SJR 19 SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD WINTER GAMES                          
                                                                              
  JOE AMBROSE , legislative assistant to Senator Taylor, prime sponsor         
 of SJR 19, read the following sponsor statement.                              
                                                                               
 SJR 19 offers the support of the Alaska State Legislature to the              
 efforts of the Special Olympics World Winter Games Committee to               
 secure Anchorage as the site of the 2001 World Winter Games.                  
                                                                               
 Chaired by Patti McGuire of Anchorage, and honorary chairman                  
 Senator Ted Stevens, the committee is preparing for a site                    
 inspection in April and formal presentation of its bid in May.                
 Mrs. McGuire has stated that the support of the Legislature is                
 crucial to the success of this effort.                                        
                                                                               
 The Special Olympics World Winter Games play a vital part in the              
 mission of Special Olympics International, founded by Mrs. Eunice             
 Kennedy Shriver.  Special Olympics seeks to provide year-round                
 sports training and athletic competition for children eight years             
 old and older and for adults with mental retardation.                         
                                                                               
 Holding the 2001 Winter Games in Anchorage will put the Alaska                
 Special Olympics program in the spotlight.  The games will leave a            
 legacy that will allow Special Olympics in Alaska to expand and               
 include more of the indigenous people of our State.                           
                                                                               
 The Game will also spotlight Anchorage and all of Alaska,                     
 attracting as many as 6,000 athletes, coaches, family members and             
 volunteers.  Holding the games in Anchorage will leave the                    
 community with permanent improvements to existing winter sport                
 facilities and highlight Alaska for ten days during the winter                
 months.                                                                       
                                                                               
 Throughout the quest to locate the games in Anchorage, the Special            
 Olympics World Winter Games Committee will continue to emphasize              
 the real importance of this event.  That is the opportunity it will           
 give to Special Olympians from around the world to experience the             
 joy of competition, demonstrate courage and share in the gifts,               
 skills and friendships that personify Special Olympics                        
 International.                                                                
                                                                               
  JIM BALAMACI , Executive Director of Special Olympics Alaska,                
 testified via teleconference and stated holding the Special                   
 Olympics Games in Anchorage in 2001 would be one of the greatest              
 gifts that could be given to Alaska and to the world concerning               
 special olympics.                                                             
                                                                               
  SENATOR PEARCE  disclosed that she serves on the Board of Governors          
 for Alaska's Special Olympics.  She thanked Senator Taylor for                
 sponsoring SJR 19 and moved SJR 19 out of committee with individual           
 recommendations.  There being no objection, the motion carried.