Senate Recognizes Special Olympics Oklahoma Family Of The Year

The Oklahoma State Senate adopted a resolution Thursday recognizing Dale and Carrie Schultz and their son J.C. of Catoosa as the 2008 Family of the Year for Special Olympics Oklahoma.

Senate Resolution 92 was authored by Sen. Mary Easley, D-Tulsa. She introduced the family on the Senate floor at the State Capitol.

“The Schultz family exemplifies the extraordinary care and commitment of all families and their Special Olympics children,” Easley said. “They dedicate their time and effort to not only helping their son, but other children as well. They are truly deserving of this award and recognition.”

The Schultz’s have been involved with Special Olympics for seven years. J.C. competes in electric wheelchair races while Dale serves as a volunteer coach and chaperone and Carrie has been a coach for the past two years.

Mrs. Schultz said her family was grateful to Sen. Easley and the Oklahoma Senate for the resolution.

“We are very honored and humbled to receive this recognition,” Mrs. Schultz said. “It was so exciting to see his (J.C) face when the senators gave us a standing ovation on the Senate floor. J.C. had a huge smile. He was very touched.”

The Schultz’s received their award May 7 during at the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics Oklahoma Summer Games in Stillwater. Shelley Gibson, a teacher and coach at Catoosa High School was also honored as the Special Olympics Oklahoma Coach of the Year. She serves as J.C. Schultz’s coach.

During the Summer Games competition, J.C., age 15, won a gold medal in the 25-meter wheelchair race and a silver medal in the 25-meter partner-walk race.

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Judge Bana Roberts serves on the U.S. District Court Western District of Oklahoma. She is also chairman of the Special Olympics Oklahoma Board of Directors. She said the Schultz’s epitomize what Special Olympics stands for.

“They represent the thousands of Special Olympics families that support their children in not just competition, but everyday life,” Roberts said. “These families are the heart and soul of Special Olympics.”