[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 12, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S1325]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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 TRIBUTE TO FATHER JAROSLAW KUPCZAK ON SERVING THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY 
      AND RECEIVING HIS DOCTORATE FROM THE JOHN PAUL II INSTITUTE

 Mr. BOB SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
great American, Father Jaroslaw Kupczak. Father Jaroslaw is a Dominican 
priest from Bilgoraj, Poland who, for the past 4 years, has been a 
doctoral student at the John Paul II Institute in the District of 
Columbia.
  During his tenure in the United States, Father Jaroslaw did much more 
than study at one of the most respected institutes of higher learning. 
He became part of the community.
  Father Jaroslaw unselfishly dedicated his time and energy to needy 
citizens in a number of area communities. Every 2 weeks, he celebrated 
Mass at the Missionaries of Charities in Anacostia. The mission is run 
by a group of sisters who take in single, pregnant women and house them 
during their pregnancy and after. His compassion and counsel brought 
the spirit of God into the lives of these women in need.
  As would be expected, Father Jaroslaw was a pillar in the Polish 
community. He was a frequent celebrant, confessor, and counselor to the 
parishioners of Our Lady Queen of Poland parish in Silver Spring, MD. 
He often celebrated Sunday Mass, as well as masses on holy days and 
Polish holidays. He even traveled as far as Norfolk, VA to celebrate 
Mass and provide spiritual guidance to a Polish community that was 
without a parish.
  Mr. President, our Nation has been blessed with Father Jaroslaw's 
tenure in the United States for the past 4 years. Many Catholics and 
Polish Americans have been touched by his generosity and time and his 
devotion to area residents has been an inspiration to all of us.
  I would further like to congratulate him on his graduation from the 
John Paul II Institute and on receiving his degree doctor sacrae 
thelolgiae summa cum laude. We wish him continued health and happiness 
as he returns to his assignment in Krakow, Poland, to touch the lives 
of the citizens there.

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