IV 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1279 
Recognizing the Special Olympics’ 40th anniversary. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 17, 2008 
Mr. TERRY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing the Special Olympics’ 40th anniversary. 
Whereas Eunice Kennedy Shriver organized the first inter-
national Special Olympics Summer Games, which were 
held on July 20, 1968, in Chicago’s Soldier Field; 
Whereas the Special Olympics World Games are held every 
4 years; 
Whereas the Special Olympics oath is ‘‘Let me win, but if I 
cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.’’, which was 
originally spoken by gladiators entering the arena in an-
cient Rome; 
Whereas the Special Olympics is dedicated to empowering in-
dividuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically 
fit, productive, and respected members of society through 
sports training and competition; 
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•HRES 1279 IH 
Whereas the Special Olympics currently serves 2,500,000 
people with intellectual disabilities in more than 200 pro-
grams in over 180 countries; 
Whereas the Special Olympics currently has 700,000 volun-
teers and 500,000 coaches worldwide; 
Whereas the Special Olympics programs offer year-round 
training and competition in 30 Olympic-type sports for 
both winter and summer; 
Whereas at every Special Olympics awards ceremony, in addi-
tion to the traditional medals for first, second, and third 
places, athletes from fourth to last are presented a suit-
able place ribbon with appropriate ceremony; 
Whereas the Special Olympics events are open to all intellec-
tually disabled peoples that are above the age of 8 re-
gardless of the degree of their disability; 
Whereas the Special Olympics was officially recognized by the 
International Olympics Committee in February 1988 and 
is the only organization authorized by the International 
Olympics Committee to use the word ‘‘Olympics’’ world-
wide; 
Whereas the Flame of Hope is a symbol of the Special Olym-
pics World Games and is lit in a special ceremony in Ath-
ens, Greece; 
Whereas the Law Enforcement Torch Run is a multinational 
fundraising campaign for the Special Olympics programs 
in which the Flame of Hope is run by law enforcement 
officers to raise funds and awareness for the Special 
Olympics; 
Whereas the cities of Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska will be 
hosts to the Special Olympics in July 2010; and 
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•HRES 1279 IH 
Whereas the Special Olympics provides its athletes continuing 
opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate 
courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of 
gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Spe-
cial Olympics athletes, and the community: Now, there-
fore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives con-
gratulates the Special Olympics on its 40th anniversary 
for the contributions and opportunities it provides to all 
its participants. 
Æ 
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