TO CONGRATULATE MR. JUSTIN TATE ON HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

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State of Arkansas 1
95th General Assembly 2
Fiscal Session, 2026 SR 26 3
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By: Senator J. Petty 5
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SENATE RESOLUTION 8
TO CONGRATULATE MR. JUSTIN TATE ON HIS 9
ACCOMPLISHMENTS. 10
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Subtitle 13
TO CONGRATULATE MR. JUSTIN TATE ON HIS 14
ACCOMPLISHMENTS. 15
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WHEREAS, Mr. Justin Tate of Elkins, Arkansas, is an accomplished 17
Special Olympian and athlete; and 18
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WHEREAS, the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games are set to begin on June 20
20, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and 21
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WHEREAS, since its founding in 1981 by Kansas Police Chief Richard 23
LaMunyon, the Law Enforcement Torch Run has grown to be the largest grass-24
roots fundraiser for the Special Olympics; and 25
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WHEREAS, since 1987, as part of the Final Leg program of the Law 27
Enforcement Torch Run, law enforcement officers and Special Olympians from 28
around the world have been chosen to represent their country, state, and 29
local Law Enforcement Torch Run organization as a "Guardian of the Flame" and 30
carry the Special Olympics Torch, known as the "Flame of Hope", to the 31
Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics World Games and Special Olympics 32
USA Games; and 33
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WHEREAS, the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run is the 35
culmination of long periods of training, fundraising, awareness efforts, and 36
SR26

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preparation for the Special Olympics, and is the final torch relay of the 1
Special Olympics, in which the Guardians of the Flame bring the Flame of Hope 2
to light the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics games, 3
and symbolizes the official start of competition; and 4
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WHEREAS, there may only be up to eight (8) Special Olympians chosen as 6
Guardians of the Flame for a specific Special Olympics; and 7
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WHEREAS, Mr. Tate was chosen to participate as a Guardian of the Flame 9
in the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the 2026 Special 10
Olympics USA Games; and 11
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WHEREAS, Mr. Tate was chosen to be a Guardian of the Flame due to his 13
dedication and passion to supporting Special Olympics Arkansas, as well as 14
his conditioning and ability to run up to five (5) miles per day; and 15
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WHEREAS, in his role as a Guardian of the Flame, Mr. Tate will carry 17
the Flame of Hope to the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics USA 18
Games; and 19
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WHEREAS, the duties of Guardian of the Flame will begin for Mr. Tate on 21
May 30, 2026, and Mr. Tate will run across the United States until the 22
beginning of the Opening Ceremonies at the Special Olympics USA Games on June 23
20, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and 24
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NOW THEREFORE, 26
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE 27
STATE OF ARKANSAS: 28
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THAT the Senate congratulate Mr. Justin Tate for his selection as a 30
Guardian of the Flame of the Final Leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, and 31
laud Mr. Justin Tate for his dedication and passion to supporting Special 32
Olympics Arkansas. 33
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT upon adoption, a copy of this resolution be 35
presented to Mr. Justin Tate by the Secretary of the Senate. 36