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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Over the course of half a century, Special Olympics |
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Texas has enriched countless lives by introducing individuals with |
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intellectual disabilities to the transformative experience of |
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competing in sports; and |
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WHEREAS, The Special Olympics organization was founded in |
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1963 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who opened a summer day camp to |
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provide opportunities for children and adults with intellectual |
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disabilities to explore a variety of sports and physical |
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activities; in June 1969, the Texas branch of Special Olympics was |
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established by the association today known as the Arc of Texas, and |
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its first summer games took place at Paul Tyson Stadium in Waco, |
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with 10 track and field events and 350 athletes; and |
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WHEREAS, As participation grew, Special Olympics Texas |
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expanded its competition opportunities; its first-ever winter |
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games were held in Houston in January 1991, and in 2005, Texas was |
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among the states selected to run a pilot program for Young Athletes, |
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a sports play program for children between the ages of two and |
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seven; in June 2019, the organization is observing the 50th |
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anniversary of its founding; and |
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WHEREAS, Today, Special Olympics Texas hosts more than 300 |
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events in 22 sports each year, and it has been proud to send |
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delegates to represent Texas and the United States at international |
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games in Greece, Ireland, Japan, China, and other countries; it |
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currently serves more than 58,000 athletes and relies on the vital |
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contributions of over 40,000 volunteers; and |
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WHEREAS, Studies have attested to the myriad benefits of |
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taking part in the Special Olympics, which include improvements in |
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social competence and adaptive skills, work performance, |
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self-esteem, independence, and physical fitness; and |
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WHEREAS, Special Olympics Texas has helped make our state a |
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place where people of all ages and abilities can enjoy a better |
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quality of life through sports training, competition, and volunteer |
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participation, and its outstanding record of service truly merits |
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wide acclaim; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 86th Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Special Olympics Texas and express thanks |
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to the athletes, coaches, and volunteers who have made the |
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organization the success story that it is today; 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. |