[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 70 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E999]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO FATHER O'HARE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 3, 1998

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to introduce 
you to a remarkable man who has been very important to me, not only as 
a great friend but also as a mentor, Father Joseph A. O'Hare. Tonight, 
Father O'Hare will be honored with the 1998 Brien McMahon Award by the 
Fordham Club of Washington, DC.
  Born in New York City on February 12, 1931, Father O'Hare attended 
Regis High School in Manhattan. Following graduation, he entered the 
Jesuit Order in 1948. Much of his early spiritual training took place 
in the Philippines, where he attended Berchmann College in Cebu City. 
After completing this intensive program, Joseph O'Hare was ordained a 
priest in 1961 in the Fordham University Church.
  In addition to the Bachelor's and Master's degrees that Father O'Hare 
earned from Berchmann College, he also holds licentiate degrees in 
philosophy and theology from Woodstock College, and a doctorate in 
Philosophy from Fordham. His excellent educational background prepared 
him for a career as the longest serving President in the 157 year 
history of Fordham University. He served on the faculty of the College 
of Arts and Science at Ateneo de Manila Universidad in the Philippine 
capital from 1955 to 1958 and again from 1967 to 1972. Since joining 
Fordham University, he has served as Chairman of the Association of 
Jesuit Colleges and Universities and Chair of the Associations of 
Catholic Colleges and Universities. He was named President of Fordham 
University, my alma mater, on July 1, 1984.
  Father O'Hare's enviable efforts in his chosen career have been 
matched by a sincere civic commitment. Beginning in March 1986, he 
served on the Mayor Koch's Committee on Appointments. He was also a 
member of the Charter Revision Commission of the City of New York from 
1986 to 1988. Soon after, Father O'Hare was appointed Chairman of the 
Campaign Finance Board. This Board, one of the first of its kind in the 
nation, was created to oversee a landmark voluntary city-wide campaign 
finance law. During Father O'Hare's tenure, the Campaign Finance Board 
has been hailed in a New York Times Editorial as a model for other 
cities. In recognition of his unique talents, he was reappointed by 
Mayor Rudolph Guiliani in 1994.
  In light of these accomplishments, it is little wonder that Father 
O'Hare is this year's recipient of the Brien McMahon Award. This award, 
presented annually by the Fordham Club of Washington, D.C., has a 
distinguished history. Prior recipients include Eunice Kennedy and 
Sargent Shriver. Adding Father O'Hare's name to this impressive list 
can only increase the prestige of this honor.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, thousands of 
Fordham alumni, and the Fordham Club of Washington, D.C. as Father 
O'Hare is honored with the Brien McMahon award this evening.

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