Athletes Met with U.S. Representatives
Dallas area athletes and volunteers brings message of support to the Nation’s Capitol
For Immediate Release: March 12, 2009
On Wednesday, March 4, Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) athletes Myles Barman and Paul Holland, along with their parents Donna Barman and Liz Holland and volunteer Julia Scott, met with U.S. Representatives from Texas during Special Olympics Capitol Hill Day. The purpose of the visit was to urge Congressional support for Special Olympics Fiscal Year 2010 appropriations requests and to share with them the accomplishments of Special Olympics Texas.
Special Olympics Texas was one of 39 Programs that participated in this year's event. Since the inception of Hill Day in 2005, Special Olympics athletes have been empowered by the Special Olympics movement to meet with their state's Members of Congress to share their successes, but also their need for support as a person with intellectual disabilities.
During the meetings, SOTX asked for continued financial support of the movement. The Representatives were invited to Special Olympics events in their districts and given literature about different programs within the SOTX movement. Barman and Holland spoke about their involvement and accomplishments in the organization, including competing at national and international Games.
This October, the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004, signed into law by former President George W. Bush, expires and Special Olympics hopes that it will be championed for reauthorization. The Act provides critical funding for Special Olympics sports, education and health programs through the Departments of Health and Human Services, Education and State. Several Special Olympics programs rely on this funding to provide vital services to athletes and families, including the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® program and several educational programs.
More than 200 million people worldwide have an intellectual disability, making it the largest disability group worldwide. Intellectual disability crosses racial, ethnic, educational, social and economic lines, and can occur in any family.
"Special Olympics programs not only touch the lives of our nearly three million athletes that participate around the world, but our movement also serves as a catalyst for promoting acceptance and inclusion in all communities," said Timothy Shriver, Special Olympics Chairman and CEO. "Throughout the world and here in the United States, people with intellectual disabilities continue to be stereotyped and discriminated against, but through Special Olympics they are empowered to serve as leaders and prove that their abilities outshine their disabilities."
In 2008, Special Olympics celebrated 40 years of changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities through sports, along with building more inclusive and engaged communities around the world. This year, Special Olympics Texas celebrates 40 years of changing lives in the Lone Star State.
About Special Olympics Texas
Special Olympics Texas is a privately funded non-profit organization providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for 32,240 children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the Lone Star State. Be a part of the movement that is CHANGING LIVES in your community. For more information, visit our website at www.specialolympicstexas.org.
SOTX Official Partners:
Coca-Cola Bottling Companies of Texas, ConocoPhillips, Food Town and H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust
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Andi Baca Kelly
Public Relations Coordinator
Special Olympics Texas
akelly@sotx.org
