[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 687 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                       October 9, 2007.
Whereas Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., was born on May 25, 1917, in 
        Syracuse, New York;
Whereas, on June 24, 1943, Father Hesburgh began his service to the Catholic 
        Church as an ordained priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross;
Whereas, from 1952 to 1987, Father Hesburgh served as the president of the 
        University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana;
Whereas, throughout his tenure as president of the University of Notre Dame, 
        Father Hesburgh sought to redefine the contemporary Catholic university 
        as a place where both the moral and intellectual dimensions of scholarly 
        inquiry are vigorously pursued;
Whereas, under his leadership, in 1972 the University of Notre Dame became a 
        coeducational institution;
Whereas Father Hesburgh has held 16 presidential appointments under 9 
        administrations;
Whereas, throughout his life, Father Hesburgh has been a champion of civil 
        rights, tirelessly seeking the peaceful resolution of international 
        conflicts and encouraging a profound respect for all humanity;
Whereas, in pursuit of those objectives, Father Hesburgh has served on numerous 
        boards and commissions, including terms as chair of the Overseas 
        Development Council, chair of the Select Commission on Immigration and 
        Refugee Policy, a member of President Ford's Presidential Clemency 
        Board, and a representative of the Vatican at the International Atomic 
        Energy Agency in Vienna;
Whereas Father Hesburgh was a founding member of the United States Commission on 
        Civil Rights and served as chair of the commission from 1969 to 1972;
Whereas, through his global humanitarian efforts, Father Hesburgh was a catalyst 
        for the creation of the Center of Civil and Human Rights at the 
        University of Notre Dame Law School and contributed to the establishment 
        of the Kellogg Institute for International Studies and the Kroc 
        Institute for International Peace Studies on the University of Notre 
        Dame campus;
Whereas Father Hesburgh has been a persistent advocate for the responsible 
        stewardship of atomic energy, and has united internationally renowned 
        scientists, scholars, and spiritual leaders to promote policies that 
        reduce the likelihood of nuclear conflict;
Whereas Father Hesburgh served as ambassador to the 1979 United Nations 
        Conference on Science and Technology for Development, the first Catholic 
        priest to perform a formal diplomatic role for the United States 
        Government;
Whereas, in 2000, Father Hesburgh became the first person in higher education to 
        be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal;
Whereas Father Hesburgh has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the 
        Nation's highest civilian honor, as well as numerous awards from 
        education groups, including the Alexander Meiklejohn Award from the 
        American Association of University Professors, the Elizabeth Ann Seton 
        Award from the National Catholic Education Association, and 150 honorary 
        degrees, the most ever awarded to a single individual;
Whereas, on May 25, 2007, Father Hesburgh celebrated his 90th birthday; and
Whereas Father Hesburgh has led a life of distinguished public service and deep 
        faith: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That recognizes Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., for his 
contributions to the United States civil rights movement, his tireless work to 
prevent nuclear conflict around the world, and his efforts to secure the 
peaceful resolution of international conflicts.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.