[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 79 (Tuesday, June 21, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       TYLER'S 30-YEAR MONSIGNOR

                                 ______


                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 1994

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
remarkable man from the Fourth Congressional District of Texas, Msgr. 
Milam J. Joseph of Tyler, TX, a wonderful and valued friend of mine.
  On May 30, Monsignor Joseph celebrated his 30th year in the ministry, 
having been ordained by Bishop Thomas K. Gorman for the Diocese of 
Dallas on May 30, 1964. Milam Joseph then served as the assistant 
pastor for St. Rita's Church in Fort Worth for 2 years. He served the 
Dallas/Fort Worth Diocese from 1964 to 1968 as notary to the tribunal 
and in 1968 as director of vocations.
  Monsignor Joseph's exceptional education began at Sacred Heart 
Elementary School and Jesuit High School in Dallas. He graduated with a 
bachelor of science degree in commerce from the University of Notre 
Dame in 1959. He continued his education at St. John's Seminary in 
Little Rock from 1959 to 1960, at Catholic University here in 
Washington from 1960 to 1964, and at the University of Dallas in 1961. 
He received a master's degree in education in 1967 from Catholic 
University.
  This is indeed an impressive resume and list of academic credentials, 
Mr. Speaker. However, Monsignor Joseph's most impressive work has been 
as a pastor, living and working with everyday men and women as they go 
through everyday lives.
  In 1969, Monsignor Joseph came to the Immaculate Conception Church in 
Tyler, TX, in 1969. He served as assistant pastor for 4 years, becoming 
pastor in 1973. He also served as principal of Thomas K. Gorman High 
School from 1969 to 1974.
  Monsignor Joseph has served on numerous boards, foundations, and 
charitable organizations in east Texas, including University Park 
Hospital in Tyler, people attempting to help [PATH], and the Tyler 
ministerial alliance. He received various awards and honors from church 
organizations, educational institutions, and civic groups. These 
involvements and honors are not the result of Milam Joseph's desire for 
recognition. Rather, they are because people wanted to recognize him 
for his efforts on behalf of his parishioners and the people of Tyler.
  As I said earlier, Monsignor Joseph's most notable accomplishments 
have been with his everyday works as a pastor--marrying, burying, 
counseling, baptizing, providing comfort, and sharing joy. A letter 
from the pastoral council at Immaculate Conception describes Father 
Joseph: ``In good times and bad times, in season and out of season, he 
has always been there for us. Like the threads of a tapestry, his 
presence is woven throughout our lives * * *'' What a testimony.
  In conclusion, I would like to note one of Father Joseph's 
activities. Seeing the rising number of immigrants in east Texas, 
particularly from Mexico, he recognized that these individuals had 
special needs and presented unique opportunities for all the 
congregations in east Texas. Perhaps Monsignor Joseph's empathy for 
these people came from the fact that his own family members were 
immigrants to this country. His father, John Joseph, was born in 
Pittsburgh, PA, of Lebanese descent. His mother, Anne Marpes Joseph, 
was born in Rachine, Lebanon, and migrated to this country. 
Nonetheless, Father Joseph saw the needs of newcomers to east Texas. 
Beginning in 1965, he began to participate in exchange programs to 
Latin America. He studied the Spanish language, history, and culture. 
And then in 1976, he established the Hispanic Social Ministry Office in 
Tyler. This is indicative of the concerned, proactive work Milam Joseph 
has been about. As the letter from the pastoral council says, he is 
``truly a man of vision * * * He has been or voice in East Texas for 
social justice.''
  Mr. Speaker, on July 11, Msgr. Milam Joseph began a 6-month 
sabbatical to reflect, pray, and study. He will be missed in the 
diocese in which he has served and in the larger east Texas community. 
In announcing Joseph's sabbatical, Bishop Edmond Carmody called Joseph 
``a man for all people, the rich and the poor, all ethnic groups, all 
brothers and sisters of other faiths and traditions * * *'' I am sure 
all of those people and all of the members of this body join me in 
wishing Msgr. Milam Joseph Godspeed.

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