Robert Sargent Shriver Jr: ‘Dear Special Olympics Family’

“Dear Special Olympics Family, It is with great sadness that I report that Robert Sargent ‘Sarge’ Shriver Jr passed away on Wednesday,” said a statement on the Sargent Shrivers website. The statement further added, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Tim, Linda and the extended Shriver family at this difficult time. Shriver, husband to our founder, the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, was Chairman of the Board Emeritus for Special Olympics and served as president of the Special Olympics movement from 1984 through 1996. Sargent Shriver also served Special Olympics as Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1990 to 2003.

As an international advocate, 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 true leader for our Movement, helping us establish and build Programs in the far corners of the globe.  He might be best known as an organizer of the Peace Corps, but to Special Olympics, he holds a cherished spot in our history and our hearts. Today I ask you to please remember in your thoughts, the life of a man who saw the athletes of Special Olympics as ambassadors for peace; a man who was able to transform the roots of violence and discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities by promoting Special Olympics throughout the world.

We will continue his legacy by providing opportunities for people and communities to unite in harmony through sport.  His legacy continues in our new class of Sargent Shriver International Global Messengers.

These Special Olympics athletes from around the world will continue to share his message of peace and unity with the world. I encourage you to visit the Sargent Shriver Peace Institute’s website at www.sargentshriver.org where you can read more about his life and impact on our movement. Peace to Sarge and our prayers again for the whole Shriver family.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th,  2011.