ACR 50: 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 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 California; 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 California bridges 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; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims March 24, 2025, as Special Olympics Day in California; and be it further

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