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Officers Head to DallasTexas hosts the International Law Enforcement Torch Run Conference next week For Immediate Release: October 21, 2008 More than 1,000 law enforcement officers from more than 15 countries will gather in Dallas for the 2008 International Law Enforcement Torch Run Conference, hosted by Special Olympics Texas and the Texas Law Enforcement Torch Run. The conference runs from October 29 through November 2 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. The conference kicks off with Opening Ceremonies on Thursday, October 30 at 9:00 a.m. The ceremony includes a rousing opening performance from the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders; Presentation of Colors by the Dallas Police Department accompanied by the Dallas Police Department Pipe and Drum; the National Anthem performed by Miss Texas Rebecca Robinson; welcomes from Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle, Jim Sundberg of the Texas Rangers, SOTX President and CEO Margaret Larsen and Special Olympics CEO Brady Lum; a heart-stopping delivery of the grandest proportions of the torch by Dallas SWAT. The Founders Luncheon on Thursday at 12:00 p.m. is held in honor of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the founding organization of the Law Enforcement Torch Run. The IACP plays a crucial role in expanding the Torch Run through guidance and support. The guest speaker will be Nita Sessions, wife of U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions, and their son, Alex, who is a Special Olympics Texas athlete. Central Texas area athletes will take the stage as emcees for the Honors Luncheon at 12:30 p.m. on Friday. The lunch will feature the Dallas Police Choir and speakers include former Cincinnati Bengals football player, Billy Glass, his wife and Special Olympics Texas coach, Laura Glass, and their son, athlete Billy Ray Glass. Awards will be presented for excellence and outstanding programs will be presented during the lunch. On Saturday, Torch Run officers have the opportunity to see Dallas on foot at the 5K run at City Hall beginning at 9:45 a.m. A bocce competition and the Amazing Anatole Adventure will also be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. All of the three activities are sure to be a fun, team building experience. The Richard LaMunyon Hall of Fame Banquet will be held on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. During the banquet, past inductees will be recognized and new nominees will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The keynote speakers for the event are former Dallas Cowboys football coach, Joe Avezzano, and U.S. Congressman and parent of a SOTX athlete, Pete Sessions. Also during the banquet will be the ceremonial passing of the torch from Texas to Connecticut, next year's conference host. In addition to special events, officers will participate in workshops on fund raising, putting on events and a variety of other topics. In Texas, the Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1985 and had grown to become one of the largest in the nation. In the last decade, Torch Run has contributed over $11 million through the dedication of thousands of law enforcement personnel fundraising on behalf of SOTX. The support provided by this dedicated group has contributed greatly to programs in local communities, which involve more than 27,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities. For more information about the Law Enforcement Torch and Special Olympics Texas, visit www.specialolympicstexas.org or call 800.876.JOIN. Official Partners:
Andi Baca Kelly |
Created by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation. Authorized and Accredited by Special Olympics, Inc.,
for the Benefit of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. |
