Best Buddies and Special Olympics Iowa Team Up for Capitol Hill Day 2010
by KARI GRONEMEYER
Best Buddies New Mexico
Spread the Word to End the Word
View Capitol Hill Day Photo Gallery |
On Wednesday, January 27, Best Buddies participant Matt Johnson from the Drake University chapter and Special Olympics athlete Kyler Prunty represented Iowa at the annual Capitol Hill Day in Washington DC.
Matt and Kyler represented all program participants from Iowa and joined Special Olympics coaches, Best Buddies supporters and family members from 43 other states to honor the legacy of Eunice Kennedy Shriver and speak with members of Congress.
Additional supporters of the event included Hollywood Records recording artist Joe Jonas of the Grammy nominated, platinum album selling Jonas Brothers and 10-time Olympic Gold medalist Carl Lewis.
For the first time ever, Best Buddies combined efforts with Special Olympics during Capitol Hill Day and urged Members of Congress to pass the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act.
Honoring the dedication and legacy of Mrs. Shriver, passage of the Act would continue the national commitment made by the U.S. Congress in 2004 when it passed the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act and begins a partnership with Best Buddies that would allow program expansion and support throughout the United States.
In total 275 meetings with members of Congress took place during this years Capitol Hill Day. Matt and Kyler met with Congressmen Steve King, Dave Loebsack, Tom Latham, a representative for Congressman Bruce Braley and Senators Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley.
The meetings were a great way for Matt and Kyler to share their successes while promoting their programs and urging for the passage of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act. Everyone enjoyed talking about the programs and the meetings resulted in more Congressional support for both Special Olympics and Best Buddies in Iowa.
Additional highlights of Capitol Hill Day include Special Olympics Chairman and CEO, Tim Shriver, and Best Buddies Founder and Chairman, Anthony Kennedy Shriver announcing an official day in honor of their mother Eunice Kennedy Shriver every fourth Saturday of September starting with September 25, 2010.
The event concluded with a reception in honor of Eunice Kennedy Shriver which was attended by participants and members of Congress including Senator Tom Harkin. Senator Harkin is a long-time supporter of Best Buddies and supported opening the Best Buddies Iowa office in 2002. |
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