Sargent Shriver 1915-2011
As an international lawyer and administrator, ambassador and an advocate for the poor and powerless, Sargent Shriver compiled an unparalleled record of public service at every tier, from the local level to the world community. For Special Olympics, Sargent Shriver was a leader during a time of strong international growth, a push that culminated in the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.
A Special Olympics Pioneer
Sargent Shriver was involved with Special Olympics since its founding in 1968 by his wife, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. In 1984, he took on the role of President of Special Olympics, and later, in 1990, became Chairman of the Special Olympics International Board of Directors. After leaving the Board in 1996, he remained involved as Chairman of the Board Emeritus.
He may be best known as an organizer of the Peace Corps, but to Special Olympics, which is devoted to causes important to people with intellectual disabilities, he holds a cherished spot in the movement's history.
During his tenure, the international organization greatly expanded its presence and activities in the Far East, Middle East and the nations of the former Soviet Union.
The expansion was celebrated in the World Games held in China in 2007. It was at once spectacular--the biggest and grandest World Games to date for Special Olympics--and meaningful, as Special Olympics' programs in China have continued to expand.
A Distinguished History
A graduate of Yale University and Yale Law School, Robert Sargent Shriver served in the U.S. Navy for five years before ending his military career as lieutenant commander. After ending his military career, Shriver worked briefly as an editorial assistant at Newsweek magazine before joining the staff of Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy as manager of the Chicago Merchandise Mart. Later, he participated in the formation of some of the programs developed and supported by the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation.
During his long and prestigious career, Shriver:
- Served as president of the Chicago Board of Education (1955-60)
- Worked as a political and organization coordinator in the Wisconsin and West Virginia primaries for Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kennedy (1960)
- Served as the organizer and first Director of the Peace Corps, where he developed volunteer activities in more than 50 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America (1961-1966)
- Served as the first Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity under U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson (1964-68)
- Created VISTA, Head Start, Community Action, Foster Grandparents, Job Corps, Legal Services, Indian and Migrant Opportunities and Neighborhood Health Services (1964-1968)
- Served as Special Assistant to President Johnson (1965-1968)
- Served as U.S. Ambassador to France (1968-1970)
- Served as Chairman of Congressional Leadership for the Future, traveling to 29 U.S. states to gain support for 89 Democratic candidates for the House and Senate (1970)
- Named a Partner in the law firm of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobson, specializing in international law and foreign affairs (1970)
- Nominated by the Democratic Party as a candidate for Vice President with Senator George McGovern (1972)
- Embarked on a nationwide Lecture tour "Co-Existence and Common Existence" of the USSR at the invitation of the Soviet government (1975)
- Inaugurated the Kennedy Institute of Ethics "Trialogue" to foster discussions between leaders of Christian, Jewish and Muslim Religions (1978)
- Appointed to the Rockefeller University Council, an organization devoted exclusively to research and graduate education in the biomedical and related sciences (1981)
- Elected President of Special Olympics (1984)
- Retired as Partner of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson; named of Counsel to FFHS&J (1986)
- Appointed Chairman of the Board of Special Olympics (1990)
- Stepped down as Chairman of Special Olympics and was appointed Chairman Emeritus in recognition of his long service and dedication to the Movement, serving as an ambassador of optimism and good will (2003)
Many Awards in His Lifetime
Shriver received numerous awards, including: Veteran of the Year, 1956; James J. Hooey Award, Catholic Conference for Interracial Justice Council of New York, 1958; Lay Churchman of the Year, 1963; National Father of the Year, 1964; Notre Dame Patriotism Award, 1965; National Brotherhood Award, 1966; Hannah G. Solomon Award, National Council of Jewish Women, 1972; the Order of the Smile, 1989; Franklin D. Roosevelt Freedom From Want Award, 1993; Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor, 1994; and the "Distinguished American Award" from the John F. Kennedy Library and Foundation for his inspiring work with the Peace Corps; Shriver Head Start Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, 2001.
Shriver also received more than 24 honorary degrees from universities around the world, including Yale University, Brandeis University, Boston College, Yeshiva University, the University of Liberia and Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.
Shriver was married to Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of Special Olympics, who died Aug. 11, 2009. Sargent Shriver is survived by his five children: Robert Sargent Shriver III; Maria Owings Shriver Schwarzenegger; Timothy Perry Shriver, who is CEO of Special Olympics International; Mark Kennedy Shriver; and Anthony Paul Kennedy Shriver.