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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Special Olympics Texas has nurtured the athletic |
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capacity, the self-confidence, and the leadership skills of its |
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participants for nearly four decades, and many of its athletes are |
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visiting the Capitol on March 6, 2007; and |
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WHEREAS, Founded in 1969, Special Olympics Texas organized |
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the first Summer Games that same year, and soon the annual event was |
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attracting thousands of athletes; the 1980s saw the creation of the |
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Law Enforcement Torch Run, a fund-raiser for the Special Olympics |
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movement in which law enforcement officers run the Flame of Hope to |
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opening ceremonies, and the following decade brought about the |
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addition of the Winter Games; and |
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WHEREAS, In the ensuing years, Special Olympics Texas has |
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grown to encompass some 25,000 athletes participating in more than |
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200 annual competitions at area, regional, and state levels, making |
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it one of the largest Special Olympics programs in the world; a |
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Texas team traveled abroad for the first time for the 2003 Special |
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Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland, with more than 55 |
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athletes participating, and two years later, the state was |
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represented in the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games in |
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Nagano, Japan; in October 2007, some 60 athletes will compete in the |
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World Summer Games in Shanghai, China; and |
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WHEREAS, Special Olympics Texas showcases and celebrates the |
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talent, drive, and dedication of those individuals with |
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intellectual disabilities, and, in so doing, empowers its |
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participants to share in the joys of competition and teamwork; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 80th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby commend Special Olympics Texas for its exceptional programs |
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and extend to the athletes here today a warm welcome to the Capitol; |
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and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Special Olympics Texas as an expression of high regard |
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by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate. |