SR1796 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1796 LRB100 22261 MST 40950 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Special Olympics serves children, adults, and adults of advancing age who have been diagnosed with an intellectual disability limiting their adaptive skills necessary to live, work, and contribute in the community; and

WHEREAS, The Special Olympics movement was launched in July of 1968 when Anne McGlone Burke and Eunice Kennedy Shriver led 1,000 intellectually disabled athletes from 26 states and Canada to Chicago's Soldier Field to compete in Olympic-styled track and field events; and

WHEREAS, In July of 2018, the Special Olympics will commemorate its 50th Anniversary through a series of week-long events in Chicago highlighting the evolution of the Special Olympics from exclusive sports meant only for people with intellectual disabilities to inclusive sports meant for all and launching the next 50 years of inclusion; approximately 70,000 are expected to attend; and

WHEREAS, The Unified Football Cup will take place July 17, 2018 through July 20, 2018 in which Special Olympics Unified Football teams representing every region of the world will come to Chicago for an inaugural global tournament, in partnership with the Chicago Fire Soccer Club and ESPN; and

WHEREAS, The Eternal Flame of Hope Monument dedication in Chicago at the main entrance of the Museum Campus and Soldier Field will take place on July 20, 2018 and will include a ceremony on the 50th birthday of the Special Olympics dedicating a permanent monument to the organization and its athletes; and

WHEREAS, The Law Enforcement Torch Run will take place on July 20, 2018 and will include a ceremonial Law Enforcement Torch Run featuring hundreds of law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes from Chicago and the world; and

WHEREAS, The Global Day of Inclusion Festival and Concert will take place on July 21, 2018 in Chicago and will include athletes from the first Games in 1968 who will be joined by present day athletes to tell the Special Olympics Story; it will include a festival of activities bringing together the world's top musicians, athletes, artists, celebrities, global leaders, donors, and partners to celebrate and advance the Special Olympics' inclusion movement and "Choose to Include" message around the globe through attendance, marketing, and digital opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Each of the events for the 50th Anniversary will include goals of raising awareness, enhancing outreach, support, and education, and, most importantly, engaging the next generation of individuals with and without disabilities who will carry the "Flame of Hope" for inclusive communities into the next 50 years; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we fully support the 50th anniversary celebration of the Special Olympics and are encouraged to participate in the events surrounding the celebration; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we congratulate all Special Olympics athletes, past and present, on their remarkable accomplishments on and off the field; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we declare July of 2018, the month of the 50th anniversary of the first International Special Olympics Summer Games, as Special Olympics Month in the State of Illinois.