WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- The Special Olympics, for the first time ever, is slated to receive financial support from the U.S. federal government, the group said Monday.
Under the terms of The Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act, which President George Bush recently signed into law, the organization is scheduled to receive $15 million a year for the next five years to fund growth in Special Olympics programs that foster understanding and respect for people with intellectual disabilities.
Special Olympics Chairman and CEO Tim Shriver praised Bush and the members of Congress who pushed the measure through.
The new law, Shriver said, "sends a message of commitment and will positively change the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, as well as the lives of everyone who witnesses their accomplishments."
The legislation was chiefly sponsored in the House and Senate by U.S. Reps. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and Sens. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., and Harry Reid, D-Nev.
