking Member Cole:

As you consider the Fiscal Year 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, we respectfully urge you to fully fund Special Olympics education programs to the authorized level of $17.6 million.

Since its founding in 1968, Special Olympics has fought for rights and acceptance for people with intellectual disabilities through sport. Today, Special Olympics is a global movement of over 5.1 million athletes and 1.1 million volunteers working to create an inclusive world for all. With the help of authorizations under the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004, Special Olympics introduced Unified Champion Schools to create inclusive school climates for students with and without disabilities.

Today, nearly 3 million young people participate in the 6,500 Unified Champion Schools across the United States. Roughly 272,000 students have the opportunity to participate in Unified Sports. With the help of federal funding, Special Olympics will reach 7,500 schools by the end of this school year, transforming school climates by reducing bullying and helping students, teachers and administrator create a community of acceptance and respect.

We thank you for your support of these critical education programs for students with and without disabilities and we urge you to fully fund them in the Fiscal Year 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.