Sargent Shriver

One of America's greatest unsung leaders. Sargent Shriver was not only George McGovern's running mate in the 1972 Presidential election, but also served at one time as the Ambassador to France (1968-1970). In addition, he was the first to head up the Peace Corps, served as the first director of the Office of Economic Opportunity and, as a special assistant to President Lyndon B. Johnson, created VISTA, Head Start, Community Action, Job Corps, Legal Services, Indian and Migrant Opportunities, and Neighborhood Health Services. Ambassador Shriver's wife, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, began the Special Olympics -- an international program of year-round sports training and athletic competition for more than one million children and adults with mental retardation. His children included newsperson Maria Shriver, producer Robert Shriver, Maryland state legislator Mark Shriver, Anthony Shriver - founder of Best Buddies, and Tim Shriver, President and CEO of the Special Olympics.