BILL ANALYSIS Ó
HR 27
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Date of Hearing: July 14, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS, TOURISM, AND
INTERNET MEDIA
Ian Charles Calderon, Chair
HR 27
(Jones-Sawyer) - As Introduced July 6, 2015
SUBJECT: Special Olympics.
SUMMARY: Recognizes the honor and privilege of California
hosting and states the Assembly welcomes and embraces all
athletes of the 2015 Special Olympics World Games and urges
state agencies and departments to provide assistance and support
to ensure their safety and success. Specifically, this
resolution:
1)Recognizes that the Special Olympics is a nonprofit
organization that serves over 4.4 million athletes around the
world every year.
2)Declares that the City of Los Angeles will serve as host to
the 2015 Special Olympics World Games from July 25, 2015,
through August 2, 2015.
3)Further declares that the City of Los Angeles will welcome
more than 7,000 Special Olympics athletes from 170 nations to
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compete in 25 Olympic-type sports.
4)Provides that an international team of approximately 140 law
enforcement runners and Special Olympics athletes will carry a
torch, known as the "Flame of Hope," throughout the state of
California to spread the message of Special Olympics leading
up to the Opening Ceremony.
5)States that the Flame of Hope's journey will begin at the
State Capitol in Sacramento and will end at the Los Angeles
Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles 13 days later.
6)States that the Flame of Hope will pass through scores of
cities, towns, and communities throughout California to
promote and celebrate the Special Olympics' important message
of acceptance and inclusion worldwide.
7)Declares that the 2015 Special Olympics World Games unites the
world through sports in a celebration of the abilities and
accomplishments of people with intellectual and physical
disabilities.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
COMMENTS: The author states the following on behalf of this
resolution, "With 7,000 athletes and 3000 coaches representing
177 countries, along with 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated
500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Game will be
the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world
in 2015. The Special Olympics will happen in Los Angeles,
California from July 25-August 2, 2015, and will be the single
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biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games."
The Association of Regional Center Agencies states in their
strong support, "The Special Olympics is a pinnacle event for
the community of people with intellectual disabilities. First
held on July 20, 1968, at Soldier Field in Chicago, the Special
Olympics came from years of work by Eunice Kennedy Shriver - a
long-time advocate for people with disabilities. Today, over 4
million athletes participate in tens of thousands of
competitions around the world. From amongst them, over 7,000
people from 170 nations will compete in this year's Special
Olympics World Games, in Los Angeles.
"The prestige of the Special Olympics makes it instrumental in
bringing people with intellectual disabilities into the public
eye. Their athletic abilities remind us all that their
disabilities are second to their personhood. Additionally, the
Special Olympics coordinates a Host Town Program, an opportunity
for local communities to host athletes from around the world.
"The inclusive, multi-cultural, and unifying effects of the
Special Olympics makes hosting them a signal honor for all
Californians. It is a unique chance to uplift people with
intellectual disabilities, and we deeply appreciate your
recognition of this rare opportunity to support one of the most
public stages for people (with disabilities) to demonstrate
their abilities."
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
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Support
Association of Regional Center Agencies
Opposition
There is no opposition on file.
Analysis Prepared by:Dana Mitchell / A.,E.,S.,T., & I.M. / (916)
319-3450