[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 18, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ON THE PASSING OF EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER, THE CREATOR OF THE SPECIAL 
                                OLYMPICS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 18, 2009

  Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the passing of a 
Great American, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Her life and her times were a 
lesson to us all about a life well lived. From mother to matriarch, 
hers was a life of love, nurturing and giving. The creator of the 
Special Olympics. A woman who led by example, and of great faith, who 
ever throughout her lifetime, asked the question, ``Have you done 
enough?'' I ask that this poem penned by Albert Caswell in honor of her 
be placed in the Record.

                       But, Have We Done Enough?

     Sunrise, Sunset . . .
     All in these, the days of our lives that we have left!
     All in these the moments, that which so race . . . of which 
           lie before us in our life's face . . .
     Only, so much time to find . . . all in one's lifetime, that 
           which our world to grace!
     To give to this our world, all in what we have done . . .
     To make our lives burn bright, burn bright like the morning 
           sun!
     To ask that question, ``have we done enough?''
     A Mother, A Wife, A Sister, A Matriarch . . .
     A Champion for others, as was Eunice's most splendid part!
     For she was such a woman of faith!
     Such a woman of heart!
     As to all of these, Eunice could not so give enough, her art!
     As to all she so asked as such!
     But, have you done enough?
     As a Champion For Children, as her heart was so filled in!
     Creating The Special Olympics, a work of art to help all 
           hearts mend!
     For from a beautiful Rose, once came a flower so beautiful to 
           help hearts win . . .
     So bright, a giver of light . . . a true lover of life!
     As above great American Women she so towers, as we look back 
           upon her hours . . .
     For she never asked more, than what she was willing to give 
           herself . . .
     For in all hearts, she always saw good . . . as how a life 
           should be lived as felt!
     As someone, who so came from such heartache and pain . . .
     And yet, somehow in her fine heart . . .
     Her Profiles In Courage . . . still remained!
     Showing us all, her light!
     But, have we done enough?
     To make our world burn bright?
     To Heaven now our sweet child, rise . . . looking into our 
           Lord's eyes . . .
     But, have we done enough?

                          ____________________