[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 77 (Friday, June 17, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 17, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              MSGR. CHARLES OWEN RICE, 60 YEARS OF SERVICE

                                 ______


                         HON. WILLIAM J. COYNE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 17, 1994

  Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to pay tribute to Msgr. 
Charles Owen Rice on the 60th anniversary of his ordination as a 
Catholic priest.
  Monsignor Rice has long been a prominent member of the Pittsburgh 
area community in his various roles as a priest and an outspoken 
advocate for civil rights and the rights of all working men and women. 
A lifelong champion of social justice, Monsignor Rice earned a highly 
respected reputation as a labor priest in the 1930's and his dedication 
to defending the rights and human dignity of each man and woman has 
been steadfast for the past 60 years.
  Msgr. Charles Owen Rice has served as an inspirational role model for 
other members of the clergy and for the general population of the 
Pittsburgh area. His willingness to confront social evils and work for 
solutions has helped to improve the quality of life in the Pittsburgh 
area. Across the past six decades, Monsignor Rice has set a standard of 
personal commitment to the public good that has remained constant 
regardless of shifting political fashions.
  Monsignor Rice grew up in the city of Pittsburgh to which he moved as 
a child from his native New York City. After graduating from Duquesne 
University in 1930, he began studying at St. Vincent Seminary. Ordained 
in 1934, he began a career of pastoral service to various local 
parishes and the community in general which has continued over six full 
decades.
  As an active local priest during the Great Depression, Monsignor Rice 
organized some of the church's efforts to help individuals and families 
in need. He opened St. Joseph House of Hospitality to provide food, 
clothing, and temporary shelter for hungry and homeless men. Monsignor 
Rice also emerged as a well-known voice speaking out on the needs of 
the day as a radio commentator and a columnist for the Pittsburgh 
Catholic. His career in local radio was to continue for 44 years and 
his columns still appear regularly in the Pittsburgh Diocese's 
publication.
  At a time when the Great Depression created severe problems for 
working men and women, Monsignor Rice began a lifelong struggle on 
behalf of the rights of labor. He emerged as an activist supporter of 
the American labor movement and addressed labor groups and others at 
thousands of events. life as a ``labor priest was not without 
controversy at times, but Monsignor Rice's commitment to speaking out 
on behalf of labor was never shaken and his voice was never silenced.
  Father Charles Owen Rice was officially installed as a monsignor in 
1964 at a time when the United States was confronting the legacy of 
slavery and segregation. He was an active participant in the civil 
rights movement and became widely known as a forceful advocate of the 
rights of minorities to enjoy the full benefits of citizenship in the 
United States. He dedicated himself to helping African-Americans in 
their effort to gain equal access to quality housing, employment and 
educational opportunities. Monsignor Rice used his moral voice to 
promote respect for the civil rights of all Americans and labored 
steadfastly to confront racial strife and social unrest.
  Monsignor Rice also emerged as a committed advocate for an end to the 
war in Vietnam. He led a large number of antiwar marches and teach-ins. 
His dedication to working for peace served to place him in the 
forefront of national efforts struggling to secure an end to the 
Vietnam war.
  St. Vincent Seminary honored Monsignor Rice's lifelong commitment to 
social justice in 1990 with the creation of a fund to establish a Msgr. 
Charles Owen Rice Chair of Ethical Studies. At this ceremony, Monsignor 
Rice was honored for his lifetime of service on behalf of social 
justice. In additional to his work for labor rights, racial harmony, 
and peace, Monsignor Rice was saluted for his dedicated work on behalf 
of prison reform and more recent efforts to help individuals suffering 
from AIDS. Today, Monsignor Rice continues to lead an active life of 
service as pastor emeritus to St. Anne Parish, Castle Shannon, and in 
the community in general.
  Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that the assembled Members of the U.S. 
House of Representatives should have this opportunity to reflect on the 
lifelong service of an individual like Msgr. Charles Owen Rice. His 
commitment to social justice and his eloquence in speaking out for the 
rights of others should serve as an inspiration to everyone who seeks 
to serve the public.

                          ____________________