[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 25, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H4606]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH HAEFELI

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Colorado [Mr. Bob Schaffer] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a 
moment to pay tribute to the contributions of a fine gentleman who has 
recently passed on. His contributions to this world have had a profound 
impact upon the lives he touched.
  Mr. Joseph Haefeli is the man to whom I am referring. He came from 
God's country, the great State of Colorado in the city of Greeley. Mr. 
Haefeli was taken from us and called home to the Lord on March 15, 
1997.
  Mr. Haefeli was born on October 11, 1919. He attended the University 
of Northern Colorado, graduated from the University of California at 
Berkeley, and was a practicing doctor of optometry for 46 years. Part 
of his practice he served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. 
Joseph Haefeli and his wife Julianne parented three children, John, 
Anne and Joseph. His daughter, Anne, gave him two wonderful 
grandchildren.
  Joseph Haefeli defined the true meaning of giving to one's community. 
It would be hard to match his record of involvement in the community 
and his dedication to charity.
  Joseph Haefeli was a member and past president of the Weld County 
Mental Health Association, member and past president of the Weld County 
United Way Board, chairman of the Well County Chapter of the American 
Red Cross, chairman of the Rotary Crippled Children's Committee, 
executive board member of the Longs Peak Council of Boy Scouts, member 
and trust chairman of the St. Mary's Catholic Church Council, chairman 
and board member of the Greeley Chapter of the Salvation Army.
  Joseph Haefeli was awarded and named Distinguished Member of the U.S. 
Army Medical Regent by order of the Surgeon General. He went on to 
receive numerous honors from organizations such as the Chamber of 
Commerce, the Red Cross, the Lion's Club, Rotary International, and the 
Colorado Optometric Association, and many others.
  Sir Joseph Haefeli was also vested as a Knight of the Equestrian 
Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in 1984, a Catholic 
organization that strives to sustain the spiritual life of all of its 
members and to support the church in Jerusalem, the Holy Land. The 
Order works to provide its members with a solid spiritual basis from 
which they can conduct their lives. Joseph Haefeli excelled in the 
Order and was not only a Knight of the Order, but was promoted Knight 
Commander with Star in 1996. This is a papal honor and the highest 
papal award to clergy or laity alike.
  It was through this Order that I came into contact with Sir Joseph 
Haefeli. This pin that I wear on my lapel right above my congressional 
pin is the insignia of the Order and a signal of my brotherhood and 
fellowship with Joseph in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. He 
sponsored me as a Knight of the Order which has brought deeper meaning 
to my spiritual life.
  Sir John Owens wrote of Joseph Haefeli, ``His life was devoted to his 
church and his fellow man and has brought credit and respect to them 
both.''
  Mr. Speaker, it is people like Joseph Haefeli who define the American 
spirit, that make our country so wonderful. The actions of a person 
like Joseph Haefeli are what gives us hope for a better tomorrow. If we 
could each give half of what he has contributed, this country would be 
a far better place for our children and our families.
  Joe composed a prayer that I would like to share with the Members of 
the House entitled ``From My Heart.'' It is indicative of his devotion 
and a clear sign of his rightful place now among the saints.

     ``I am a selfish man, dear Lord.
     I have so much and still want more.
     I want to be more generous and more kind,
     More loving and more benign.
     To do more good and be more thoughtful
     And less sinful.
     Even though You have blessed me many times,
     I want and ask Your blessings
     To continue in my time.
     I want acceptance of your will,
     Your guidance and Your rule,
     To thank You for all of my happiness,
     My sorrow and hurt too.
     Each brings me nearer, Lord, to You.
     I want and ask for Your forgiveness
     And mercy also.
     I want to praise You as my God and thank You
     For all you have done for me.
     What I really want the most is what
     You want for me.
     Jesus, I am a selfish man--maybe yes, maybe no
     Because I want my family, my friends and all
     To share these `wants' and Your answers too.
     Lord, I know You understand.
     Help me to know what You want from me.
     Amen.''
     --Written by Sir Joseph Haefeli, November of 1994.

  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Haefeli will be missed and remembered always as a 
great American. Our prayers that the Lord might bless and protect his 
family and descendents, may his soul and all the souls of the 
faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.




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