H.R. No. 712
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
 
         WHEREAS, Over the course of half a century, Special Olympics
  Texas has enriched countless lives by introducing individuals with
  intellectual disabilities to the transformative experience of
  competing in sports; and
         WHEREAS, The Special Olympics organization was founded in
  1963 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who opened a summer day camp to
  provide opportunities for children and adults with intellectual
  disabilities to explore a variety of sports and physical
  activities; in June 1969, the Texas branch of Special Olympics was
  established by the association today known as the Arc of Texas, and
  its first summer games took place at Paul Tyson Stadium in Waco,
  with 10 track and field events and 350 athletes; and
         WHEREAS, As participation grew, Special Olympics Texas
  expanded its competition opportunities; its first-ever winter
  games were held in Houston in January 1991, and in 2005, Texas was
  among the states selected to run a pilot program for Young Athletes,
  a sports play program for children between the ages of two and
  seven; in June 2019, the organization is observing the 50th
  anniversary of its founding; and
         WHEREAS, Today, Special Olympics Texas hosts more than 300
  events in 22 sports each year, and it has been proud to send
  delegates to represent Texas and the United States at international
  games in Greece, Ireland, Japan, China, and other countries; it
  currently serves more than 58,000 athletes and relies on the vital
  contributions of over 40,000 volunteers; and
         WHEREAS, Studies have attested to the myriad benefits of
  taking part in the Special Olympics, which include improvements in
  social competence and adaptive skills, work performance,
  self-esteem, independence, and physical fitness; and
         WHEREAS, Special Olympics Texas has helped make our state a
  place where people of all ages and abilities can enjoy a better
  quality of life through sports training, competition, and volunteer
  participation, and its outstanding record of service truly merits
  wide acclaim; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas
  Legislature hereby honor Special Olympics Texas and express thanks
  to the athletes, coaches, and volunteers who have made the
  organization the success story that it is today; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
  prepared for Special Olympics Texas as an expression of high regard
  by the Texas House of Representatives.
 
  Flynn
 
 
Bonnen of Brazoria Guerra Oliverson
 
Allen Guillen Ortega
 
Allison Gutierrez Pacheco
 
Anchia Harless Paddie
 
Anderson Harris Parker
 
Ashby Hefner Patterson
 
Bailes Hernandez Paul
 
Beckley Herrero Perez
 
Bell of Kaufman Hinojosa Phelan
 
Bell of Montgomery Holland Price
 
Bernal Howard Ramos
 
Biedermann Huberty Raney
 
Blanco Hunter Raymond
 
Bohac Israel Reynolds
 
Bonnen of Galveston E. Johnson of Dallas Rodriguez
 
Bowers J. Johnson of Dallas Romero, Jr.
 
Buckley Johnson of Harris Rose
 
Bucy Kacal Rosenthal
 
Burns King of Hemphill Sanford
 
Burrows King of Parker Schaefer
 
Button King of Uvalde Shaheen
 
Cain Klick Sheffield
 
Calanni Krause Sherman, Sr.
 
Canales Kuempel Shine
 
Capriglione Lambert Smith
 
Clardy Landgraf Smithee
 
Cole Lang Springer
 
Coleman Larson Stephenson
 
Collier Leach Stickland
 
Cortez Leman Stucky
 
Craddick Longoria Swanson
 
Cyrier Lozano Talarico
 
Darby Lucio III Thierry
 
Davis of Dallas Martinez Thompson of Brazoria
 
Davis of Harris Martinez Fischer Thompson of Harris
 
Dean Metcalf Tinderholt
 
Deshotel Meyer Toth
 
Dominguez Meza Turner of Dallas
 
Dutton Middleton Turner of Tarrant
 
Farrar Miller VanDeaver
 
Fierro Minjarez Vo
 
Flynn Moody Walle
 
Frank Morales White
 
Frullo Morrison Wilson
 
Geren Muñoz, Jr. Wray
 
Gervin-Hawkins Murphy Wu
 
Goldman Murr Zedler
 
González of Dallas Neave Zerwas
 
González of El Paso Nevárez Zwiener
 
Goodwin Noble
 
  ______________________________
  Speaker of the House     
 
         I certify that H.R. No. 712 was adopted by the House on March
  12, 2019, by a non-record vote.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House