I was saddened to learn yesterday that Sargent Shriver had died. A great humanitarian and brilliant public servant, he will be sorely missed. Fortunately, there are people around the world who will continue the work against poverty and injustice for which he is so well known.

One of the many organizations Sarge was instrumental in founding is the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law in Chicago. While working there between 1996 and 2008, I had the privilege of meeting Sarge when he attended and spoke at Shriver Center events and I was impressed by his personal warmth and zest for helping others. His work continues to inspire the very talented Shriver Center staff.

It is very fitting that the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced today that the Shriver Center is one of this year’s recipients of its Creative and Effective Institutions Awards. The Award will help the Shriver Center continue to honor Sargent Shriver’s legacy by achieving social and economic justice for low-income people through their work at the national and state levels. Congratulations to my friend and former boss, John Bouman, Shriver Center president, and to all of the staff and Board of Directors there.

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