ACR 147: Special Olympics Day.

WHEREAS, In the 1950s and 1960s, Eunice Kennedy Shriver saw how unjustly people with intellectual disabilities were treated and decided to take actions that led to the creation of the Special Olympics; and

WHEREAS, Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions to more than 4,000,000 athletes and Unified Sports partners in 177 countries; and

WHEREAS, Special Olympics California events bring together a large and inclusive community of athletes, families, supporters, coaches, volunteers, and many others; and

WHEREAS, Through the power of sports, Special Olympics California athletes discover new strengths, abilities, confidence, and success on the playing field and in life; and

WHEREAS, Special Olympics California is the leading voice in raising awareness about the abilities of people with intellectual disabilities in the state; and

WHEREAS, Special Olympics is the world’s largest public health organization for people with intellectual disabilities and offers a wide range of free health exams and care; and

WHEREAS, With the support of the State of California, Special Olympics California provides free year-round services and programs in sports, schools, leadership, and health and wellness to more than 50,000 people with intellectual disabilities and their families in the state; and

WHEREAS, Special Olympics California provides screenings, including vision, eye health, audiology, dentistry, prevention and nutrition, podiatry, and mental and emotional health; and

WHEREAS, Special Olympics Northern California and Special Olympics Southern California bridge the gap between medical professionals and people with intellectual disabilities to break down barriers to services and to advocate for quality care; and

WHEREAS, Special Olympics brings the power of Unified Champion Schools programs to over 1,100 schools and more than 300,000 students annually. Cultivating friendship and belonging between students with and without disabilities, the programming spans preschool to transition schools, and includes sports curriculum, youth leadership, and resources for educators; and

WHEREAS, The State of California is partnering with Special Olympics Northern California and Special Olympics Southern California by currently providing state dollars to support and expand Special Olympics programming throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will take place from June 20, 2026, to June 26, 2026, inclusive, in Minnesota, happening once every four years, and will bring together Special Olympics athletes from across the country to compete and celebrate in the spirit of inclusion; and

WHEREAS, The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will feature more than 3,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers, and 75,000 expected fans; and

WHEREAS, The 2026 Special Olympics USA Games Team NorCal and Team SoCal will include the Law Enforcement Torch Run and will represent Special Olympics Northern California and Special Olympics Southern California in 11 sports, including basketball, bowling, golf, softball, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, unified bocce, unified flag football, and unified soccer; and

WHEREAS, Special Olympics Team NorCal is comprised of 88 athletes, coaches, unified partners, which are partners without intellectual disabilities, Unified Champion School delegates, and support staff; and

WHEREAS, Team SoCal is comprised of 80 athletes, coaches, unified partners, which are partners without intellectual disabilities, Unified Champion School delegates, and support staff; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims March 9, 2026, as Special Olympics Day in California; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature congratulates Team NorCal and Team SoCal for their accomplishments thus far and wishes them success in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.