Tribute to Robert Sargent Shriver

TRIBUTE TO ROBERT SARGENT SHRIVER -- (Extensions of Remarks - November 08, 2005)

* Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to honor Sargent Shriver on his 90th birthday today. It is fitting that we take this wonderful occasion to reflect on his life of service to our country.

* Martin Luther King once said, ``Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.'' Sargent Shriver embodies this ideal. A man of stellar character and tireless energy, Ambassador Shriver has been long recognized as a true humanitarian and a dedicated public servant.

* Ambassador Shriver received his bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1938. He also attended Yale Law School where he earned an L.L.B. in 1941. Shriver began his lifelong commitment to public service in the United States Navy during World War II.

* In 1961, Mr. Shriver answered the call of duty again when, at the request of President John F. Kennedy, he established and became Director of the Peace Corps. He helped organize operations around the world, from Africa and Asia to Latin America. Under his steadfast leadership, the Peace Corps provided medical, educational and technical assistance to foreign communities, while giving millions of Americans the opportunity to share our culture and values and democratic way of life with those less fortunate. Shriver's service to our country took a diplomatic turn when he served as our Ambassador to France from 1968 to 1970.

* Through his commitment to turning his ideals into reality, Sargent Shriver has inspired generations of young people to work to improve the lives of others through public service. As Director of the Peace Corps, Ambassador Shriver once stated, ``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.'' These words still ring as true today as they did when they were first spoken.

* While Ambassador Shriver is best known as the Founding Father of the Peace Corps, he has also been instrumental in the creation of many other programs which have the goal of helping Americans to better their lives. Among those programs are Head Start, Job Corps, Legal Services, Upward Bound, Community Action, Foster Grandparents, and the Special Olympics.

* In 1994, President Clinton recognized Ambassador Shriver's extraordinary commitment to public service by awarding him the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

* Mr. Speaker, I applaud Sargent Shriver's accomplishments and his undying commitment to humanitarian efforts and I wish him well on his birthday and in the years to come. Happy Birthday, Sargent Shriver. We salute you!

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