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.