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Sen. Larry Craig (left) receives a gift from Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver at a 17 November dinner honoring Sen. Craig for his support of Special Olympics. (Photo by Will Schermerhorn) |
On 19 November 2008, U.S. Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho) and Hon. Margaret Spellings, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, were honored in Washington, D.C., for their support and dedication to Special Olympics. Craig and Spellings were recognized by the Special Olympics International Board of Directors during a dinner celebrating the upcoming 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games that will be held 7-13 February 2009.
The dinner was held at the prestigious Healy Hall at Georgetown University and attended by Timothy Shriver, Chairman of Special Olympics, Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Amina of Morocco, First Lady of Panama Her Excellency Vivian Fernandez de Torrijos and members of the Special Olympics Board of Directors.
“It is a privilege to be able to recognize both Senator Craig and Secretary Spellings for their tireless efforts and commitment to Special Olympics programs and initiatives,” said Timothy Shriver. “These honors are a testament to their dedication to create an inclusive world for people with intellectual disabilities.”
Senator Craig, honorary chair of the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games, has been a dynamic force to ensure a successful event. Along with Congressman Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), he secured approximately $12 million in federal funding for the 2009 World Games. In addition, Craig has shown his personal support by attending several Special Olympics events, including the annual Hill Day reception earlier this year and a luncheon celebrating Special Olympics' 40th anniversary in July. He continues to seek resources both within and outside the government to help ensure the success of the 2009 World Games.
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U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings with Malcolm Simmons, Global Youth Activation Summit Athlete, Special Olympics Virginia (middle) and Gary Quash, Global Youth Activation Summit Partner, Special Olympics Virginia (right). (Photo by Will Schermerhorn) |
In 2007, Secretary Spellings led the first-ever U.S. Presidential Delegation to the Special Olympics World Summer Games in China. There, Spellings participated in the Global Policy Summit on the Well-Being of People with Intellectual Disabilities and spoke of her own commitment to promoting equality both on and off the playing field for people with disabilities. Following the 2007 World Games, Spellings organized the Global Summit on Education for All: Inclusive Practices for Students with Disabilities held in September 2008 in Washington, D.C. At the Summit, more than 300 global leaders in education spoke of current issues and problems facing students with disabilities in schools worldwide and met with 17 young adults, with and without intellectual disabilities, to discuss ideas for a better future. Additionally, at the Summit, Spellings announced that the Department of Education would fund a project to help support people with intellectual disabilities in their efforts to attend post-secondary education. Her efforts to hold schools accountable through the No Child Left Behind Act are helping to ensure that students nationwide achieve their full potential.
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