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TO HONOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTH CAROLINA FOR ITS WORTHY STANDARDS IN COMPETITIVE SPORTS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ON THE OCCASION OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS TRADITION AND TO CELEBRATE THE LONG-ESTABLISHED PRACTICE OF HOLDING THE STATE SUMMER GAMES AT FORT JACKSON.
Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly deems it fitting and proper to pause in their deliberations to recognize and celebrate not only the fiftieth anniversary of the Special Olympics, but also the fiftieth anniversary of hosting the State Summer Games at Fort Jackson; and
Whereas, in 1968, Eunice Kennedy Shriver founded Special Olympics to take a rebellious stand against the injustices faced by people with intellectual disabilities. She wished to give people who faced these challenges a chance to demonstrate their abilities, determination, and value through sports. Fifty years later, Special Olympics has grown from a summer camp held in Mrs. Shriver's backyard to a global movement reaching more than five million individuals with intellectual disabilities in one hundred seventy countries; and
Whereas, sadly, despite this amazing feat, there are still two hundred million people with intellectual disabilities who continue to face an uphill battle for inclusion. The fight against complacency, ignorance, and stigma which Mrs. Shriver initiated fifty years ago is still just as critical today. Some face the challenge of a lack of healthcare. For others, it's a lack of education, and still others face the threat of ongoing discrimination, ridicule, derision, and even neglect and abuse; and
Whereas, Special Olympics South Carolina offers year-round sports training and competition for over 28,902 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. With Olympic-type competitions in twenty-six official and three locally popular sports on local and State levels as well as health and wellness initiatives to improve the health status and increase access to community health resources for individuals with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics South Carolina strives to meet many needs in the community; and
Whereas, Fort Jackson has been an instrumental partner throughout the lifetime of these games. For fifty years, Special Olympics South Carolina has partnered with Fort Jackson to host the State Summer Games. Throughout the years, thousands of athletes have stayed and competed on locations around the army base; and
Whereas, the members of the General Assembly are grateful for the necessary services Special Olympics South Carolina provides to our beautiful State and wish them much continued success in their endeavors. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, honor Special Olympics South Carolina for its worthy standards in competitive sports for people with disabilities on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of this tradition and celebrate the long-established practice of holding the State Summer Games at Fort Jackson.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of Special Olympics South Carolina.
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