Bill > AR98

Introduced Session

This resolution recognizes the significant contributions of the Special Olympics and reaffirms its continued support of the Special Olympics. The Special Olympics is an unprecedented global event that, through quality sports training and competition, enhances the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities, and in turn the lives of everyone they meet and know. The Special Olympics provides year-round training and competitions to more than five million athletes in 190 nations. In addition, the Special Olympics Unified Sports initiative joins over one million individuals with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team to train together and play together to improve understanding and forge friendships. The Special Olympics allows individuals with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential and develop skills to become fulfilled members of their families and the communities in which they live. Special Olympics activities are run by and involve local volunteers to create greater opportunities for public understanding and participation with individuals with intellectual disabilities. Aside from the physical benefits of the Special Olympics, the athletes gain many emotional and psychological benefits, including self-confidence, social confidence, higher self-esteem, and a decrease in anxiety. "Healthy Athletes," a Special Olympics initiative which offers health screenings to athletes in need, is the largest global public health organization dedicated to serving individuals with intellectual disabilities. The State of New Jersey has a long history of providing sports, health, wellness, and athletic leadership programs and opportunities for over 25,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics New Jersey is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing year-round sports training and athletic competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

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Erik Peterson (R)*,  Jay Webber (R), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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