Jeff Denham: “H. Con. Res. 118 would authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law…”

“H. Con. Res. 118 would authorize the use of the Capitol Grounds for the District of Columbia Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run that will be held on June 1, 2012. As in years past, the Torch Run will be launched from the West Terrace of the U.S. Capitol and continue through the Capitol Grounds as part of the journey to the 27th Annual D.C. Special Olympics Summer Games. The Special Olympics is an international organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults with disabilities through athletics and competition. The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 when the police chief of Wichita, Kansas, saw an urgent need to raise funds for and to increase the awareness of the Special Olympics. The Torch Run was then quickly adopted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Today, the Torch Run is the largest grassroots effort that raises funds and awareness for the Special Olympics program. The event in D.C. is one of many Law Enforcement Torch Runs throughout the country and across 35 nations. I urge my colleagues to support the passage of this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.”