[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 55 (Wednesday, May 6, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBRANCE OF ANNA M. SULLIVAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT A. WEYGAND

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 6, 1998

  Mr. WEYGAND. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to mark the passing of Mrs. 
Anna M. Sullivan of Cranston, Rhode Island, a dear friend and dedicated 
public servant. Anna has been a leader in her church and her community, 
an inspiration to her family and friends, and has left behind a legacy 
of public service.
  Music was a large part of her life. At the age of 13, Anna began to 
play the organ and direct the choir for her church. Through 53 years 
and five children that devotion never changed. Mrs. Sullivan was also 
the elementary music supervisor for the Warwick public school system 
for many years.
  If Anna is to be remembered for one issue, it is her strong, lifelong 
fight in opposition to abortion and support of the family. Anna's work 
as a right to life advocate began in 1970, when she and others 
organized a group to oppose the attempts by some lawmakers to make 
abortion legal.
  They originally called themselves the Constitutional Right to Life 
Committee, but later changed the name to Rhode Island State Right to 
Life. In 1979, Anna founded Right to Life Services, which provides baby 
clothes and equipment to as many as two thousand needy families each 
year.
  Anna lobbied legislators on a number of topics she felt passionately 
about. Anna led the fight against assisted suicide in Rhode Island. 
Another issue of particular concern to Anna was increasing nutritional 
support for pregnant women. She helped underprivileged people and young 
women who were pregnant. While she met many people she disagreed with, 
she always treated them with respect.
  In 1982, she received the Monsignor Charles W. McConnell Memorial 
Award from the Diocese of Providence's Catholic Youth Organization. In 
1985, she became the first woman to receive the Hope Award from the 
Rhode Island State Council for the Knights of Columbus. In 1989, in a 
ceremony at the Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul, she was awarded the 
Papal Cross, ``Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice''.
  Anna, who leaves behind ten children and nine grandchildren, never 
forgot her family despite her many public service activities. Anna will 
be missed by her friends, family, and community. I ask my colleagues to 
join me in extending our deepest sympathies to her family at this time.

                          ____________________