Recognizing The Easterseals/cai Volleyball Challenge And The Volleyball Ambassador, Penelope (penny) Pratz In The 20th Year Of Democrat And Republican Team Participation.
Summary
SCR 5 is a nonbinding Senate Concurrent Resolution that formally recognizes the Easterseals/CAI Volleyball Challenge and the event’s 2025 volleyball ambassador, Penelope “Penny” Pratz. The resolution highlights Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore’s long history of serving people with disabilities and their families, including children and adults receiving therapies, employment support, adult day services, caregiver services, and assistive technology. It also notes the organization’s fundraising success through the volleyball challenge and the long-running friendly competition between Delaware’s Democratic and Republican teams.
The resolution specifically celebrates the 44th year of the Volleyball Challenge and the 20th year of participation by Democrat and Republican teams, while acknowledging the more than $6.4 million raised since 2001 and the more than $70,298 raised by the legislative teams over the past 19 years. It also identifies Penny Pratz, a two-year-old receiving physical therapy and early childhood education through Easterseals, as the 2025 ambassador and extends the General Assembly’s gratitude to her and her family. The resolution further encourages both teams to field more elected officials than non-elected participants to preserve the integrity and fairness of the contest.
SCR 5 does not change Delaware statutory law or create regulatory obligations. Its legal effect is limited to expressing legislative recognition and support for a charitable event and the services provided by Easterseals. The measure primarily affects the General Assembly’s ceremonial calendar and public acknowledgment of a nonprofit organization serving people with disabilities, seniors, and families in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
The overall sentiment around the resolution is strongly positive and bipartisan. The bill’s sponsor list includes members from both parties, and the vote history shows unanimous Senate passage with 18 yeas and no nays. The tone of the resolution is celebratory and supportive, emphasizing community service, fundraising, and cross-party participation in a lighthearted annual event.
The only notable point of contention is minor and playful rather than substantive: the resolution states that Democrats and Republicans should field more elected officials than non-elected persons to uphold the contest’s integrity and ensure a fair outcome. Otherwise, there is no apparent policy dispute, and the measure appears to have broad bipartisan support centered on recognition of Easterseals’ charitable work and the volleyball challenge.
Impact
SCR 5 has no direct impact on state statutes, appropriations, or regulatory authority. It functions as a ceremonial resolution that publicly honors Easterseals/CAI’s Volleyball Challenge, recognizes a child ambassador, and expresses legislative appreciation for services provided to people with disabilities, seniors, and families. Its practical effect is symbolic support for a nonprofit fundraiser and increased public awareness of Easterseals’ programs.
Sentiment
The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive and bipartisan. The resolution is co-sponsored by legislators from both parties and passed the Senate unanimously, indicating broad support for the charitable event and for Easterseals’ mission. The language is celebratory, appreciative, and community-oriented, with no evidence of partisan disagreement over the resolution’s substance.
Contention
There is little substantive contention in SCR 5. The only mildly contentious element is the humorous directive that Democrats and Republicans should field more elected officials than non-elected persons to preserve the fairness of the volleyball contest. This appears to be a lighthearted internal point about the event rather than a legislative dispute. No opposition to the recognition of Easterseals, the ambassador, or the fundraiser is reflected in the bill text or vote record.
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