Today, the Illinois House of Representatives recognized the Illinois members of Team USA who participated in the 2025 Special Olympic World Winter Games in Turin, Italy.
State Representative Dave Severin spent 11 years as the director of the Special Olympics in Southern Illinois. He released a statement encouraging colleagues, supporters, or anyone in the state to volunteer or attend a Special Olympics event.
"If you've never volunteered or have been to a Special Olympics event, I want you to do so. There are eighteen or nineteen events that are held throughout the state. Once you go, you're hooked for life."
In honor of the team members and volunteers, the House passed House Resolution 302, which "Congratulates the Illinois members of Team USA who represented our State with honor at the 2025 Special Olympic World Winter Games."
Representative Severin repeated the oath in his statement today.
"'Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.' That is a tremendous oath to all the Special Olympics Events and their tournaments, but it's a great life lesson for each of us."
The Special Olympics is the world's largest sporting event for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Over 1500 athletes worldwide compete in alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, dance, figure skating, floorball, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and short track speed skating.
