[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 21, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E995]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   AUTHORIZING PRESIDENT TO AWARD CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO MOTHER 
                                 TERESA

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                               speech of

                         HON. VINCE SNOWBARGER

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 1997

  Mr. SNOWBARGER. Mr. Speaker, Mother Teresa is one of the great 
figures of our time. Her love and compassion are extended alike to rich 
and poor, sick and healthy, young and old. She ministers to the least 
fortunate who might otherwise have no home, no food, no family, and no 
hope. And she witnesses to the well-off around the world who grow 
complacent in their wealth and would sacrifice the unborn in pursuit of 
material gain.
  Because of all Mother Teresa stands for, and not in spite of it, I 
cannot support the awarding of this congressional gold medal. As I 
stated on a similar occasion earlier in this session, the $30,000 
authorized for this medal is more than the average annual income of my 
constituents. I can only guess how many times more it is than the 
lifetime incomes of those Mother Teresa so diligently serves.
  The American people may rightly wonder how their Congress can approve 
such extravagance on the same day it debates the first balanced budget 
in three decades. These same Americans can and do pay their own 
tributes to Mother Teresa and other humanitarians through voluntary 
contributions to charities of their choice.
  While the awarding of this medal springs from nothing but the best of 
motives on the part of my colleagues, I suggest that a more appropriate 
tribute would be to support her daily work. For my part, I will honor 
her with a contribution to her organization, Missionaries of Charity.
  Mr. Speaker, no words can adequately express our admiration for and 
appreciation of Mother Teresa and her work. The only fitting tribute 
lies not in a gold medal, but rather in our own hearts and deeds.

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