PRINTER'S NO. 1442
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
277
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY MENSCH, GORDNER, BROWNE, PHILLIPS-HILL,
BARTOLOTTA, FARNESE, SCHWANK, FONTANA, COLLETT, IOVINO,
DINNIMAN, J. WARD, LANGERHOLC, ARGALL, HUGHES, SANTARSIERO,
YAW, PITTMAN, COSTA, MASTRIANO, SABATINA, YUDICHAK,
TARTAGLIONE, BAKER, KILLION AND HUTCHINSON, DECEMBER 18, 2019
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, DECEMBER 18, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the Special Olympics Pennsylvania on the 50th
anniversary of its founding.
WHEREAS, Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) is an
organization committed to providing opportunities for
individuals with intellectual disabilities to develop physical
fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in
a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship; and
WHEREAS, SOPA was founded in May 1970 and held its first
official Pennsylvania event, a small track and field competition
at West Chester University, for 135 brave athletes; and
WHEREAS, SOPA now trains nearly 20,000 athletes within 55
local programs across this Commonwealth that compete annually in
21 Olympic-type sports at more than 300 local, sectional and
State-level competitions; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its 50-year history, SOPA has used the
power of sports, education and leadership programs to transform
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the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and unite
everyone by fostering community and building a more acceptable
and civil society; and
WHEREAS, SOPA also helps address major challenges facing its
athletes with respect to obesity, health care and employment;
and
WHEREAS, SOPA is part of a global inclusion movement that
strives to end discrimination against and empower people with
intellectual disabilities; and
WHEREAS, SOPA is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its
founding; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate honor the Special Olympics
Pennsylvania on the 50th anniversary of its founding; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Senate join the staff, athletes and
volunteers of Special Olympics Pennsylvania in celebrating the
50th anniversary of its founding.
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