[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5272-S5273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           MSGR. KENNETH VELO

 Ms. MOSELEY-BRAUN. Mr. President, it is my pleasure to 
congratulate Msgr. Kenneth Velo, president of the Catholic Church 
Extension Society and priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, as the 
Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans honors him on June 7, 1997 
as the recipient of the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Humanitarian of the 
Year Award.
  Monsignor Velo, who was born on Chicago's south side, was ordained as 
a Catholic priest in May 1973, after attending St. Mary of the Lake 
Seminary in Mundelein, IL. Monsignor Velo served as associate pastor of 
St. Angela Parish in Chicago from 1973 to 1980 and as associate pastor 
of Queen of All Saints Basilica from 1980 to 1981. In 1981, he assisted 
the Archdiocese of Chicago as assistant chancellor, and from 1983 to 
1985 served as vice-chancellor of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
  Known for his ability to remember not only names and faces, but the 
circumstances of the people he encountered, Monsignor Velo was asked by 
the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, Archbishop of Chicago, to serve as 
the Cardinal's executive assistant in 1985. Monsignor Velo would serve 
the Cardinal in this capacity for 14 years. Monsignor Velo was, at 
times, the Cardinal's sounding board, driver, eyes and ears. 
Ultimately, it would be Monsignor Velo who would orchestrate Cardinal 
Bernardin's death rites and care for the Cardinal's mother after his 
death. No one will ever forget the powerful and moving eulogy the 
Monsignor delivered in memory of his friend.
  In 1994 Pope John Paul II, moved by his reputation as a public 
servant, appointed Monsignor Velo to be President of the Catholic 
Church Extension Society, a national philanthropic organization that 
has helped isolated and impoverished missions throughout the United 
States since 1905. As president of the Catholic Church Extension 
Society, Monsignor Velo has only reaffirmed his reputation as an 
individual dedicated to helping others.

[[Page S5273]]

  Monsignor Velo is a true humanitarian. Today, I extend my sincere 
congratulations to Monsignor Velo for receiving the Joseph Cardinal 
Bernardin Humanitarian of the Year Award. Through his extraordinary 
personal effort for the betterment of our community, Monsignor Velo 
truly has personified the humanitarian nature of Joseph Cardinal 
Bernardin. I am proud to join the Joint Civic Committee of Italian 
Americans in recognizing Monsignor Velo's achievements.

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