[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 27, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



[[Page E 1337]]


   A SPECIAL TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF THE VERY REVEREND J. EARL CAVANAUGH

                                 ______


                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 27, 1995
  Ms. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride and respect that I 
rise today to bring to your attention, and to the attention of my 
colleagues, the fine work and outstanding public service of the Very 
Reverend J. Earl Cavanaugh.
  On Sunday, May 21, 1995, I was honored to join with the congregation 
of the Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Cathedral of Kansas City, MO, 
as well as the greater Kansas City community, to salute Reverend 
Cavanaugh on the occasion of his retirement after 19 years as dean of 
the Cathedral.
  Reverend Cavanaugh was born in Philadelphia, PA, on May 22, 1930. 
After graduating from Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA, in 1953 
with an A.B. degree in English literature, he attended Drew Theological 
School in Madison, NJ, receiving a master of divinity degree in 1956. 
Upon completing a year of special study at the Church Divinity School 
of the Pacific, he was ordained to the priesthood on June 18, 1958, 
diocese of Los Angeles, CA.
  During the period 1958-1976, Reverend Cavanaugh served as vicar of 
St. Peter's Church in Rialto, CA 1958-1961; vicar of St. Bartholomew's 
Church in Poway, CA 1961-64; rector of St. Barnabas Church and chaplain 
to Episcopal students at Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA 1964-68; 
and rector of the Church of the Holy Faith in Inglewood, CA 1968-76.
  In March 1976, Reverend Cavanaugh became dean and rector of Grace and 
Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kansas City, MO, the heart of the heartland 
and my hometown.
  As he had in his previous ministries, Reverend Cavanaugh not only 
embraced his pastoral duties to his congregation but became an advocate 
and a leader in many areas of concern and challenge to the community at 
large, establishing the place of the Cathedral as a center of worship 
and service to both the greater Kansas City community and the diocese 
of West Missouri.
  As dean of Grace and Holy Trinity, he extended participation in the 
worship ministry to both women and men at all levels; encouraged and 
facilitated the development of congregational diversity by age, socio-
economic and cultural background; advocated and implemented the 
ordination of women to the presbyterate; and strengthened the 
relationship of the Cathedral with other Christians and members of 
other faiths through joint worship, study and community service.
  As Dean of Kansas City, Reverend Cavanaugh, working with the Grace 
and Holy Trinity congregation, provided vision and leadership in 
support of the community's efforts to address the growing human needs 
and suffering of the Kansas City population, in particular the 
residents of the downtown area and our more troubled neighborhoods. As 
part of Downtown Ministries, Reverend Cavanaugh and the Grace and Holy 
Trinity congregation worked hand-in-hand with the Catholic Cathedral of 
the Immaculate Conception, Grand Avenue Temple, United Methodist 
Church, and St. Mary's Episcopal Church to minister to area youth, the 
elderly, the hungry, and the needy. From the beginning, Reverend 
Cavanaugh became involved publicly and
 pastorally in dealing with the very difficult issues of the AIDS 
epidemic, working to instill throughout our community a sense of true 
compassion and concern for those inflicted with this terrible disease. 
He dedicated his spirit and his energies to creating a climate of 
ecumenical cooperation and to fostering within our community a 
heightened awareness of the continuing need for social, racial, gender, 
and economic justice.

  Among his many community activities, Reverend Cavanaugh has served 
with distinction as a member of the U.S. Interreligious Committee for 
Peace in the Middle East; as a member of the Downtown Council Board of 
Directors; as chaplain of the Harry S. Truman Good Neighbor Award 
Foundation; as a member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith 
Coalition; on the Kansas City Community Joint Committee on 
Homelessness; and on the mayor's task forces on AIDS and on hunger and 
poverty.
  Within the Episcopal Church, at the national level, Reverend 
Cavanaugh has served on the executive council; was elected nine times 
as deputy to the general convention of the executive church; served as 
a member of the Committee on the State of the Church; and served as a 
member of the House of Deputies Committee on Evangelism at the General 
Conventions held in 1973 and 1979.
  In 1954, Reverend Gingrich married Nancy Gingrich Cavanaugh of 
Philadelphia, PA. Mrs. Cavanaugh graduated from the University of 
Pennsylvania with an A.B. degree in economics. She attended Claremont 
Graduate School in Claremont, CA where she received a master's degree 
in education. Prior to the family's relocation to Kansas City, Mrs. 
Cavanaugh worked for the Federal Reserve System, the California 
Department of Public Assistance, and the Rialto, Los Angeles, and 
Inglewood California School Districts. Since 1977, she has taught 
second grade at the now-Pembroke Hill School in Kansas City. While 
actively involved in her own career, Mrs. Cavanaugh has been an 
integral partner in the great works and the great successes of Reverend 
Cavanaugh. One of the greatest gifts Reverend Cavanaugh shared with 
Kansas City was Nancy Cavanaugh. She became a true citizen of our city 
embracing with her heart our cares and concerns, dedicating her 
personal time and energy to seeking solutions to our problems and to 
celebrating our gains.
  Reverend and Mrs. Cavanaugh are the proud parents of Helen Mary, who 
I had the distinct pleasure of having as one of my students when I was 
on the faculty at the Sunset Hill School. Helen is an attorney and is 
married to Paul Stauts. Helen and Paul live in Northern California and 
have four wonderful children: Sydney, Alexander, Ethan, and Jacob. 
Helen's tribute to her father on Sunday, May 21, brought tears of joy 
to my eyes.
  In 1976, when Reverend Cavanaugh came to the heartland of America--to 
Kansas City--he opened his heart to the congregation and to our 
community. During his 19 years as dean at Grace and Holy Trinity, 
Reverend Cavanaugh played an extraordinary and critical role in our 
community. He touched the lives of so many people. His contributions 
will long be remembered.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me, the 
congregation of the Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, Reverend 
Cavanaugh's family, and the citizens of Kansas City, MO, in recognizing 
Reverend Cavanaugh's outstanding achievements and selfless 
contributions and in extending our congratulations and best wishes on 
the occasion of his retirement.


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