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Honoring and celebrating the Annual Special Olympics Philadelphia Spring Games for the joy of sport and competition it facilitates for people living with intellectual disabilities on the occasion of its 40th Anniversary.
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WHEREAS, People living with intellectual disabilities enjoy engaging in sporting activities and distinguishing themselves therein – activities that have been fostered by the efforts of the Special Olympics; and
WHEREAS, The story of Special Olympics begins over a half century ago, when Eunice Kennedy Shriver witnessed how unfairly society treated people with intellectual disabilities, including how children didn’t have a place to play, which prompted her to hold a summer day camp for young people with intellectual disabilities in her own backyard with the goal of learning what these kids could do in sports and other activities, not dwell on what they could not do; and
WHEREAS, Those efforts eventually grew into the Special Olympics movement, the founding of Special Olympics Pennsylvania, and its Philadelphia chapter, which in 1977 initiated the Philadelphia Spring Games that have grown into the biggest competition event that Special Olympics PA, Philadelphia holds; and
WHEREAS, On Saturday, April 29th, the 40th Spring Games will start around 9 a.m. with the opening parade, featuring the Law Enforcement Torch Run in which local police officers carry the Flame of Hope torch alongside athletes, volunteers, and supporters from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, for a distance of 3.1 miles to William Penn Charter School for the Opening Ceremonies; and
WHEREAS, This year’s games will feature nearly 250 athletes showcasing their skills and competing in basketball, tennis, and track & field, as well as young athletes, ages 2 -7, showing off what they have been learning in the program, and Olympic Town entertainment and activities running until 2 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, The Executive Advisory Board, Young Professionals Committee, and the thousands of individuals living with intellectual disabilities invite us to spectate in their games; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does honor and celebrate the Annual Special Olympics Philadelphia Spring Games for the joy of sport and competition it facilitates for people living with intellectual disabilities on the occasion of its 40th Anniversary.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of Special Olympics Pennsylvania, evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.
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