[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 172 (Sunday, November 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2437-E2438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING SARGENT SHRIVER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 21, 2003

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the dedication, spirit, 
and accomplishments of my good friend Sargent Shriver who celebrated 
his 88th birthday last week. I met Sarge while I was in Peace Corps 
Training in Questa, New Mexico in 1963. He was a hero figure: handsome, 
smart, engaging, and the President's brother-in-law. We were all so 
proud of being chosen to be in one of the

[[Page E2438]]

early waves of the Peace Corps. President John F. Kennedy asked our 
nation's citizens to ``ask not what this country could do for you, but 
what you can do for your country.'' Sargent Shriver was a living 
demonstration of the way to serve and the spirit it took to launch the 
new and bold idea of the Peace Corps.
  Peace Corps began under Sargent Shriver's directorship on March 1, 
1961. Today, over 170,000 Americans, including six members of Congress, 
have served in 136 countries. Many volunteers who served under Sargent 
Shriver have become Ambassadors, Presidents of Universities, and 
Chairmen of major corporations.
  Sargent Shriver began his public service in the United States Navy 
where he earned the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Following his naval 
career, Sargent Shriver dedicated himself to the societal problems 
facing the youth of the country--organizing the National Conference on 
Prevention and Control of Juvenile Delinquency in Washington and 
serving as the President of the Chicago Board of Education. He 
continued to foster quality social programming through the creation of 
VISTA, Head Start, Community Action, Foster Grandparents, Job Corps, 
Legal Services, Indian and Migrant Opportunities and Neighborhood 
Health Services. In addition, Sargent Shriver has served on the Board 
of many humanitarian organizations, including as President of the 
Special Olympics
  Sargent Shriver's dedication to living his ideals, and making them a 
reality has inspired subsequent generations to do the same. His 
invaluable contributions to the formation and longevity of the Peace 
Corps has brought hope to people around the world and has educated 
generations of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, such as myself, in the 
necessity and value of public service. The Peace Corps continues to be 
a means for understanding the cultures, and languages of the world 
while recognizing the differences between different countries.
  The vision of peace that Director Shriver has committed so much time 
and energy to has only become more important during this time of war. 
Director Shriver once wisely said, ``I say what our nation needs now is 
a call to peace and service--peace and service on a scale we have 
scarcely begun to imagine.'' Mr. Speaker, today I honor Sargent Shriver 
and wish him the very best in the coming year.

                          ____________________