IV 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 314 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 22, 2013 Mr. Langevin (for himself, Mr. Yoder , Mr. Cicilline , Mr. Farr , Mr. Lewis , Mr. Conyers , Mr. Nunes , Mr. King of New York , Mr. Cárdenas , Mr. Nadler , Mr. Moran , and Mr. Loebsack ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform RESOLUTION Commending and supporting the United States delegation and the United States Deaf Sports Federation in their representation of the United States at the 2013 Summer Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Whereas from July 26, 2013, through August 4, 2013, Sofia, Bulgaria, will host the 2013 Summer Deaflympics; Whereas the Deaflympics are the world's second oldest multiple sports games after the Olympics; Whereas the Summer Deaflympics have been held every 4 years since 1924 and the Winter Deaflympics since 1949; Whereas the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially recognizes the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) as the sole organization responsible for the administration of all sporting events involving the deaf and hard of hearing; Whereas USADSF is recognized by the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) as the sole national association of deaf sports in the United States; Whereas USADSF’s mission is to support the United States team athletes in achieving excellence in athletics and preserving the ideals of the Deaflympics by fostering growth of identity and inspiring goodwill for all deaf and hard of hearing United States citizens; Whereas USADSF was established in 1945 and represents over 100,000 deaf and hard of hearing athletes in the United States in nearly 1,500 individual member organizations through national sports organizations, fosters and regulates uniform rules of competition and provides social outlets for deaf athletes and their friends, serves as a parent organization of national deaf sports organizations, conducts annual deaf sports athletic competitions, and assists in the participation of United States teams in international competition; Whereas USADSF is run by volunteers who give of their time, talent, and resources for the love of the games and the athletes; Whereas over 180 deaf and hard of hearing athletes and coaches will train and travel to Sofia, Bulgaria, to represent the United States in competition of 11 sports, including men's and women’s basketball, women's volleyball, women's soccer, men's team handball, men’s and women’s track, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s bowling, men’s and women’s tennis, wrestling, taekwondo, and men’s and women’s cycling; and Whereas USADSF has brought great pride and honor to the United States in international athletic competition: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1) commends the United States Deaf Sports Federation for its efforts in sending athletes, coaches, and support staff to the 2013 Summer Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria; (2) congratulates all the athletes, coaches, and support staff of the United States team on earning a place to represent the United States at the 2013 Summer Deaflympics; and (3) wishes the United States delegation great success at the 2013 Summer Deaflympic Games.