[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 26 (Thursday, February 29, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF FATHER JOHN J. MURPHY

                                 ______


                        HON. GERALD B.H. SOLOMON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 29, 1996

  Mr. SOLOMON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take time today to pay 
tribute to a great man and community leader, Father John J. Murphy of 
Catskill, NY, in my congressional district. Father Murphy will be 
celebrating his 25th anniversary as pastor of the St. Patrick's parish 
located in Catskill, nestled between the Catskill mountains and the 
Hudson River.
  Throughout his tenure as pastor, Father Murphy has served the 
Catskill community with an unending devotion, self-sacrifice, and 
countless hours of hard work and determination. Moreover, he has 
devoted a great deal of his time to ensuring that families in Greene 
and Columbia Counties have the opportunity to provide their children 
with a parochial school education in their own community. While 
attending St. Patrick's for school, it wouldn't be rare to see Father 
Murphy out front in all kinds of weather, even those Northeast winters, 
welcoming students off the school bus. Father Murphy takes great pride 
in playing a central role in the students religious education from 
their very first day, to graduation day and beyond. Former students 
spanning his 25 years of service still know they can expect a warm 
greeting, sound advice and guidance, or just an open ear upon their 
return.
  Mr. Speaker, even outside his formal duties to his parish and the 
school, it is not unusual to see Father Murphy at all kinds of 
community events. I always have admired people like Father Murphy who 
go out of their way to offer their services to neighbors in the 
community, especially to those people who may not have the privilege of 
hearing his words of wisdom regularly. It is actions like these, Mr. 
Speaker, that make Father John Murphy a pillar of the Catskill 
community.
  This year, Father Murphy will have been a priest for 39 years, 25 of 
which will have been as pastor of St. Patrick's. And on this Sunday, 
March 3, 1996, the Catskill community will pay tribute to his 
tremendous service on their behalf. At this time, I ask you, Mr. 
Speaker, and the rest of my colleagues in the House to rise alongside 
myself and the rest of his community in wishing Father Murphy many more 
years of health and happiness.

                          ____________________