[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 19, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING SARGENT SHRIVER
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the
gentleman from California (Mr. Garamendi) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, Members, yesterday we lost a great
American, a real hero when Sargent Shriver passed away.
My wife, Patti, and I were honored to be able to call Sarge our
friend. He was a great mentor to both of us. Our lives were shaped,
inspired, improved by the extraordinary vision and talent of Sargent
Shriver when he built the Peace Corps.
We had the awesome experience to join the Peace Corps in its third
year and to be assigned to Ethiopia. Were it not for Shriver's
leadership, this iconic and pure American program would never exist.
Sargent Shriver became our close friend as the years went by. With
each meeting, our love for Sarge grew, as did our respect for his
endless enthusiasm and desire to improve the status of all.
In the 1990s, Patti had the opportunity to work closely with Sargent
Shriver to spread the Peace Corps to Eastern Europe, Asia, and South
Africa. His enthusiasm once again motivated Americans to join the Peace
Corps and serve men, women, and children in every part of the globe.
America and the world will miss this compassionate and talented man.
Patti and I send our prayers and condolences to his family, and we
will personally miss this amazing individual.
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