Remarks at the Champions of Children Gala

My wife and I are sorry that we cannot be with you tonight for the Champions of Children Gala. We were both so honored to be the recipients of your “American Icon Award” last year, and thrilled to give the $100,000 donation from the Phoenix Foundation to Best Buddies, Inc., who wasted no time in putting the money to good use.

We would like to personally congratulate Tom Abrams for the work which he and the Phoenix Foundation are doing on behalf of children everywhere. The Phoenix Foundation is truly unique in that 100% of all monies raised go directly to Charity! This extraordinary accomplishment is made possible by Tom Abrams, who personally covers all the administrative costs of the Foundation so that the children don’t lose out on a single dollar of the funds raised for them!

We especially regret that we will not be with you as you honor the all-star group of famous men and women, specifically those who have dedicated themselves to the noble cause of helping children.

First of all, you have the former President of Russia and winner of the Nobel Laureate, for his service and leadership of all humanity. President Mikhail Gorbachev, whose strides toward world peace put an end to the Cold War, and helped millions of children believe in tomorrow instead of fearing the very next day. Mikhail, my dear friend, how I wish I could be there to raise a toast in your name as you receive this much deserved award.

Secondly, we pay tribute to a man who feels like a close friend of mine, after watching him play for the Orioles for the last nineteen years. I’m referring to the Iron Man himself, Cal Ripken Jr., who has forever raised our standards with regard to what a single individual can accomplish both on and off the baseball field.

We’re also honoring John and Peggy Henry, who have generously reached far beyond the Florida Marlins baseball diamond to help economically disadvantaged children obtain school supplies and childcare services.

Finally, I’d like to pay special tribute to John and Revay Walsh, who in the face of their own tragedy, the loss of their beloved six year old son, Adam, decided that no other parents should have to endure that agony. Their tireless efforts brought about the Missing Children’s Assistance Act, creating the National Center of Missing & Exploited Children, the nation’s resource center for child protection.

They have given comfort and hope to parents all over our country, and they have been responsible for the return of hundreds, if not thousands, of children to their families.

John and Reve Walsh, your selfless service to the children of the world has put us all in your debt. You have succeeded in making the world a safer place, and more importantly, you’ve helped us understand how much further we have to go to make the entire world safer.

So hats off to our distinguished honorees, as well as every single individual in attendance tonight. God bless you all!

Peace requires the simple but powerful recognition that what we have in common as human beings is more important and crucial than what divides us.
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Sargent Shriver
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