Resolution Commending Idaho on Winning the Bid to Host the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games

Floor Speech

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 380) commending Idaho on winning the bid to host the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.

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The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman) and the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence) each will control 20 minutes.

The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.

Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution and yield myself as much time as I may consume.

In 1968, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the world's great champion of people with intellectual disabilities, created the Special Olympics. For Mrs. Shriver, the founding of the Special Olympics was a capstone of her decades-long effort to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. It is a testament to her dogged dedication that the Special Olympics thrives today.

Eunice's idea was simple: give people with intellectual disabilities the same opportunities other young people have to develop their physical fitness, to create friendships, and to enjoy the thrill of competition.

Today, the Special Olympics offers year-round training in 30 summer and winter sports for both children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The Special Olympics serves more than 2.25 million intellectually disabled people through 200 programs in 160 countries.

I want to salute my colleague Mr. Sali from Idaho for introducing this legislation. Mr. Sali rightfully takes pride that his State has landed the honor of hosting the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games. Being named host of the 2009 winter games is a tremendous achievement for the great State of Idaho. There could be no better backdrop than the stark beauty of the State of Idaho and the Sawtooth Mountains.

The Special Olympics has become an important global event. The 2009 games will include thousands of competitors from over 100 countries competing in seven different winter sports. It will be the largest multisport event in the history of the State of Idaho. Idaho will be a terrific host for an event that empowers these brave young men and women and builds their self-esteem.

I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution.

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