[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2129-E2130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO SISTER MARY URBAN HARRER

                                 ______


                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, November 8, 1995

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend to our 
Nation's attention and to my congressional colleagues, the life of 
Sister Mary Urban Harrer.
  For more than a quarter of a century, she has been so closely 
connected with the St. Clares Riverside Medical Center that her name is 
synonymous with its special mission and reputation.
  Sister Mary Urban fills many roles at the hospital. She is chairman 
of the board of the medical center, a founder and mover of the annual 
Harvest Festival, a relentless fundraiser and organizer, an astute 
businesswoman, and a health care professional with years of hands-on 
experience in nursing and hospital administration. Her love of God and 
her service to mankind knows few equals.
  But there is a role that transcends even these. First and foremost, 
she is a religious member of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother.
  This month that role is highlighted as she celebrates her 60 years in 
the convent.
  Her long road began in Bavaria where she was born, one of 12 children 
of Louis and Wally Harrer. Sister Mary Urban entered the convent at 
Abenburg. But within a short time she was transferred to Rome and the 
congregation's motherhouse. In 1935, she came to the United States--a 
journey she had long wished for and a dream come true.
  In America, she entered the novitiate in Milwaukee, WI, and completed 
her formation for the religious life, taking her first vows in 1936 and 
her final vows in 1941.
  Transferred to St. Francis Regional Medical Center in 1939, she 
entered the 3-year diploma nursing program and graduated as a 
registered nurse in 1942. Ten years later, she earned a bachelor's 
degree in nursing education from Marquette University.
  For 28 years, she served at St. Francis as staff nurse, head nurse, 
nursing supervisor, and administrator.
  She was known not only as a dedicated nurse but one who fought 
valiantly for her patients. The story is told of the time in Wichita, 
KS, when she was assisting in a Caesarean delivery. An infant was 
declared dead by the doctor, but she thought it was too soon to give 
up. She worked until he was breathing on his own. For the next 18 
years, Sister Mary Urban received a bouquet of roses on the baby's 
birthday.
  In 1967, she was transferred to Denville, leaving an 800-bed regional 
medical center for St. Clare's Hospital, then a 180-bed community 
hospital.
  As the hospital's administrator, she soon became known for her 
indomitable spirit, her courage, her gift for fundraising, her deep 
sense of caring, and her strong faith in God.
  Daily, she made rounds of patients, moving quietly from room to room 
to ask how they were doing and promising to speak to the Lord on their 
behalf.
  She had so much energy that her feet seemed hardly to hit the ground 
as she hurried up and down stairs and hallways. To some she was known 
as the ``flying nun.''
  All of her work paid off. In the years of her tenure, St. Clare's 
grew in size and in the scope of its services. In 1972, a building 
program almost doubled the hospital's size. In 1984, when a four-story 
tower was constructed, it was named appropriately, Urban Tower.
  It was not only the hospital which profited from her presence. So did 
the larger community. In 1983, the Denville Rotary Club was setting up 
its first Citizen of the Year Award. Members said they were looking for 
a person whose actions had contributed most to the residents of 
Denville area. The unanimous vote was Sister Mary Urban.
  Today, as Chairman of the Board, she continues to be involved in the 
day-to-day life of the medical center where she brings determination to 
her work as she does for the Harvest Festival, the successful 1-day 
country fair which she inspired.
  She has the ability to inspire others to the same kind of Herculean 
efforts. And they 

[[Page E 2130]]
come back year after year to do the same incredible job again.
  Their efforts--and hers--have paid substantial dividends. In the 
first 19 years, the Festival has raised $2.6 million to support 
hospital services and programs and to fund construction and equipment 
purchases. This October was the 20th Harvest Festival.
  Her wonderful combination of perseverance, determination, and caring 
has made her a major asset to the medical center. Many believe that 
Sister Mary Urban is largely responsible for building the public 
support which has in turn fostered the growth of the medical center and 
made it what it is today: A 417-bed regional health care center.
  The young farm girl who entered a Bavarian convent 60 years ago has 
made a difference to a town she did not then know existed.
  God has blessed St. Clares Riverside, Sister Mary Urban has said, by 
building it into a fine hospital. Those who know her believe that she 
helped make that happen.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, I ask that we recognize and salute Sister Mary 
Urban Harrer's life and service.

                          ____________________