[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 166 (Monday, November 17, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H11174-H11177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MR. SARGENT SHRIVER

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 299) honoring Mr. Sargent Shriver 
for his dedication and service to the United States of America, for his 
service in

[[Page H11175]]

the United States Navy, and for his lifetime of work as an ambassador 
for the poor and powerless citizens of the United States of America, 
and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 299

       Whereas from 1955 to 1960, Mr. Shriver served as president 
     of the Chicago Board of Education;
       Whereas Mr. Shriver earned the rank of Lieutenant Commander 
     after 5 years of service in the United States Navy;
       Whereas in 1960, Mr. Shriver began his career in public 
     service by working as a political and organization 
     coordinator for Senator John F. Kennedy in the Wisconsin and 
     West Virginia Presidential primaries;
       Whereas from 1961 to 1966, Mr. Shriver organized and 
     directed the Peace Corps, developing volunteer activities in 
     Africa, Asia, and Latin America;
       Whereas from 1964 to 1968, as the first Director of the 
     Office of Economic Opportunity during President Lyndon B. 
     Johnson's administration, Mr. Shriver helped establish Head 
     Start, VISTA, Community Action, Job Corps, Legal Services, 
     Foster Grandparents, Indian and Migrant Opportunities, and 
     Neighborhood Health Services;
       Whereas in 1964, Mr. Shriver was appointed by President 
     Johnson to serve as United States Ambassador to France;
       Whereas in 1972, Mr. Shriver was selected by the Democratic 
     party as the Vice Presidential candidate during Senator 
     George McGovern's Presidential campaign against President 
     Nixon;
       Whereas in 1984, Mr. Shriver served as president of the 
     Board of Directors of Special Olympics and was responsible 
     for the operation and international development of sports 
     programs around the world;
       Whereas in 1990, Mr. Shriver was appointed chairman of the 
     Board of Special Olympics;
       Whereas in 2003, Mr. Shriver was appointed chairman of the 
     Board Emeritus of Special Olympics and has held positions in 
     many associations, including the American Council on Germany, 
     the National Interreligious Task Force on Soviet Jewry, the 
     Navy League, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Knights of 
     Columbus;
       Whereas Mr. Shriver has been honored with numerous awards, 
     including the Distinguished American Award from the John F. 
     Kennedy Library and Foundation for his work with the Peace 
     Corps and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United 
     States' highest civilian honor; and
       Whereas Mr. Shriver has been honored with more than 24 
     honorary degrees from universities around the world, 
     including Yale University, Brandeis University, Boston 
     College, Yeshiva University, the University of Liberia, and 
     Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) honors Mr. Sargent Shriver for his dedication and 
     service to the United States of America, for his service in 
     the United States Navy, and for his lifetime of work acting 
     as an ambassador for the poor and powerless citizens of the 
     United States; and
       (2) recognizes Mr. Sargent Shriver for his steadfast 
     dedication and lifelong service to his country.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Ballance) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan).


                             General Leave

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H. Con. Res. 299, the resolution now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Tennessee?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 299 honors Mr. Sargent 
Shriver for his dedication and service to the United States of America. 
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed Sargent Shriver the first 
director of the United States Peace Corps, an organization that 
continues to help millions of people all over the globe today. Three 
years later, because of his success establishing the Peace Corps, 
Sargent Shriver was also named director of the Office of Economic 
Opportunity by President Lyndon Johnson. He ultimately resigned from 
the Peace Corps in 1966 to devote himself full time to the OEO. In 
1968, he was selected as our Ambassador to France. Ambassador Shriver 
joined the national Presidential ticket in 1972, when he became George 
McGovern's Vice Presidential running mate in that year.
  Mr. Speaker, Sargent Shriver lived a remarkable life committed to 
public service in the U.S. and around the world. I congratulate the 
gentleman from California for recognizing Mr. Sargent Shriver for his 
steadfast dedication and lifelong service to his country.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BALLANCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, Sargent Shriver is a humanitarian, an advocate, a public 
servant, and a leader whose contributions to his country and his fellow 
man are immeasurable. Leading President Johnson's War on Poverty, 
Shriver ushered in many of the great society programs aimed at helping 
Americans better their lives. A list of programs Sargent Shriver 
started, defended, and expanded, and which remain in place today, are 
the Peace Corps, which in 1961 he helped organize and became its first 
director, Head Start, Job Corps, Legal Services, Upward Bound, 
Community Action, Foster Grandparents, and VISTA. Along with his wife 
Eunice, the founder of Special Olympics International, Sargent Shriver 
has nurtured the Special Olympics since 1968.
  A man of stellar character and tireless energy, Shriver was raised on 
a farm in Westminster, Maryland. He worked his way through college, 
graduating from Yale University, cum laude, in 1938, and Yale Law 
School in 1941. Shriver served 5 years in the Navy during World War II 
ending his service as Lieutenant Commander.
  Sargent Shriver worked to unite common concerns of the citizens of 
America and of the world. In 2001, during a speech at the 40th 
Anniversary of the Peace Corps Vigil at the Lincoln Memorial, Shriver 
stated: ``Be servants of peace; work at home as you have worked abroad, 
humbly, persistently, intelligently. Weep with those who are sorrowful, 
care for those who are sick. Serve your wives, serve your husbands, 
serve your families, serve your neighbors, serve your citizens, serve 
your cities, serve the poor. Join others who serve. Serve, serve, 
serve. That's the end. That is the challenge. For in the end, it will 
be the servants who save us all.''
  Be servants of peace. This is an important directive not only for the 
Peace Corps, but for all of us who work to seek to make America and the 
world a better place, as Sargent Shriver has. We owe men and women like 
Sargent Shriver a debt of gratitude and this resolution serves to do 
that.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon).
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the proud sponsor of House Concurrent 
Resolution 299, honoring the life and accomplishments of my friend 
Sargent Shriver. I have another good friend here that I met on the 
Hill, that I have known for a number of years, who worked many years 
ago for Sargent Shriver, considered him a mentor, and is one that 
really got me interested in studying more about what Sargent Shriver 
has accomplished in this life. Just a short week after his 88th 
birthday, we honor this American Patriot for his accomplishments in 
life, for his compassion for humanity, for his philanthropy, for his 
generosity, and for his commitment to public service.
  As children, we all have visions and dreams of one day being able to 
change the world, to make a real difference to mankind, to be 
remembered. But in reality, it is difficult to find a person who has 
actually done so. As an ambassador and advocate for the poor and 
powerless, as a man of strong conviction, faith, and devotion, as a man 
who genuinely loves his country and all that it stands for, it is safe 
to say that Sargent Shriver truly has made a difference in the world.
  Born 88 years ago last Sunday, Sargent received both his 
undergraduate and law degrees from Yale University. He married his 
long-time sweetheart, Eunice Kennedy, and 50 years later, their love 
remains as strong as the day they met. His devotion to his wife and his 
five children, throughout his life, exemplify his character and 
represent the true American spirit.
  His love for family is followed closely by his love of country. As an 
international lawyer and administrator, Sargent Shriver has compiled an 
unparalleled record of public service at

[[Page H11176]]

every tier, from the local level to the world community. Sargent served 
as an attorney in the United States Navy during World War II and 
retired as a Lieutenant Commander after 5 years of service.
  After ending his military career, Mr. Shriver worked briefly as an 
editorial assistant at Newsweek magazine. In 1955, he began a 5-year 
tenure as president of the Chicago Board of Education, a position that 
would teach him the sense of patriotism and community activism, which 
he would carry throughout his life.
  In 1961, Mr. Shriver answered the call of duty again, this time by 
President John F. Kennedy. Sargent established and directed the newly-
founded organization called the Peace Corps, and helped organize 
operations around the world, from Africa and Asia to Latin America. The 
Peace Corps would eventually come to the aid of foreign communities 
needing medical, educational and technical assistance, while giving 
millions of Americans the opportunity share our culture and values and 
democratic way of life to those less fortunate around the world.
  After September 11, many Americans have been searching for their role 
in the war against terrorism, asking what can I do. President Bush has 
called on every citizen to devote a portion of their lives to service. 
Since September 2001, more than 3,000 potential Peace Corps volunteers 
have started applications and almost 7,000 men and women have contacted 
the Peace Corps to ask about volunteering. The Peace Corps estimates 
that there has been a 300 percent increase in volunteer interest. 
Sargent Shriver deserves the gratitude of every American for his 
contributions to this most noble of causes.
  As the true patriot he is, Sargent's commitment to those in need did 
not stop there. He served as the first director of the Office of 
Economic Opportunity under President Johnson. Using his principles as 
his guiding light, Sargent played the American Dream a reality for 
millions of Americans across America. And, today, at the young age of 
88, Sargent's mission of service continues. He was elected president of 
the Special Olympics in 1984 and was appointed Chairman of the Board 
Emeritus of Special Olympics earlier this year.
  Martin Luther King said, ``You ought to believe in something in life, 
and believe that thing so fervently that you will stand up for it until 
the end of your days.'' As a man of unflinching moral character, 
visionary leadership, and a compassion that sees no end, Sargent 
Shriver embodies the idealism that helped make the United States the 
world's cornerstone of freedom, opportunity, and democracy.
  Mr. Shriver once said that the politics of life is personal 
initiative, creativity, experience, and grace. Mr. Speaker, Sargent 
Shriver exemplifies the American spirit which represents the very best 
in humanity. His life is a celebration of democracy. I am proud to have 
sponsored this resolution and encourage all Members to follow the 
example set by my friend, Sargent Shriver.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to 
commend the gentleman from California for introducing this very 
worthwhile legislation, and I join him in commending Sargent Shriver on 
his career. He has led a life of public service that has set a great 
example for everyone in this Nation. He has tried to serve this Nation 
well.
  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in 
honoring Sargent Shriver for his years of outstanding service to our 
country. As a lawyer, government administrator, ambassador, and 
passionate spokesman for the poor, Mr. Shriver has devoted his life to 
the most vulnerable among us.
  Sargent Shriver is perhaps best known as the founder and first 
administrator of President John F. Kennedy's Peace Corps. In that 
position, Mr. Shriver organized Peace Corps operations in more than 50 
countries in the developing world.
  After founding the Peace Corps, Mr. Shriver dedicated himself to 
President Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society. Within the Great Society, 
Mr. Shriver founded Head Start; he created the Job Corps; he organized 
Legal Services; and he created Volunteers in Service to America.
  In time, Mr. Shriver's service to our country took on a diplomatic 
perspective when he went to Paris as our ambassador to France under 
both President Johnson and President Richard M. Nixon.
  Upon his return from Paris, Mr. Shriver threw himself into Democratic 
politics. During the 1970 election, he traveled the country on behalf 
of Democratic House and Senate candidates. And then in 1972 he was the 
Democratic nominee for vice president joining the ticket with my good 
friend George McGovern. In 1976, Mr. Shriver ran in the Democratic 
presidential primaries.
  Mr. Speaker, throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Mr. Shriver devoted 
himself to philanthropic causes. Among other things, he served on the 
Rockefeller University Council; he was elected president of the Special 
Olympics; he was later appointed Chairman of the Board of Special 
Olympics, Inc. Mr. Shriver went on to receive numerous awards and 
honorary degrees from colleges and universities.
  Mr. Speaker, this summer I had the opportunity to see and talk with 
Sargent Shriver in Massachusetts. He shared with me his dreams of a 
peaceful world and his hopes for a brighter future. And he looks great.
  Mr. Speaker, as we honor Mr. Shriver today, I believe it is important 
that we reflect on his life of service to our country and how we can 
learn from him. In a letter he composed about his fight with 
Alzheimer's disease, he wrote of the challenges we face as a country 
``to search for the pathways to peace . . . to overcome the horrors of 
poverty and neglect in this country and around the world. Indeed, Mr. 
Shriver's words should guide us each day.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in honoring 
Mr. Shriver for his decades of selfless service to our country and the 
world community.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, in 5 days, we will observe the 40th 
anniversary of one of the darkest moments in American history--the 
assassination of our 35th President, John F. Kennedy.
  President Kennedy stirred the imagination of our Nation and inspired 
a generation to ``ask not what your country can do for you--ask what 
you can do for your country.''
  Today, Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in honoring a man who 
answered that clarion call to a life in public service; a man who quite 
literally was a pillar in President Kennedy's New Frontier; and a man 
who is one of the greatest public servants in the history of our 
Nation.
  I, of course, am referring to Robert Sargent Shriver, Jr., who 
celebrated his 88th birthday one week ago.
  Sargent Shriver's devotion to this nation--and humanity--sets an 
example for all to emulate and a high bar that only a few will ever 
hope to exceed.
  A native of the State of Maryland, and in fact a member of one of the 
Free State's founding families, Sargent Shriver has dedicated his life 
to improving the lives of others.
  A few years ago, Sarge was asked to explain his lifelong commitment 
to public service. ``I just feel my faith,'' he said. ``A life of 
service is like catching a disease. In a family it's passed on. . . . 
Our five children are all involved in service. It's in their veins.''
  There is no doubt that this generation and future generations of 
Americans are the beneficiaries of his life of service.
  After graduating from Yale Law School in 1941, Sarge enlisted in the 
Navy, where he received the Navy Unit Citation and the Submarine Medal 
for service in both the Atlantic and Pacific.
  After World War II, Sarge accepted a position as assistant editor 
with Newsweek magazine. He later went into business with Joseph 
Kennedy, President Kennedy's father, and met Eunice, his wife of more 
than 50 years.
  Sarge than moved his family to Chicago, where he served on the Board 
of Education. In 1956, he was elected President of the Board, the 
youngest person to serve in such a position in any major American city.
  And in 1960, he joined the Presidential campaign of then-Senator 
Kennedy. After the election, he was asked by President Kennedy to 
create the Peace Corps and in March 1961 was appointed its founding 
Director.
  Sarge's vision for the Peace Corps was straight-forward and strong: 
``to permit Americans to participate directly, personally, and 
effectively in this struggle for human dignity.''
  In nearly 6 years at the Peace Corps, Sarge developed programs in 55 
countries with more than 14,500 volunteers. Forty-two years later, the 
solid foundation that he created has only strengthened and expanded. 
Today, 163,000 Peace Corps volunteers have served in 135 countries.
  However, while Sarge is rightly identified as the founding father of 
this great American idea, his contributions to the Peace Corps do not 
tell the whole story.
  Sarge also served as the first Director of the Office of Economic 
Opportunity under President Johnson. Then, between 1964 and 1968, he 
created VISTA, Head Start, Community Action, Foster Grandparents, Job 
Corps, Legal Services, Indian and Migrant Opportunities and 
Neighborhood Health Services.
  And, then, from 1968 to 1970, he served as U.S. Ambassador to France, 
before being

[[Page H11177]]

nominated in 1972 to serve as the Vice Presidential candidate on the 
Democratic Party's ticket with George McGovern.
  Few Americans have given so much to help so many. Yet, in the 
twilight of this incredible life, Sarge and Eunice continue to give.
  To call this record of public service exemplary is a vast 
understatement. Words cannot adequately convey the decency and humanity 
that has been brought into the lives of millions worldwide through the 
work of Sargent Shriver--international lawyer, ambassador, 
humanitarian. His life's work shall live on long after this and 
succeeding generations have passed the torch of public service to their 
progeny.
  ``Serve, serve, serve,'' Sarge was know to say, ``because in the end 
it is the servants who save us all.''
  Mr. Speaker, today, I honor a great American and wish him only the 
best, and I urge all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to 
support this Resolution recognizing Sargent Shriver.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 299.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________