[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 172 (Sunday, November 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MR. SARGENT SHRIVER

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 17, 2003

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my 
colleagues in support of H. Con. Res. 299, a resolution honoring 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 as an ambassador for the poor and powerless citizens 
of the United States of America. Growing up with a role model like my 
uncle, Sargent Shriver, doesn't allow much room for failure. He has 
served our nation in countless ways and on multiple fronts. When he 
retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander, he could have ended 
his public service career then, and been proud of his accomplishments. 
But he chose to continue to serve our nation when President Kennedy 
appointed him the first Director of the Peace Corps. Sargent Shriver 
exceeded expectations for the initiative by developing volunteer 
programs in more than 50 countries around the world.
  Sargent Shriver and his wife, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, went on to 
establish the Special Olympics during the 1960's, when those with 
mental retardation were often institutionalized because of a lack of 
understanding of their needs and abilities. The Shrivers recognized the 
importance of challenging these individuals with physical activities, 
when others simply cast them aside. The Special Olympics brought 
courage to their lives and taught them the value of teamwork, and 
proved that people with mental retardation were strong and caring 
individuals who could be successful and independent. The Special 
Olympics has grown exponentially under the Shrivers direction. When 
given the position of president of the Board of Directors of the 
Special Olympics, Sargent Shriver, again, reached out to other nations 
to bring together people of all nationalities to compete in the games. 
In 1985, athletes from 14 countries were represented at the Special 
Olympics Winter Games in Utah, and today, more than 1 million athletes 
participate in the Special Olympics in over 150 countries.
  I hesitate to end my remarks with this short list of what Sargent 
Shriver has accomplished in his life. Unfortunately, I am not sure if 
there is anyway to accurately reflect the number of lives he has 
touched as our nation's ambassador, through Head Start and the Special 
Olympics, to name a few. But I am sure that even at the age of 88, he 
will continue to add accomplishments to this list of public service, 
and he will continue to touch the lives of people around the world.

                          ____________________