AR63

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman ERIK PETERSON

District 23 (Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren)

Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE

District 37 (Bergen)

Assemblyman STERLEY S. STANLEY

District 18 (Middlesex)

Assemblywoman NANCY J. PINKIN

District 18 (Middlesex)

SYNOPSIS

Recognizes contributions of Special Olympics.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.

An Assembly Resolution recognizing the contributions of the Special Olympics.

Whereas, The Special Olympics is an unprecedented global event that, through quality sports training and competition, enhances the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities, and in turn the lives of everyone who meet and know those individuals; and

Whereas, The first Special Olympics was held on July 20, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois, with approximately 1,000 athletes from the United States and Canada; and

Whereas, The most recent Special Olympics, which took place in the United Arab Emirates from March 14, 2019 to March 21, 2019, attracted 7,500 athletes from 190 nations and was the largest event in Special Olympics World Games history; and

Whereas, The Special Olympics provides year-round training and competitions to more than five million athletes in 190 nations; and

Whereas, In addition, the Special Olympics Unified Sports initiative joins over one million individuals with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team to train together and play together to improve understanding and forge friendships; and

Whereas, The Special Olympics allows individuals with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential and develop skills, becoming fulfilled members of their families and the communities in which they live; and

Whereas, To the greatest extent possible, Special Olympics activities are run by and involve local volunteers to create greater opportunities for public understanding and participation with individuals with intellectual disabilities; and

Whereas, Aside from the physical benefits of the Special Olympics, the athletes gain many emotional and psychological benefits, including self-confidence, social confidence, higher self-esteem, and a decrease in anxiety; and

Whereas, In 1997, the Special Olympics began an initiative called “Healthy Athletes,” which offers health screenings to athletes in need; and

Whereas, Since the “Healthy Athletes” program began, the Special Olympics has conducted more than 1.9 million screenings and is the largest global public health organization dedicated to serving individuals with intellectual disabilities in New Jersey; and

Whereas, The State of New Jersey has a long history of providing sports programs and opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities; and

Whereas, Special Olympics New Jersey is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities; and

Whereas, In addition to providing training and competition opportunities in 24 sports, Special Olympics New Jersey offers health, wellness, athletic leadership, and Unified Sports programs to 25,000 athletes across the State, all completely free of charge; and

Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper to recognize the significant contributions of the Special Olympics and reaffirm the continued support of the Special Olympics; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House recognizes the laudable goals, significant contributions and great success, and reaffirms its continued support, of the Special Olympics.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Chairman of the Special Olympics and each officer of the Board of Directors of the Special Olympics.

STATEMENT

This resolution recognizes the significant contributions of the Special Olympics and reaffirms its continued support of the Special Olympics.

The Special Olympics is an unprecedented global event that, through quality sports training and competition, enhances the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities, and in turn the lives of everyone they meet and know. The Special Olympics provides year-round training and competitions to more than five million athletes in 190 nations. In addition, the Special Olympics Unified Sports initiative joins over one million individuals with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team to train together and play together to improve understanding and forge friendships. The Special Olympics allows individuals with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential and develop skills to become fulfilled members of their families and the communities in which they live. Special Olympics activities are run by and involve local volunteers to create greater opportunities for public understanding and participation with individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Aside from the physical benefits of the Special Olympics, the athletes gain many emotional and psychological benefits, including self-confidence, social confidence, higher self-esteem, and a decrease in anxiety. “Healthy Athletes,” a Special Olympics initiative which offers health screenings to athletes in need, is the largest global public health organization dedicated to serving individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The State of New Jersey has a long history of providing sports, health, wellness, and athletic leadership programs and opportunities for over 25,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics New Jersey is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities.