[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 105 (Wednesday, August 3, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   TRIBUTE TO FATHER DONAL FORRESTER

                                 ______


                         HON. THOMAS J. MANTON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 2, 1994

  Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a fine man, 
Father Donal Forrester. He has illustrated true loyalty not only to his 
country, but to his religion and community as well. On Sunday, May 22, 
1994, he celebrated his 60th anniversary as a Paulist Father in St. 
Paul's the Apostle Church in New York City.
  A wartime comrade to a number of other World War II veterans, Father 
Forrester has given his time to the friends and family of his 
colleagues. He appointed himself lifelong chaplain for the 809th 
battalion where he watches over them constantly.
  In addition, many years ago, the Texas legislature honored him for 
services he did over the years. This year he was the celebrant of the 
25th anniversary of his founding of a baseball league for the youth of 
the San Francisco Chinese community.
  In his role as chaplain, Father Forrester has conducted an annual 
memorial and ecumenical mass for the 809th battalion at their yearly 
reunions for almost 50 years. He has done it for the ever-growing list 
of our fallen comrades. He allows for the remembrance of the important 
feats his comrades did for their battalion.
  Although Father Forrester is Catholic, he had devoted himself to all 
of his comrades, no matter what faith they might be. For example, he 
accompanied the body of a Jewish companion to the gravesite where he 
was called upon to share his thoughts about Bernard Rosenbloom to 
soothe the family and friends gathered there.
  In a day and age where selfishness is the norm for so many in our 
society, it is reassuring to know there are still people like Father 
Forrester. Those who are close to him continue to call him friend, 
comrade as well as chaplain. I commend Father Forrester for his 
dedication to his family, friends, and comrades. I know my colleagues 
join me in commending Father Donal Forrester on his 60th anniversary as 
a Paulist Father.

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