[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 16, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1760]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE ON THE DEATH OF MOTHER TERESA OF 
                                CALUTTA

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                               speech of

                           HON. GIL GUTKNECHT

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 11, 1997

  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, over 50 years ago, Mother Teresa left a 
comfortable teaching position at a Catholic high school to personally 
care for the beggars, lepers, and homeless on the streets of Calcutta. 
She began alone, following the call of the Cross, but her example 
inspired thousands to join her in service in 25 countries around the 
world.
  I have often told the story of a news reporter who followed Mother 
Teresa for a few days as she worked among Calcutta's dead and dying, 
cleaning their sores and comforting them in their last days. Finally 
the exasperated reporter asked her how she could possibly continue, 
with more dead and dying every day, saying ``You cannot possibly 
succeed!'' ``I was not called to succeed,'' Mother Teresa quietly 
replied. ``I was called to serve.''
  Being present to see Mother Teresa receive the Congressional Medal of 
Honor earlier this year was one of the most memorable moments of my 
life. As she said, ``The world today is hungry not only for bread but 
hungry for love.''
  Though she was less than 5 feet tall, her humble, unwavering devotion 
to the truth made her a towering giant of the 20th century. She was the 
most Christ-like person of this era; the embodiment of Matthew 20:26.

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