| 5/4/2006 |
Murphy, Montalbano announce President Clinton will be keynote speaker at 2006 World Scholar Athlete Games
In a State House news conference held yesterday, Speaker of the House William J. Murphy (D-Dist. 26, West Warwick, Coventry, Warwick) and President of the Senate Joseph A. Montalbano (D-Dist. 17, Lincoln, North Providence, Pawtucket) announced that former President William Jefferson Clinton will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2006 World Scholar Athlete Games to be held this summer in Rhode Island.
Joined by Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty; Attorney General Patrick Lynch; Dan Doyle, executive director of the Institute for International Sport and Russell Hogg, CEO of Mastercard, Speaker Murphy and President Montalbano lauded President Clinton for his support of the World Scholar Athlete Games.
“Understanding President Clinton’s extraordinary commitment to making our world a better place, I am completely confident that he will consider his visit to the Games as one of the most rewarding ever,” said Speaker Murphy.
“It is unprecedented to have a United States President speak at this type of event,” said President Montalbano. “The prestige that the World Scholar Athlete Games and the Institute for International Sport has brought to the State of Rhode Island will only be enhanced by his appearance and we are honored to have him.”
The General Assembly included $300,000 in this year’s budget to support the International Institute of Sport, an organization that promotes goodwill and friendship among players and teams across the globe. The funds help to dramatically offset the cost of involvement in the games for students, and help open the door to those who, without assistance, would not have the privilege to participate.
The World Scholar Athlete Games bring together student scholar athletes from more than 160 countries and all 50 states to celebrate peace through sport and culture. The Games feature such athletic events as swimming, volleyball, basketball and soccer, with teams being comprised of athletes from many countries. Cultural events include poetry, dance, cooking, art and music. This year’s Games, to be held June 24-July 2 on the URI campus and in Newport, mark the 20th anniversary of the Institute for International Sport. President Clinton is scheduled to deliver the keynote address to the student scholar athletes on Monday, June 26th.
For more information, contact:
Shana Mancinho, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2457 |
LEGISLATIVE INFO
