[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 21, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              KENTUCKY DOMINICAN SISTERS 175TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I am proud to stand before you and my 
colleagues today to recognize the 175th anniversary of the founding of 
the Kentucky Dominican Sisters. They are the oldest group of Dominican 
Sisters in the United States and I am pleased they chose to put down 
roots in Kentucky.
  It was a time in our Commonwealth's history when the rural 
communities were sometimes forgotten. But nine pioneers took it upon 
themselves to help meet the needs of those in rural Kentucky. They made 
a commitment to the community to serve through service, prayers, and 
study--a commitment which has lasted 175 years. It was this group of 
women who laid the foundation for the Kentucky Dominican Sisters of 
today.
  The Sisters responded to the needs of their time. They nursed 
soldiers in Kentucky during the Civil War and established hospitals for 
residents who previously traveled miles for emergency care. As the 
times have changed so have the needs of citizens of Kentucky. But the 
Sisters are still answering those in distress. My regret today is that 
I can only highlight some of their recent work including working with 
persons living with AIDS, assisting refugees to resettle and advocating 
for food, shelters and health care for not only the people of Kentucky, 
but for those throughout our great United States.
  On April 4, 1997, Sisters from around the United States will gather 
at their Motherhouse in Springfield, KY, for a weekend of celebration. 
Mr. President, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me in 
honoring the Kentucky Dominican Sisters for 175 years of service.

                          ____________________