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Sargent Shriver, Peace Corps Founder, Dies at 95
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jan 18, 2011
Modified Jan 18, 2011
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By
Garth Johnston
Published Jan 18, 2011
Modified Jan 18, 2011
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Robert Sargent Shriver, the founding director of the Peace Corps, died today at age 95. However the Peace Corps isn't his only legacy by any means. The influential public servant—a member of the Kennedy clan who suffered from Alzheimer's in recent years—also helped in the creation of Head Start, VISTA and the Job Corps while running the War on Poverty for President Johnson and acted as Ambassador to France. To name a few of his credits.
President Obama this afternoon released the following statement about the 1972 Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate:
I was deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Sargent Shriver, one of the brightest lights of the greatest generation. Over the course of his long and distinguished career, Sarge came to embody the idea of public service. Of his many enduring contributions, he will perhaps best be remembered as the founding director of the Peace Corps, helping make it possible for generations of Americans to serve as ambassadors of goodwill abroad. His loss will be felt in all of the communities around the world that have been touched by Peace Corps volunteers over the past half century and all of the lives that have been made better by his efforts to address inequality and injustice here at home. My thoughts and prayers are with Robert, Maria, Tim, Mark, and Anthony, and the entire Shriver family during this sad time.
Shriver's wife, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, died in 2009.
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