BySenators Hobbs, Hasegawa, Darneille, Randall, Takko, Honeyford, O'Ban, Padden, Palumbo, Wilson, C., Liias, Kuderer, Saldaña, King, Sheldon, Lovelett, Wellman, Brown, McCoy, Wilson, L., Wagoner, and Hunt

WHEREAS, More than 50 years ago, Eunice Kennedy Shriver saw how unjustly people with intellectual disabilities were treated and decided to take actions that led to the creation of the Special Olympics; and

WHEREAS, Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions to more than 5.3 million athletes and Unified Sports partners in 170 countries; and

WHEREAS, Special Olympics is the world's largest public health organization for people with intellectual disabilities and offers a wide range of free health exams and care; and

WHEREAS, Through the power of sports, children and adults with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths, abilities, confidence, and success on the playing field and in life; and

WHEREAS, Special Olympics Washington is a catalyst for inclusion and provides sports and health programs year-round for 18,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities; and

WHEREAS, Lake Stevens exemplifies the community leadership needed to provide opportunity, resources, and respect for a segment of our community that has historically been ignored; and

WHEREAS, Through the support and fund-raising efforts of hometown hero Chris Pratt, local athletes like the Lake Stevens Eagles Softball Team can continue to train, thrive, and share their gifts and talents with the community; and

WHEREAS, On the 50th anniversary of the global movement, July 2018 marked the hosting of the every-four-years Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle, Washington, gathering 4,000 athletes and coaches from across the nation to compete in 14 Olympic-type sports; and

WHEREAS, The Lake Stevens Eagles competed in the Special Olympics USA Games in July 2018, representing Lake Stevens and Washington State in softball; and

WHEREAS, The Lake Stevens Eagles placed fourth in the nation in softball at the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games; and

WHEREAS, Since 2013, the team has taken home either a gold or silver medal at the annual Special Olympics Washington State Softball Tournament;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize the Lake Stevens Eagles; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Governor, Mayor of Lake Stevens, and Special Olympics Washington.