Sargent Shriver, the founding director of the Peace Corps and the architect of President Johnson's War on Poverty, died on Tuesday. He was 95. Shriver spoke to Terry Gross in 1995 about his role in the War on Poverty.
Sargent Shriver is currently Chairman of the Special Olympics. He was organizer and first director of the Peace Corps, elevating it to become one of the most successful programs of the Kennedy Administration. Shriver headed President Johnson's War On Poverty in the 60s. During his tenure he also created VISTA, Head Start, Job Corps and many other successful programs. He recently received the Medal of Freedom from President Clinton -- the country's highest civilian honor.