In The News

Tributes are paid to the founder of the Peace Corps

Tributes are paid to the founder of the Peace Corps

Tributes have been paid to Sargent Shriver who was a brother-in-law of President Kennedy and was the first director of the Peace Corps. He was 95.

Mr. Shriver had entered the Kennedy inner circle after marrying Eunice in 1953. 

He will be remembered for his work with the U.S. Peace Corps under President Kennedy and with the ‘War on Poverty’ initiative of President Johnston.

Mr. Shriver was the first director of the Peace Corps. 

In a statement the Corps paid tribute to him: “To those of us in the Peace Corps family, he served as our founder, friend and guiding light for the past 50 years.”

He did have political ambitions, but these were to remain unfulfilled.

In 1972 he ran as George McGovern’s vice-presidential running mate.

He later served as Ambassador to France.

President Obama said Mr. Shriver was “one of the brightest lights of the greatest generation.”

 

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