LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the athletes from the State of New York
who competed in the 2010 Special Olympics State Winter Games

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, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor
the athletes from the State of New York who competed in the 2010 Special
Olympics State Winter Games; and
WHEREAS, The mission of Special Olympics New York is to provide year-
round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-
style sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities,
including mental retardation, giving them continuing opportunities to
develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and
participate in a sharing of skills and friendship with their families,
Special Olympics athletes and the community; and
WHEREAS, The aim of the Special Olympics is to demonstrate that when
people with and without intellectual disabilities are brought together
by its year-round program of training and competition, myths are
dispelled, attitudes are changed, and new opportunities to embrace and
celebrate people with intellectual disabilities are created; through
their participation in Special Olympics New York athletes gain confi-
dence and build a positive self-image, which carries into the classroom,
the home, the workplace and the community; and
WHEREAS, Special Olympics New York was organized by Dorothy Buehring
Phillips in 1969; since that time, the organization has grown to become
one of the largest programs of sports training and competition for chil-
dren and adults with mental retardation in the world; it was the first
organization other than the National Olympics Committee to be recognized
and endorsed by the International Olympic Committee; and
WHEREAS, Today Special Olympics New York is the largest program of its
type in the United States, serving nearly 47,654 athletes with the
support of over 25,000 volunteers; Special Olympics New York is head-
quartered in Schenectady with regional offices in Long Island, New York
City, Hudson Valley, Central and Genesee counties; and
WHEREAS, On the weekend of February 5-6, 2010 in Syracuse, New York,
more than 400 Special Olympics New York athletes and coaches from across
the state joined in the State Winter Games; athletic competitions were
held in Alpine and Nordic skiing, speed and figure skating, floor hockey
and snowshoeing; more than 450 volunteers were needed to support the
event and were key to its success; and
WHEREAS, The Special Olympics is one of the gems of New York State and
does so much good for so many athletes, volunteers, organizers and
community members; and
WHEREAS, As true assets to society, their courage, determination and
pride stand as superb examples to all, and as ambassadors they have
represented New York in an admirable fashion; and
WHEREAS, Through their participation in Special Olympics New York,
these fine athletes have gained confidence and have built positive self-
images, which have expanded into their home, their workplace and their
community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the athletes from the State of New York who competed in the 2010
Special Olympics State Winter Games; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Neal J. Johnson, President and CEO of Special Olympics New
York.