Honor Special Olympics Event

Senate Resolution No. 1943 BY: Senator THOMAS COMMENDING Special Olympics New York upon the occasion of hosting its Annual Long Island Region Fall Classic on September 21, 2019 WHEREAS, Individuals and organizations devoted to improving the quality of life for others, enabling them to build lives of dignity and self-worth are deserving of the highest praise and recognition; and WHEREAS, From time to time, society calls upon these individuals and organizations to be recognized for the significance of their contributions and efforts to assist others in developing the skills necessary to be successful, productive citizens; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Special Olympics New York upon the occasion of hosting its Annual Long Island Region Fall Classic on Saturday, September 21, 2019, at Cantiague Park and Firehouse Station No. 3 in Hicksville, New York; and WHEREAS, Special Olympics was founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver in

1968; just one year later, Dorothy Buehring Phillips inaugurated the program in New York, and the state sent its first delegation of athletes and coaches to the Northeast Regional Special Olympics competition in Boston, Massachusetts; and WHEREAS, Special Olympics New York was incorporated in 1970, with Dorothy Buehring Phillips as its first State Director, and in June of the same year, Rochester hosted the first State Summer Games; and WHEREAS, Special Olympics New York has offered children and adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to participate in Olympic type sports for nearly five decades; and WHEREAS, Today, with more than 61,000 athletes registered in New York State, Special Olympics New York is the largest program in the United States and one of the largest in the world; and WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, Special Olympics New York provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community; and WHEREAS, The success of Special Olympics New York is in direct correlation to the efforts of its dedicated staff and volunteers, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Special Olympics New York upon the occasion of hosting its Annual Long Island Region Fall Classic on September 21, 2019; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Special Olympics New York.