Governor Perry to Kick Off Torch Run Final Leg

For Immediate Release: April 21, 2008

On Thursday, May 1, Law Enforcement Torch Runners, representing officers from across Texas, will gather on the South Steps of the State Capitol to kick off the Law Enforcement Torch Run Final Leg.  The Law Enforcement Torch Run is Special Olympics' largest grassroots fund-raiser and public awareness vehicle.

During the program at 11:00 a.m., Special Olympics Texas President and CEO – Margaret Larsen, Central Texas LETR coordinator – Pat Turck and Special Olympics Texas athletes - J.R. Hernandez and Jordan Svehlak, will speak about the impact of the Torch Run on the organization and its' more than 27,000 athletes.  Governor Perry will address the Torch Runners, before leading them to the gates of the Capitol where he will ceremoniously light five torches to kick off the final leg.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run honors the spirit of the Special Olympics movement and the courage of its' athletes.  The Torch Run will lead up to the Special Olympics Texas 2008 Summer Games, which take place from May 21-25 in Arlington.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an actual running event in which officers and athletes run the "Flame of Hope" to the Opening Ceremonies of local Special Olympics competitions, state Games, National and World Summer or Winter Games. The Law Enforcement Torch Run has been a Special Olympics tradition for more than 25 years; in Texas, the Law Enforcement Torch Run® began in 1985. 

About Special Olympics Texas
Special Olympics Texas is a privately funded non-profit organization, providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for 27,610 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the Lone Star State.  For more information about Special Olympics Texas and/or the Law Enforcement Torch Run, call 1.800.876.JOIN (5646).

Special Olympics Texas Official Partners: Coca-Cola Bottling Companies of Texas, ConocoPhillips, Food Town, H-E-B and Wal-Mart

Kelly Coffey
Vice President of Communications
Special Olympics Texas
kcoffey@sotx.org