The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act

Floor Speech

* Ms. DELAURO. Madam Speaker, I rise today in proud support of H.R. 5190, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act, which reaffirms this body's support of the goals and accomplishments of the Special Olympics.

* For over four decades now, the Special Olympics has improved the health, confidence and self-esteem of Americans with intellectual disabilities. In fact, it has become such an institution now that we sometimes take it for granted, and forget what life was like for the intellectually disabled before the Special Olympics. Too often, these Americans were shuttered away in institutions, sentenced to lives of solitude, emptiness and sadness.

* But today, thanks to the hard work of the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, her son Timothy Shriver, and countless volunteers over the past four decades, Americans with intellectual disabilities are now much more woven into the fabric of community life. Over three million Special Olympians hailing from 180 countries now train and compete year-round in 30 sports and counting.

* In sum, the Special Olympics works to break down barriers of prejudice against the intellectually disabled, improve the public health, and bring communities together through promoting shared values of dedication, athleticism, perseverance, teamwork, and play.

* The good work of the Special Olympics is summed up in its motto: "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.'' It is a motto that captures the spirit of the organization, and of the champion and visionary who worked so hard on its behalf for so many years, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. And it is only fitting this bill, reauthorizing the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004, be given her name.

* I encourage my colleagues to be brave today, to stand up for Americans with intellectual disabilities, and to support the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act and the Special Olympics.

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