Honoring Mr. Sargent Shriver for his dedication and service to the United States of America, for his service in the United States Navy, and for his lifetime of work as an ambassador for the poor and powerless citizens of the United States of America, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the proud sponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 299, honoring the life and accomplishments of my friend Sargent Shriver. I have another good friend here that I met on the Hill, that I have known for a number of years, who worked many years ago for Sargent Shriver, considered him a mentor, and is one that really got me interested in studying more about what Sargent Shriver has accomplished in this life. Just a short week after his 88th birthday, we honor this American Patriot for his accomplishments in life, for his compassion for humanity, for his philanthropy, for his generosity, and for his commitment to public service.

As children, we all have visions and dreams of one day being able to change the world, to make a real difference to mankind, to be remembered. But in reality, it is difficult to find a person who has actually done so. As an ambassador and advocate for the poor and powerless, as a man of strong conviction, faith, and devotion, as a man who genuinely loves his country and all that it stands for, it is safe to say that Sargent Shriver truly has made a difference in the world.

Born 88 years ago last Sunday, Sargent received both his undergraduate and law degrees from Yale University. He married his long-time sweetheart, Eunice Kennedy, and 50 years later, their love remains as strong as the day they met. His devotion to his wife and his five children, throughout his life, exemplify his character and represent the true American spirit.

His love for family is followed closely by his love of country. As an international lawyer and administrator, Sargent Shriver has compiled an unparalleled record of public service at

every tier, from the local level to the world community. Sargent served as an attorney in the United States Navy during World War II and retired as a Lieutenant Commander after 5 years of service.

After ending his military career, Mr. Shriver worked briefly as an editorial assistant at Newsweek magazine. In 1955, he began a 5-year tenure as president of the Chicago Board of Education, a position that would teach him the sense of patriotism and community activism, which he would carry throughout his life.

In 1961, Mr. Shriver answered the call of duty again, this time by President John F. Kennedy. Sargent established and directed the newly- founded organization called the Peace Corps, and helped organize operations around the world, from Africa and Asia to Latin America. The Peace Corps would eventually come to the aid of foreign communities needing medical, educational and technical assistance, while giving millions of Americans the opportunity share our culture and values and democratic way of life to those less fortunate around the world.

After September 11, many Americans have been searching for their role in the war against terrorism, asking what can I do. President Bush has called on every citizen to devote a portion of their lives to service. Since September 2001, more than 3,000 potential Peace Corps volunteers have started applications and almost 7,000 men and women have contacted the Peace Corps to ask about volunteering. The Peace Corps estimates that there has been a 300 percent increase in volunteer interest. Sargent Shriver deserves the gratitude of every American for his contributions to this most noble of causes.

As the true patriot he is, Sargent's commitment to those in need did not stop there. He served as the first director of the Office of Economic Opportunity under President Johnson. Using his principles as his guiding light, Sargent played the American Dream a reality for millions of Americans across America. And, today, at the young age of 88, Sargent's mission of service continues. He was elected president of the Special Olympics in 1984 and was appointed Chairman of the Board Emeritus of Special Olympics earlier this year.

Martin Luther King said, ``You ought to believe in something in life, and believe that thing so fervently that you will stand up for it until the end of your days.'' As a man of unflinching moral character, visionary leadership, and a compassion that sees no end, Sargent Shriver embodies the idealism that helped make the United States the world's cornerstone of freedom, opportunity, and democracy.

Mr. Shriver once said that the politics of life is personal initiative, creativity, experience, and grace. Mr. Speaker, Sargent Shriver exemplifies the American spirit which represents the very best in humanity. His life is a celebration of democracy. I am proud to have sponsored this resolution and encourage all Members to follow the example set by my friend, Sargent Shriver.

Mr. Speaker, in 5 days, we will observe the 40th anniversary of one of the darkest moments in American history--the assassination of our 35th President, John F. Kennedy.

President Kennedy stirred the imagination of our Nation and inspired a generation to ``ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.''

Today, Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in honoring a man who answered that clarion call to a life in public service; a man who quite literally was a pillar in President Kennedy's New Frontier; and a man who is one of the greatest public servants in the history of our Nation.

I, of course, am referring to Robert Sargent Shriver, Jr., who celebrated his 88th birthday one week ago.

Sargent Shriver's devotion to this nation--and humanity--sets an example for all to emulate and a high bar that only a few will ever hope to exceed.

A native of the State of Maryland, and in fact a member of one of the Free State's founding families, Sargent Shriver has dedicated his life to improving the lives of others.

A few years ago, Sarge was asked to explain his lifelong commitment to public service. ``I just feel my faith,'' he said. ``A life of service is like catching a disease. In a family it's passed on. . . . Our five children are all involved in service. It's in their veins.''

There is no doubt that this generation and future generations of Americans are the beneficiaries of his life of service.

After graduating from Yale Law School in 1941, Sarge enlisted in the Navy, where he received the Navy Unit Citation and the Submarine Medal for service in both the Atlantic and Pacific.

After World War II, Sarge accepted a position as assistant editor with Newsweek magazine. He later went into business with Joseph Kennedy, President Kennedy's father, and met Eunice, his wife of more than 50 years.

Sarge than moved his family to Chicago, where he served on the Board of Education. In 1956, he was elected President of the Board, the youngest person to serve in such a position in any major American city.

And in 1960, he joined the Presidential campaign of then-Senator Kennedy. After the election, he was asked by President Kennedy to create the Peace Corps and in March 1961 was appointed its founding Director.

Sarge's vision for the Peace Corps was straight-forward and strong: ``to permit Americans to participate directly, personally, and effectively in this struggle for human dignity.''

In nearly 6 years at the Peace Corps, Sarge developed programs in 55 countries with more than 14,500 volunteers. Forty-two years later, the solid foundation that he created has only strengthened and expanded. Today, 163,000 Peace Corps volunteers have served in 135 countries.

However, while Sarge is rightly identified as the founding father of this great American idea, his contributions to the Peace Corps do not tell the whole story.

Sarge also served as the first Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity under President Johnson. Then, between 1964 and 1968, he created VISTA, Head Start, Community Action, Foster Grandparents, Job Corps, Legal Services, Indian and Migrant Opportunities and Neighborhood Health Services.

And, then, from 1968 to 1970, he served as U.S. Ambassador to France, before being

nominated in 1972 to serve as the Vice Presidential candidate on the Democratic Party's ticket with George McGovern.

Few Americans have given so much to help so many. Yet, in the twilight of this incredible life, Sarge and Eunice continue to give.

To call this record of public service exemplary is a vast understatement. Words cannot adequately convey the decency and humanity that has been brought into the lives of millions worldwide through the work of Sargent Shriver--international lawyer, ambassador, humanitarian. His life's work shall live on long after this and succeeding generations have passed the torch of public service to their progeny.

``Serve, serve, serve,'' Sarge was know to say, ``because in the end it is the servants who save us all.''

Mr. Speaker, today, I honor a great American and wish him only the best, and I urge all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this Resolution recognizing Sargent Shriver.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in honoring Sargent Shriver for his years of outstanding service to our country. As a lawyer, government administrator, ambassador, and passionate spokesman for the poor, Mr. Shriver has devoted his life to the most vulnerable among us.

Sargent Shriver is perhaps best known as the founder and first administrator of President John F. Kennedy's Peace Corps. In that position, Mr. Shriver organized Peace Corps operations in more than 50 countries in the developing world.

After founding the Peace Corps, Mr. Shriver dedicated himself to President Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society. Within the Great Society, Mr. Shriver founded Head Start; he created the Job Corps; he organized Legal Services; and he created Volunteers in Service to America.

In time, Mr. Shriver's service to our country took on a diplomatic perspective when he went to Paris as our ambassador to France under both President Johnson and President Richard M. Nixon.

Upon his return from Paris, Mr. Shriver threw himself into Democratic politics. During the 1970 election, he traveled the country on behalf of Democratic House and Senate candidates. And then in 1972 he was the Democratic nominee for vice president joining the ticket with my good friend George McGovern. In 1976, Mr. Shriver ran in the Democratic presidential primaries.

Mr. Speaker, throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Mr. Shriver devoted himself to philanthropic causes. Among other things, he served on the Rockefeller University Council; he was elected president of the Special Olympics; he was later appointed Chairman of the Board of Special Olympics, Inc. Mr. Shriver went on to receive numerous awards and honorary degrees from colleges and universities.

Mr. Speaker, this summer I had the opportunity to see and talk with Sargent Shriver in Massachusetts. He shared with me his dreams of a peaceful world and his hopes for a brighter future. And he looks great.

Mr. Speaker, as we honor Mr. Shriver today, I believe it is important that we reflect on his life of service to our country and how we can learn from him. In a letter he composed about his fight with Alzheimer's disease, he wrote of the challenges we face as a country ``to search for the pathways to peace . . . to overcome the horrors of poverty and neglect in this country and around the world. Indeed, Mr. Shriver's words should guide us each day.

Again, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleagues in honoring Mr. Shriver for his decades of selfless service to our country and the world community.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my colleagues in support of H. Con. Res. 299, a resolution honoring Mr. Sargent Shriver for his dedication and service to the United States of America, for his service in the United States Navy, and for his lifetime of work as an ambassador for the poor and powerless citizens of the United States of America. Growing up with a role model like my uncle, Sargent Shriver, doesn't allow much room for failure. He has served our nation in countless ways and on multiple fronts. When he retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander, he could have ended his public service career then, and been proud of his accomplishments. But he chose to continue to serve our nation when President Kennedy appointed him the first Director of the Peace Corps. Sargent Shriver exceeded expectations for the initiative by developing volunteer programs in more than 50 countries around the world.

Sargent Shriver and his wife, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, went on to establish the Special Olympics during the 1960's, when those with mental retardation were often institutionalized because of a lack of understanding of their needs and abilities. The Shrivers recognized the importance of challenging these individuals with physical activities, when others simply cast them aside. The Special Olympics brought courage to their lives and taught them the value of teamwork, and proved that people with mental retardation were strong and caring individuals who could be successful and independent. The Special Olympics has grown exponentially under the Shrivers direction. When given the position of president of the Board of Directors of the Special Olympics, Sargent Shriver, again, reached out to other nations to bring together people of all nationalities to compete in the games. In 1985, athletes from 14 countries were represented at the Special Olympics Winter Games in Utah, and today, more than 1 million athletes participate in the Special Olympics in over 150 countries.

I hesitate to end my remarks with this short list of what Sargent Shriver has accomplished in his life. Unfortunately, I am not sure if there is anyway to accurately reflect the number of lives he has touched as our nation's ambassador, through Head Start and the Special Olympics, to name a few. But I am sure that even at the age of 88, he will continue to add accomplishments to this list of public service, and he will continue to touch the lives of people around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 299) honoring Mr. Sargent Shriver for his dedication and service to the United States of America, for his service in

the United States Navy, and for his lifetime of work as an ambassador for the poor and powerless citizens of the United States of America, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H. Con. Res. 299, the resolution now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 299 honors Mr. Sargent Shriver for his dedication and service to the United States of America. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed Sargent Shriver the first director of the United States Peace Corps, an organization that continues to help millions of people all over the globe today. Three years later, because of his success establishing the Peace Corps, Sargent Shriver was also named director of the Office of Economic Opportunity by President Lyndon Johnson. He ultimately resigned from the Peace Corps in 1966 to devote himself full time to the OEO. In 1968, he was selected as our Ambassador to France. Ambassador Shriver joined the national Presidential ticket in 1972, when he became George McGovern's Vice Presidential running mate in that year.

Mr. Speaker, Sargent Shriver lived a remarkable life committed to public service in the U.S. and around the world. I congratulate the gentleman from California for recognizing Mr. Sargent Shriver for his steadfast dedication and lifelong service to his country.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. McKeon).

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to commend the gentleman from California for introducing this very worthwhile legislation, and I join him in commending Sargent Shriver on his career. He has led a life of public service that has set a great example for everyone in this Nation. He has tried to serve this Nation well.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.