Special Olympics Athletes Meet With Members of Congress on Capitol Hill to Gain Support for People with Intellectual Disabilities Thirty-one Special Olympics athletes from across the United States met with their U.S. Representatives and Senators on Capitol Hill on February 27 to urge Congressional support for Special Olympics' fiscal year 2007 appropriations requests. The athletes were accompanied by eight Special Olympics International Global Messengers (athlete spokespersons from around the world who spread the message and vision of the movement as well as the benefits they have gained by participating in Special Olympics), as well as athletes' families, coaches and state Program leaders, who joined them in efforts to obtain funding up to the levels authorized in the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act. The act, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush in October 2004, authorizes US$15 million per year to support Special Olympics education initiatives, its Healthy Athletes program and worldwide expansion for the organization. In fiscal year 2006, Special Olympics received approximately US$5.4 million in federal funds to support Healthy Athletes. Special Olympics Illinois athlete Caitlin Cox (left) and Special Olympics International Board Member Vanessa Williams meet with Senator Richard Durbin (D-Illinois), Assistant Majority Leader (Majority Whip). Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) (right) listens intently to Special Olympics Iowa athlete Kyler Prunty (left) during a meeting in Harkin's office on Capitol Hill. During their visit to Capitol Hill, the Special Olympics delegation thanked Members of Congress for their past support, and emphasized why continued support of Special Olympics' health care, education and worldwide expansion initiatives is critical to people with intellectual disabilities, their families, and their communities-not just in the United States, but around the globe. Healthy Athletes Update  Vice President's Corner  Spotlight AMSA Screenings Promoting Health Literacy Funding Alert Testifying Before Congress Support from Capital Hill Newsbytes Success Stories Collectively, the athletes visited more than 200 Congressional offices, and those meetings have already had an impact. Senators Larry Craig (R-Idaho) and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) have agreed to co-sponsor a new “Special Olympics Congressional Caucus” and a number of senators agreed during meetings with Special Olympics athletes and Program leaders to join the caucus. A number of Representatives have volunteered to lead this effort on the House side as well. Keep the momentum going by writing a letter to your Senator or Representative, inform them of your work with Special Olympics, and the impact that Healthy Athletes has on the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities. Return to Healthy Athletes Update, Spring 2007