HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 1-1           WHEREAS, Throughout its history the Special Olympics has made

 1-2     significant contributions to the physical, social, and

 1-3     psychological development of people with mental retardation by

 1-4     providing them with an avenue for success through athletic

 1-5     competition; and

 1-6           WHEREAS, Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the First

 1-7     International Special Olympics Games were held at Soldier Field in

 1-8     Chicago in July of that year with athletes from 26 states and

 1-9     Canada participating in track and field, floor hockey, and aquatic

1-10     events; and

1-11           WHEREAS, Special Olympics has experienced phenomenal growth

1-12     since its inception 29 years ago, and today the organization boasts

1-13     more than one million participating athletes in nearly 150

1-14     countries; each year, in excess of 15,000 games, meets, and

1-15     tournaments are held in both summer and winter sports; and

1-16           WHEREAS, The State of Texas is home to 22,000 Special

1-17     Olympians, and the volunteers and donors who contribute their time,

1-18     talents, and resources to Texas Special Olympics are determined to

1-19     make the organization one of the premier providers of Special

1-20     Olympics training and competition in the world; and

1-21           WHEREAS, By remaining steadfast in their dedication to the

1-22     Special Olympics oath, "Let me win.  But if I cannot win, let me be

1-23     brave in the attempt.", competitors in Special Olympics avail

1-24     themselves  of the opportunities not only to perform to the best of

 2-1     their abilities in their athletic endeavors but also to reach for

 2-2     new goals and to make strides in life they might otherwise never

 2-3     have thought possible; and

 2-4           WHEREAS, The exceptional character and determination of the

 2-5     young men and women from across the globe who participate in the

 2-6     Special Olympics are a source of pride and inspiration to all who

 2-7     know them, and their efforts, combined with those of the many

 2-8     volunteers and organizers who work for that exceptional

 2-9     organization, are indeed worthy of special legislative recognition

2-10     at this time; now, therefore, be it

2-11           RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas

2-12     hereby designate May 23, 1997, the opening day of the Summer Games,

2-13     as Special Olympics Day in Texas and encourage all Texans to learn

2-14     more about this vital organization.

                                                                       Pitts

         _______________________________     _______________________________

             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.C.R. No. 53 was adopted by the House on

         March 20, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House

               I certify that H.C.R. No. 53 was adopted by the Senate on

         April 18, 1997, by a viva-voce vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Secretary of the Senate

         APPROVED:  _____________________

                            Date

                    _____________________

                          Governor