[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 135 (Thursday, October 1, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1864]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF ARCHBISHOP ALOJZ

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 1998

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Archbishop Alojz 
Tkac, Archbishop of Kosice and the metropolitan of Eastern Slovakia.
  Archbishop Alojz Tkac, a native of Hummenne, in the region of Zemplin 
Eastern Slovakia, was ordained a priest on June 25, 1961. After 14 
years of service, Archbishop Tkac was denied permission to serve in 
priestly ministry by the communist party. After eight years of absence, 
Archbishop Alojz returned to his passion and was named the pastor of 
the parish in Cervenica.
  On February 14, 1990, Pope John Paul II named him the Bishop of 
Kasice. In 1995, the Diocese of Kosice was elevated to a metropolitan 
see and Bishop Tkac became its first Archbishop since 1962. Pope John 
Paul II personally presented the Archbishop with a Pallium, which was 
worn by Metropolitans on July 2, 1995 during the Pope's visit to 
Kosice.
  On his third visit to the United States, Archbishop Tkac will visit 
several churches in the Cleveland area and meet with many prominent 
members of the Slovak-American community. On October 4, 1998, the 
Archbishop will be attending mass at SS Cyril and Methodius Church in 
Lakewood, Ohio with Father Ondrejka. The SS Cyril and Methodius Church 
is honored that the Archbishop will be attending and is grateful for 
the Archbishop's efforts to preserve the Slovak tradition in Cleveland.
  My fellow colleagues, join me in honoring Archbishop Alojz Takac, a 
man who has dedicated his life to God, freedom and the well-being of 
all people.

                          ____________________