Rhode Island Representatives From Special Olympics and Best Buddies Attend Capitol Hill Day
by KAREN SCHNABEL
Best Buddies Rhode Island
January 27, 2010 - Special Olympics and Best Buddies joined together on Capitol Hill to urge Members of Congress to pass The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act, which will continue a national commitment by the U.S. Congress made with passage of the 2004 Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act.
The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act also includes The Best Buddies Empowerment for People with Intellectual Disabilities Act of 2009, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in April 2009. This new legislation continues the legacy of Mrs. Shriver by authorizing funds for specific programs supporting persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in health, education and global program initiatives.
Mrs. Shriver, who passed away in August 2009, founded Special Olympics in 1968 and was a longtime supporter and board member of Best Buddies, which was founded in 1989.
On Wednesday, January 27, Special Olympics athletes and Best Buddies participants from Rhode Island joined with coaches, program leaders and family members from 43 states to participate in their annual Capitol Hill Day in Washington, DC in honor of the legacy of Mrs. Shriver.
Hailey DuPont, Special Olympics athlete and Jimmy Isom, Best Buddies Ambassador and participant, joined me and Dennis DeJesus, Executive Director and Gerri Walter, Director of Public Relations at Special Olympics Rhode Island, Meredith O’Connell, a junior at Barrington High School, and Neil Mercier of The Fogarty Center in representing our state programs during meetings with Rhode Island members of Congress.
“As the new State Director for Best Buddies Rhode Island I was so honored to take part in Capitol Hill Day. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act of 2010 will provide both Special Olympics and Best Buddies with much needed funds to support our programs of inclusion for adults and students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
Attending our meeting with Senator Jack Reed was Anthony Kennedy Shriver, founder and chairman of Best Buddies International and Lisa Derx, Vice President of Government Relations. Senator Reed was very attentive as he listened to each and every one of us speak about the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act and why this is of vital importance to not only our state programs but to Best Buddies programs across the nation. Mr. Isom told Mr. Reed that he has been with Best Buddies for 2 years and explained why it is important to him.
“I love being the Buddy Director for Best Buddies! Ali and me go to dinner and plan what events we will have. We are going to have a Karaoke Night next month! I love when we dance and sing together. Ali and I have a lot of fun and I would do anything for her. She is my best buddy!”
We also met with Congressman Jim Langevin, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, and Congressman Patrick Kennedy who all took time out of busy schedules to meet with us. Congressman Kennedy was so welcoming and spent much of our time together speaking to Mr. Isom about his involvement as the Buddy Director for Best Buddies at Providence College and to Ms. DuPont about being a Special Olympics athlete. Congressman Kennedy took the time to have his photo taken with them individually as well as with our group. He is a passionate supporter of both Best Buddies and Special Olympics and knows firsthand the importance of social inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
It was a wonderful experience for all of us and we anticipate that our presence in Washington, DC will encourage our Members of Congress to pass The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act of 2010. |
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