SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 335
WHEREAS, Over the course of half a century, Special
Olympics Texas has enriched countless lives by introducing
individuals with intellectual disabilities to the transformative
experience of competing in sports; and
WHEREAS, The Special Olympics organization was founded in
1963 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who opened a summer day camp to
provide opportunities for children and adults with intellectual
disabilities to explore a variety of sports and physical
activities; in June 1969, the Texas branch of Special Olympics was
established by the association today known as the Arc of Texas, and
its first summer games took place at Paul Tyson Stadium in Waco,
with 10 track and field events and 350 athletes; and
WHEREAS, As participation grew, Special Olympics Texas
expanded its competition opportunities; its first-ever winter
games were held in Houston in January 1991, and in 2005, Texas was
among the states selected to run a pilot program for Young
Athletes, a sports play program for children between the ages of
two and seven; in June 2019, the organization is observing the
50th anniversary of its founding; and
WHEREAS, Today, Special Olympics Texas hosts more than 300
events in 22 sports each year, and it has been proud to send
delegates to represent Texas and the United States at
international games in Greece, Ireland, Japan, China, and other
countries; it currently serves more than 58,000 athletes and
relies on the vital contributions of over 40,000 volunteers; and
WHEREAS, Studies have attested to the myriad benefits of
takingpartintheSpecialOlympics,whichincludeimprovements
in social competence and adaptive skills, work performance,
self-esteem, independence, and physical fitness; and
WHEREAS, Special Olympics Texas has helped make our state a
place where people of all ages and abilities can enjoy a better
quality of life through sports training, competition, and
volunteer participation, and its outstanding record of service
truly merits wide acclaim; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
Legislature, hereby honor Special Olympics Texas and express
thanks to the athletes, coaches, and volunteers who have made the
organization the success story that it is today; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
prepared for Special Olympics Texas as an expression of high
regard by the Texas Senate.
Hancock
Alvarado Huffman Paxton Alvarado Huffman Paxton
Alvarado Huffman Paxton
Bettencourt Hughes Perry Bettencourt Hughes Perry
Bettencourt Hughes Perry
Birdwell Johnson Powell Birdwell Johnson Powell
Birdwell Johnson Powell
Buckingham Kolkhorst Rodríguez Buckingham Kolkhorst Rodríguez
Buckingham Kolkhorst Rodríguez
Campbell Lucio Schwertner Campbell Lucio Schwertner
Campbell Lucio Schwertner
Creighton Menéndez Seliger Creighton Menéndez Seliger
Creighton Menéndez Seliger
Fallon Miles Taylor Fallon Miles Taylor
Fallon Miles Taylor
Flores Nelson Watson Flores Nelson Watson
Flores Nelson Watson
Hall Nichols Whitmire Hall Nichols Whitmire
Hall Nichols Whitmire
Hinojosa Zaffirini Hinojosa Zaffirini
Hinojosa Zaffirini
Patrick, President of the Senate
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 12, 2019.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
Alvarado Huffman Paxton
Bettencourt Hughes Perry
Birdwell Johnson Powell
Buckingham Kolkhorst Rodríguez
Campbell Lucio Schwertner
Creighton Menéndez Seliger
Fallon Miles Taylor
Flores Nelson Watson
Hall Nichols Whitmire
Hinojosa Zaffirini