Special Olympics Florida Delegates Make Virtual Visit to Capitol Hill to Advocate for Inclusion and Need for Critical Funding
Special Olympics athletes, organization leaders, and supporters from across the country met virtually with lawmakers on February 9 and 10, as part the 20th annual “Capitol Hill Day.” It included delegates from across the country advocating for people with intellectual disabilities.
Special Olympics Florida was represented by Duval County Athlete Leader Robbie Culliton, Special Olympics Florida Senior Vice President for Development Erin Kozlowski, and Special Olympics Florida Manager of Program Support and Employee Relations Mary Esther Romano. This is Robbie’s second time meeting with lawmakers. He was also part of Capitol Hill Day in 2020.
Robbie and Erin met with staff members from the offices of Rep. John Rutherford, Rep. Charlie Crist, Rep. Bill Posey, Rep. Ted Deutch, Rep. Lois Frankel, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, and Sen. Marco Rubio.
Robbie, who works at VyStar Credit Union, has been a Special Olympics Florida athlete since 2006. He competes in golf, football, and basketball and has won five gold medals and three silver medals. Robbie says Special Olympics Florida has helped him stay healthy and develop his confidence.
“Robbie is an impressive advocate for Special Olympics Florida and our mission of inclusion,” Erin said. “He did a spectacular job describing to lawmakers the importance of creating a world that respects and values people with intellectual disabilities.”