Congressman Kennedy Statement on Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act

Press Release

Congressman Joe Kennedy III released the following statement in response to the reintroduction of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act. The Act, introduced by Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Rep. Peter King (R-NY) today, would reauthorize the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act and authorize the Department of Education to make grants to the Best Buddies organization to support the expansion and development of mentoring programs for people with intellectual disabilities.

Congressman Kennedy is an original co-sponsor of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act.

"When my Aunt Eunice saw the injustices her sister Rosemary faced as someone with intellectual disabilities, she started "Camp Shriver' in their very own backyard, dead-set on showing her beloved sister that life should never be defined by other people's expectations.

On the day she kicked off the first ever Special Olympics Summer Games, on a hot July day in Chicago in 1968, Aunt Eunice was met with skepticism and disbelief. Nearly five decades later, over 7,000 athletes from 170 countries took part in the most recent 2011 Games.

This bill is a testament to her vision and the incredible movement it inspired. It is a testament to the caliber and perseverance of the athletes who pour their heart into the competition and to organizations like Best Buddies that have proudly carried Aunt Eunice's mission forward."

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