Authorizing Use of Capitol Grounds for District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. DENHAM. I yield myself such time as I may consume.

House Concurrent Resolution 67 would authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run that will be held on September 30 of this year.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Emergency Management, and Public Buildings for introducing this resolution. I am pleased to be a cosponsor.

As in years past, the torch run will be launched from the west terrace of the U.S. Capitol and continue through the Capitol Grounds as part of the journey to the 26th Annual D.C. Special Olympics summer games. The Special Olympics is an international organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults with disabilities through athletics and competition.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 when the police chief of Wichita, Kansas, saw an urgent need to raise funds for and increase awareness of the Special Olympics. The torch run was then quickly adopted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Today the torch run is the largest grassroots effort that raises funds and awareness for the Special Olympics program. The event in D.C. is one of the many law enforcement torch runs throughout the country and across 35 nations. This year about 50 different local and Federal law enforcement agencies are participating in the day's events, and more than 1,500 law enforcement officials will be honoring the Special Olympics athletes by completing the 2-mile run.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source