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[Page S3248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SPECIAL OLYMPICS ALASKA
Mr. SULLIVAN. Mr. President, this week we are celebrating the
50th anniversary of Special Olympics Alaska, an organization that has
done so much for so many Alaskans living with intellectual disabilities
in my State and across the globe.
The rise of the Special Olympics is one of the world's great stories.
It demonstrates both on the political and personal fronts what can
happen when a group of people get together to ensure that everyone has
the ability to participate in sports and, furthermore, develop skills
and friendships that will last them a lifetime.
The story of Special Olympics dates back to the 1960s, when one
woman, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, decided to make a difference. Mrs.
Shriver had a sister, Rosemary, who had an intellectual disability and
with whom she was very close. She knew that Rosemary's disability
shouldn't hold her or anybody else back from competing in sports and
fulfilling her dreams.
In the summer of 1968 in Chicago, Eunice Shriver opened the first
national games for Special Olympics. One thousand athletes from 26
States and Canada competed in track & field and swimming. Jump forward
to today. Because of Mrs. Shriver's vision and advocacy for people with
intellectual disabilities, there are now nearly 5 million Special
Olympics' athletes around the world, and as many as 80,000 competitions
are held every year, including in the great State of Alaska.
In 2001, Alaska hosted the Special Olympics World Winter Games. Mrs.
Shriver said it was the best World Winter Games in Special Olympics
history. That success was only possible because of the hard working
staff, board, volunteers, and athletes from the Special Olympics Alaska
organization and the complete support of a caring, engaged community.
Special Olympics Alaska will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this
weekend in conjunction with the Special Olympics Alaska Summer Games.
Hundreds of athletes and unified partners from across the State will
gather in Anchorage for 3 days of competition. They have been dedicated
to their training in aquatics, basketball, gymnastics, powerlifting,
and track & field, and this weekend will strive for their personal best
and, no doubt, have a lot of fun. There is no better place to see the
joy of competition and pure sportsmanship than at a Special Olympics
event.
My family is proud to be part of a community that supports our
Special Olympics athletes and, to brag a little, part of a State with a
world-class training center and program that is the envy of many other
States and nations. Special Olympics Alaska's success would not be
possible without the dedicated support of so many Alaska families and
the passion our athletes have for sports and this organization. Our
athletes inspire all of us. They show us the true meaning of grit,
determination, and perseverance. Our athletes know, more than any of
us, what Vince Lombardi meant when he said, ``It's not whether you get
knocked down; it's whether you get up.''
Congratulations again to all the athletes, staff, board, and
volunteers of Special Olympics Alaska for an incredible 50 years of
serving the community.
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