by Leslie Sundal
The cold February air in Washington, D.C. was unmistakable, but for the Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC) delegation, the warmth of purpose, connection, and shared mission carried them through three impactful days on Capitol Hill.
From February 9–11, athletes, volunteers, educators, and Unified partners from across the country gathered for the 2026 Special Olympics Capitol Hill Day, an annual advocacy event that places athletes’ voices at the center of conversations with lawmakers. The goal is simple yet profound: ensure that inclusive health, education, and community programs for people with intellectual disabilities remain a national priority.
Representing SOSC this year were four passionate delegates: Greg Kozlowski, Athlete Leader; Travis Stock-Tucker, Health Programs Volunteer; Valerie Ruiz, Educator, Unified Champion Schools partner, and SOSC Board of Directors member; and Jennel Fajardo, Unified Partner. Together, they carried the stories of thousands of athletes into congressional offices, reminding leaders that inclusion isn’t theoretical, it’s personal.
Their impact did not go unnoticed. “I am incredibly proud of our athletes and volunteers who represented Special Olympics Southern California on Capitol Hill with such passion and purpose,” said Kelly Pond, President and CEO of Special Olympics Southern California. “Their leadership and advocacy highlight the strength of our Southern California community and the powerful impact inclusion has when athletes’ voices are front and center.”
A Cold Welcome and a Warm Start
For Athlete Leader Greg Kozlowski, the trip got off to a brisk start. “They should have turned up the heat outside,” he joked. “It was cold!” But the weather did little to dampen his enthusiasm.
“It was fun and a great experience,” Greg said, reflecting on his time in the nation’s capital. One standout moment for him was the opportunity to speak directly with legislators and their staff about funding that supports Special Olympics programs nationwide. “Meeting new athlete leaders from around the country was huge,” he added, pointing to the sense of unity that defines Capitol Hill Day.
That unity was felt immediately, even before arriving in Washington, D.C.
An Olympic‑Level Sprint
For Travis Stock-Tucker, the trip began with an unexpected test of endurance. “It was an incredibly productive and memorable experience,” he said, “though it certainly started with some Olympic-level cardio.”
Travis and Greg found themselves sprinting across Los Angeles International Airport to catch their flight east. They made it, just in time, and that near miss quickly became one of the trip’s most memorable stories. “We almost missed it,” Travis laughed, “but we made it just in time to kick off the trip.”
It was a fitting start to a whirlwind experience that would move just as quickly once they reached Capitol Hill.
Advocacy in Action
Over the course of the three days, delegations held hundreds of face‑to‑face meetings with members of Congress and their staff. The conversations focused on securing continued federal support for Healthy Athletes, Unified Champion Schools, and initiatives that combat discrimination and expand access to inclusive education and healthcare.
While many meetings were with congressional staff, both Greg and Travis emphasized how welcoming and engaged those conversations were. “We mostly met with the staff members,” Greg shared, “and they were wonderful, as were the legislators we met.”
One particularly meaningful tradition during the meetings was the exchange of challenge coins. Each SOSC delegate presented coins to congressional offices as a symbol of respect and partnership. For Greg, a collector, the gesture was especially meaningful. “I gave each office a challenge coin,” he said, smiling, “and I received four from the meetings. I was really happy to add them to my collection.”
For Travis, one meeting stood out above the rest. “A huge highlight was meeting with Congressman Gil Cisneros from California,” he said. “It was a really special moment when he and Greg exchanged coins, a great gesture of mutual respect.” That moment captured the spirit of Capitol Hill Days: inclusive support, mutual understanding, and shared commitment to inclusion.
Building More Than Policy
Beyond the formal meetings, Capitol Hill Day is also about connection, between states, programs, and people who believe in the power of Special Olympics.
“Building relationships with other delegations and institutions was invaluable,” Travis reflected. “It gave us a much deeper understanding of the organization and a clearer perspective on why securing federal funding is so vital for our mission.”
Those connections extended beyond the Hill. Delegates found moments to decompress and bond, including an evening at Topgolf and time spent together at a beautiful hotel that quickly became a hub for shared stories and laughter. On their final day, the team even squeezed in a visit to the National Air and Space Museum. “That was a real treat,” Greg said.
Why It Matters
Special Olympics Capitol Hill Day exists for one powerful reason: to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities are seen, heard, and supported at the highest levels of government. By sharing personal stories, athletes help break down stigma, demonstrate the real‑world impact of inclusive programs, and advocate for policies that strengthen communities nationwide.
Seeing inclusive support firsthand left a lasting impression on the SOSC delegation. “It was a whirlwind of a trip,” Travis said, “but seeing that government-wide support for Special Olympics in person was truly inspiring.”
As the delegation returned home, coins exchanged, connections made, and stories shared, the impact of those three days continued to ripple outward. On Capitol Hill, SOSC athletes and advocates didn’t just ask for support; They showed, through their voices and experiences, exactly why inclusion is worth fighting for.
