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CONTACT: Tiffany Andrews, 570-6932
Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske Pursues Approval to Dedicate Building to
Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Building on Carson St. currently houses Special Olympics Southern California Headquarters
Long Beach, Calif., Sept. 27, 2010 – Friday, September 24, communities throughout the world celebrated the first annual Global Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day. This worldwide day of remembrance is in memory of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics movement, long-time supporter of Best Buddies International, and leading international advocate for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities[1]. In 2008, awarding her the first “Sportsman of the Year Legacy Award,” Sports Illustrated called her “…one of those revolutionaries who saw opportunity where others saw barriers, someone who started a movement and changed a world.”
To celebrate Shriver’s legacy and underscore support for Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC), Long Beach City Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske is requesting that the SOSC headquarters building at 6730 E. Carson St. be renamed the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Building. “For more than half a century, until her passing in 2009, Eunice Kennedy Shriver was an indomitable champion for those among us who have been neglected and ignored for too long. Her love for all people, her belief in justice and her relentlessly energetic pursuit of a better life for people with intellectual disabilities serves as an example for all of us. For that reason, I will ask that the City Council approve the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Building at its meeting in October.”
Schipske’s announcement coincides with the global initiative to commemorate Shriver’s achievements. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim supported EKS Day during a ceremony at its 6:05 p.m. game. SOSC Sports Ambassador and Pitcher Jered Weaver is among those presented a $75,000 check to Special Olympics, represented by SOSC President & CEO, Bill Shumard; Chairman of the Board, Patrick McClenahan; and Special Olympics athletes and coaches. For more information, about Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day visit www.eksday.org.
[1] Intellectual disability is the current terminology that replaced “mental retardation” and in some countries includes additional or other terminology – for example, developmental disabilities, learning disability.