[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 23, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S194-S195]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING ROBERT ``SARGENT'' SHRIVER

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Robert ``Sargent'' 
Shriver, a role model, hero, and icon. An activist, attorney, and 
politician, Sargent Shriver has always led by example, driven by the 
desire to serve those less fortunate.
  Sargent Shriver's political career began in 1960, when he worked for 
his brother-in-law, Democratic Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy. 
Passionate about civil rights, Shriver was instrumental in connecting 
then-Senator Kennedy with Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. And when the 
newly elected President established the Peace Corps in 1961, Shriver 
became the new agency's first director. This organization, which 
promotes peace and international friendship, embodies Shriver's belief 
in public service by young people to help the poor and the uneducated 
abroad and at home. In less than 6 years, Shriver developed volunteer 
activities in more than 55 countries with more than 14,500 volunteers.
  In 1962, Sargent Shriver's wife Eunice Kennedy Shriver began ``Camp 
Shriver,'' a day camp for young people with physical and intellectual 
disabilities. ``Camp Shriver'' grew into the Special Olympics, of which 
Sargent Shriver later became president and chairman of the board. 
Special Olympics was built on Eunice and Sargent Shriver's shared 
dedication to expanding opportunities for disabled persons, and today 
brings athletic competition to 2.5 people in 165 countries.
  Shriver was presented with the Franklin D. Roosevelt Freedom from 
Want Award in 1993, a prestigious award that acknowledges a lifetime 
commitment to securing the basic needs of others. On August 8, 1994, 
President Bill Clinton recognized Sargent Shriver's lifetime in public 
service with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' 
highest civilian honor.
  Additionally, Sargent Shriver served as U.S. Ambassador to France and 
has directed several organizations including, Head Start, Job Corps, 
Community Action, Upward Bound, Foster Grandparents, and the National 
Center on Poverty. Today, Shriver lives in Maryland with his wife.
  To tell Shriver's life story to the next generation, Emmy award-
winning writer, producer and director Bruce Orenstein created a film 
entitled ``American Idealist: The Story of Sargent Shriver.'' The 
program, which

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aired on the Public Broadcasting Service this past Monday, January 21, 
2008, focuses on Shriver's visionary devotion to activism. By 
highlighting his role in the civil rights movement and the war on 
poverty, this powerful film will help spread Sargent Shriver's message 
of patriotic service.
  In closing, I extend my most sincere gratitude to Robert Sargent 
Shriver. As a result of this film, his legacy will continue to inspire 
future generations of Americans.

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