[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 21, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4918-S4919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    AUTHORIZING AWARDING A CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO MOTHER TERESA

  Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to immediate consideration of H.R. 1650 which has been received 
from the House.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 1650) to authorize the President to award a 
     gold medal on behalf of the Congress to Mother Teresa of 
     Calcutta in recognition of her outstanding and enduring 
     contributions through humanitarian and charitable activities.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise in order to urge the Senate to 
pass and send to the President, H.R. 1650, a bill to award Mother 
Teresa a Congressional Gold Medal.
  I would like to take this opportunity to commend our colleague, the 
honorable Senator from Kansas, Sam Brownback, for his tireless efforts 
to pass this legislation. Senator Brownback first introduced a Senate 
version of this legislation, S. 689, earlier this month with 
overwhelming bipartisan support and cosponsorship.
  That this legislation has moved quickly and easily through both 
Houses of Congress is a testament not only to Mother Teresa's 
humanitarian and charitable activities over a lifetime, but also to 
Senator Brownback's hard work and commitment to honoring this 
outstanding human being.
  The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest honor Congress can bestow 
on someone for acts and dedication to a cause that exceeds even the 
highest

[[Page S4919]]

standards. This bill honors Mother Teresa for her lifelong devotion to 
the sick and the needy in the most impoverished areas of the world. It 
also recognizes her work to build and sustain the Missionaries of 
Charities in 25 countries. Under her direction and following her 
example of selflessness, over 3,000 members of the Missionaries of 
Charities stand ready to continue her work.
  Mr. President, Mother Teresa has already been awarded the Nobel Peace 
Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It is time for Congress 
itself to honor Mother Teresa and I commend Senator Brownback for 
initiating this legislation. I offer my personal thanks and 
congratulations to my colleague.
  Mr. STEVENS. I ask unanimous consent the bill be considered read for 
a third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table 
and any statements related to this bill be placed in the appropriate 
place in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (H.R. 1650) was read a third time and passed.

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