110 HRES 687 EH: Resolution recognizing Reverend Theodore M. U.S. House of Representatives 2007-10-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 687 In the House of Representatives, U. S., October 9, 2007 RESOLUTION Resolution recognizing Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., for his contributions to the civil rights movement in the United States, his tireless work to reduce the threat of nuclear conflict, and his efforts to secure the peaceful resolution of international conflicts.

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

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.

Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk.