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≡ SPOTLIGHT ≡
“Resolved, That Congress –
“(1) recognizes and commemorates the 40th anniversary of the LA84 Foundation and of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California, honors the impact of the LA84 Foundation over the last 40 years and honors the athletes of Team USA and the organizers of the Games for their achievements, and celebrates the enduring legacy of these Games, which continue to inspire advancements in sports, technology, equity, and global unity; and
“(2) celebrates the LA84 Foundation and the city of Los Angeles for its enduring contributions to the Olympic movement, its leadership in sports diplomacy and play equity, and its ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive and equitable society through sport, arts, and culture.”
That’s from House Resolution 1610 introduced by Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-California) on 6 December, whose 37th Congressional District covers the mid-city area which is home to the LA84 Foundation on Adams Boulevard.
The Resolution text as introduced includes a well-researched, 22-point description of both the Games and the work of the LA84 Foundation, which was granted a 40% share of the financial surplus of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, to serve youth in the greater Los Angeles area through sports. The list of “Whereas” recitals included:
● “Whereas the city of Los Angeles had the distinct honor of hosting the XXIII Olympiad from July 28 to August 12, 1984, marking a transformative moment in the history of international sports, media, and technology, setting a new standard for future Olympic events, and immortalizing a defining moment in Olympic history and in the history of Los Angeles.”
● “Whereas this entrepreneurial spirit and strategic foresight not only ensured the financial viability of the Games, but also laid the foundation for the sustainable growth of future sporting events such as the upcoming 2026 World Cup, 2026 NBA All-Star Game, 2027 Super Bowl LXI, and 2028 Olympic Games, all hosted in Los Angeles.”
● “Whereas the achievements of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games are inextricably linked to the contributions of thousands of volunteers, community leaders, local businesses, and public officials who worked together to ensure its success, highlighting the strength and unity of the people of Los Angeles.”
● “Whereas the LA84 Foundation is celebrating 40 years of impact as a legacy of the 1984 Olympic Games, as the LA84 Foundation was founded with a portion of the financial surplus from the 1984 Games to provide access to sport and play to kids by investing in local communities.”
● “Whereas the LA84 Foundation has supported 4,000,000 youth, trained 200,000 coaches, built or refurbished 400 fields, pools, and courts, and funded 2,500 nonprofit partners over the last 4 decades, continuing to remove barriers and expand resources to ensure all young people have access to the transformative power of sports, play, and movement regardless of their background.”
● “Whereas the LA84 Foundation has supported youth programming in the 8 southern California counties of Los Angeles, Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.”
There were a lot more, including a reference to the important and under-appreciated LA84 Foundation Digital Library, a crucial Olympic Movement resource for casual and professional researchers alike.
The resolution was introduced by Kamlager-Dove with 26 co-sponsors, all from the California delegation; she said in a statement:
“The 1984 Olympic Games not only promoted cultural exchange through sports diplomacy, but also left a lasting impact by creating the LA84 Foundation, an organization that invests in youth sports programs and public education in underserved communities.
“The ’84 Olympics showcased the strength of diversity and the enduring power of sports by bringing the world together through healthy competition, something we can all appreciate in these increasingly divided times. I am proud to introduce this resolution that celebrates LA84’s success and ongoing efforts to build a more just, inclusive society through arts, culture, and sports.”
H.Res. 1610 was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs for consideration.
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