[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1796-E1797]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO REV. EDWARD O. HUG

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 1996

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man of true 
faith--longtime servant of the church and our larger community in the 
greater Toledo area, the dear and beloved Rev. Edward O. Hug. He 
generously bestowed upon our community, particularly in the Catholic 
parishes throughout northwest Ohio to which he devoted his life for 47 
years gentleness, dedication, and spiritual depth.
  A man of God, Father Hug ministered to thousands, providing counsel, 
direction, and solace. His final parish was my own, Little Flower 
Catholic Church in Toledo.
  As we remember Father Hug, his life, and his work and reflect upon 
his passing, I would like to quote from what has been regarded as one 
of Father Hug's finest sermons. In discussing life's passages, Father 
Hug told his congregation, ``we should never be afraid of dying. When a 
baby comes into this world, the baby says `I'm afraid to be born.' Then 
he comes out into the world and sees all the friendly faces and 
realizes the world is a wonderful place.'' It's the same with death. 
We're all afraid of dying, but when we die, we are

[[Page E1797]]

entering a new life. And it's the most wonderful place to be.'' Upon 
his own death, to which he professed to look forward, Father Hug's 
words echo. We know that he is at peace after a long and heroic 
struggle, and he is happy.
  Our entire community expresses heartfelt gratitude for the life and 
beneficence of Father Edward Hug. No man could have given others more. 
We extend our prayers to his family, his brothers Father Fritz and 
Father Relmond Hug, also men of the church, and Eldred Hug, his devoted 
sisters Virginia Kunisch and Marlene Alter, and the entire Hug family. 
Godspeed.

                          ____________________