Cabinet Proclaims Sept. 25 as Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day

Gov. Charlie Crist and the Cabinet voted on Tuesday that Sept. 25 will be designated Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day in honor of the founder of the Special Olympics. The measure was introduced by Agricultural and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson.

"On behalf of the 15,000 athletes of Special Olympics Florida, we want to thank the governor, Cabinet and state Legislature for recognizing the life, work and impact of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, said Monty Castevens who heads up the Special Olympics in Florida. She believed in the potential and possibilities for people with disabilities: that they compete, participate, feel empowered and be included. She was determined to change the world for people with intellectual disabilities, and she did. We're inviting all Floridians to carry on her legacy by joining us in celebrating this first annual Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day."

Shriver was a member of the Kennedy family, the sister of former President John F. Kennedy, former U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy and former U.S. Sen. Teddy Kennedy. She was married to Amb. Sargent Shriver, best known for his stints heading up the Peace Corps and the War on Poverty as well as unsuccessful bids at higher office as George McGoverns running mate in 1972 and a failed bid at the Democratic presidential nomination in 1976. Her children include Mayor Bobby Shriver of Santa Monica, Calif.; California First Lady Maria Shriver who is married to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger; Special Olympics CEO Timothy Shriver; Mark Shriver of Save the Children; and Floridian Anthony Shriver who works for Best Buddies and considered running for governor back in 2006 and earlier this year.