[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 15, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H380-H385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PRESENTING CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO JOHN CARDINAL O'CONNOR
Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3557) to authorize the President to award a gold medal on
behalf of the Congress to John Cardinal O'Connor, Archbishop of New
York, in recognition of his accomplishments as a priest, a chaplain,
and a humanitarian.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 3557
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) His Eminence John Cardinal O'Connor is a man of deep
compassion, great intellect, and tireless devotion to both
spiritual guidance and humanitarianism.
(2) John Joseph O'Connor was born on January 15, 1920, in
southwest Philadelphia, the son of Thomas J. O'Connor and
Mary Gomple O'Connor.
(3) John Cardinal O'Connor joined the Navy Chaplains Corps
in June 1952 during the Korean Conflict, served with elements
of both the Navy and the Marine Corps, and saw combat action
in Vietnam. He later served as chaplain of the United States
Naval Academy and was appointed as Chief of Chaplains of the
Navy with the grade of rear admiral, from which position he
retired four years later, in May 1979. He was ordained a
Bishop by Pope John Paul II on May 27, 1979. He then served
as Vicar General of the Military Ordinariate (now the
Archdiocese for the Military Services) until 1984.
(4) John Cardinal O'Connor became Bishop of Scranton,
Pennsylvania, on May 10, 1983, was named Archbishop of the
Catholic Archdiocese of New York on January 31, 1984, and was
elevated to the rank of Cardinal by Pope John Paul II on May
25, 1985.
(5) John Cardinal O'Connor has demonstrated an unwavering
commitment to public and parochial school education. He has
supported and strengthened Catholic schools in their mission
to provide a quality education to students of all races,
ethnic backgrounds, and religions in the Archdiocese of New
York and throughout the Nation.
(6) John Cardinal O'Connor has provided comfort and care to
the sick, the elderly, and the disabled and provided millions
of people with spiritual and emotional support. He lead the
effort to open New York State's first AIDS-only unit at St.
Claire's Hospital, remaining a frequent visitor and volunteer
at the hospital.
(7) Throughout his life, John Cardinal O'Connor has also
served on behalf of the poor and the oppressed, as
exemplified by his assistance on behalf of famine victims in
Ethiopia and victims in war-torn Bosnia-Herzegovina.
(8) Throughout his career, John Cardinal O'Connor has been
a strong advocate of interfaith healing and understanding,
particularly among individuals of the Catholic and Jewish
faiths, and has played a significant role in helping to
establish diplomatic ties between the Vatican and Israel.
(9) John Cardinal O'Connor took the inspiring words of the
Declaration of Independence--``Life, Liberty and the pursuit
of Happiness''--and transformed them into a statement of
purpose. He has dedicated his life's work to protecting and
defending these inalienable rights of all people.
(10) John Cardinal O'Connor celebrated his 80th birthday on
January 15, 2000, and has displayed remarkable courage and
the true power of his faith in carrying on his life's work in
the face of life-threatening illness.
SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.
(a) Presentation Authorized.--The President is authorized
to present, on behalf of the Congress, a gold medal of
appropriate design to John Cardinal O'Connor, Archbishop of
New York, in recognition of his accomplishments as a priest,
a soldier, and a humanitarian.
(b) Design and Striking.--For the purpose of the
presentation referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of
the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to as the
``Secretary'') shall strike a gold medal with suitable
emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the
Secretary.
SEC. 3. DUPLICATE MEDALS.
Under such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, the
Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of the
gold medal struck under section 2 at a price sufficient to
cover the costs of the medals, including labor, materials,
dies, use of machinery, overhead expenses, and the cost of
the gold medal.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL MEDALS.
The medals struck under this Act are national medals for
purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United States Code.
SEC. 5. FUNDING AND PROCEEDS OF SALE.
(a) Authorization.--There is hereby authorized to be
charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund
an amount not to exceed $30,000 to pay for the cost of the
medals authorized by this Act.
(b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sale of
duplicate bronze medals under section 3 shall be deposited in
the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Alabama (Mr. Bachus) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus).
Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. BACHUS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, today we honor a great American, the
Cardinal of New York, John O'Connor, a spiritual leader who has been
guiding the 2.3 million Catholics in the Archdiocese of New York for 16
years, and millions more in the Navy and Marines as a chaplain for 27
years.
The Cardinal endured military combat when he was called to minister
to those entrusted to his care on the battlefields and in the jungles
of Vietnam. A general from the Third Marine Division in Vietnam said of
him, ``No one was more effective in sustaining for all Marines of any
religion a particular morale.''
Cardinal O'Connor has been more than a spiritual guide for Catholics.
He has served as a witness of Christ in his love for others and his
heroic stance against moral decay and in his personal relationship with
Christ. Above all else, his love for God has been the motivation for
his love for all other persons.
His love for others has led him to reach out to those with physical
disabilities. He has stood with disabled persons and their caregivers
and supported them as cherished members of the church. In doing so, he
has made them more visible, and the result often is greater acceptance
and inclusion on the local level.
He has reached out to those suffering from alcoholism and emotional
illness.
{time} 1115
In the early 1980s, he opened the first treatment center exclusively
for AIDS patients in a New York City hospital.
His love for the truth has led him to preach lively and clearly
against offenses to human dignity. A reoccurring theme of the
Cardinal's preaching is that each person has immense value and dignity.
That dignity is rooted in our relationship to God being made in his own
image.
The Cardinal has preached against hatred based on race or religion,
against the abuse of women, against the destruction of the unborn, and
against injustice in the political and judicial system. His stands
against racism are as strong as his outspokenness
[[Page H381]]
against abortion. Indeed, for the Cardinal, both racism and abortion
are rejections of God and both demand the response of love. He has
said, ``It is God who gave life and God who made life in its diversity.
The defilement of the human person is a defilement of God,'' the
Cardinal has said. In a mass in Harlem, he said that people cannot
achieve community merely on the basis of respect for each other or
honoring authority; it must be on the basis of love.
On Pentecost 1990 following a gang slaying of a black teenager, the
Cardinal declared racism a sin and an outrage and led a cathedral mass
congregation in a pledge to, and I quote, ``treat all men and women of
every race and culture with the respect and dignity that is their right
as persons made in the image and likeness of God.''
The Cardinal said, and again I quote, ``The church has always taught
that the only answer to hate is love. There are no blacks, no whites,
no Asians, no Hispanics, only children of God. This city; tragically,
this country, has been filled far too long with the hatred we call
racism. It is a sin, it is an outrage,'' said the Cardinal.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the House today honors John Cardinal O'Connor, a man
whom Pope John Paul II once praised as a ``strong shepherd of men.'' On
January 15 of this year, Cardinal O'Connor turned 80; and in the
twilight of his great career he is courageously waging a battle against
cancer. With his strong character and religious devotion, his spirit is
thriving, as his comments on his recent visit to the Vatican witness. I
am honored to rise before this House in support of this very timely
bill that awards a gold medal on behalf of Congress through the
President to this man who so deservedly carries the title, ``His
Eminence.''
In 1984, Cardinal O'Connor made his first visit to Rome in his new
capacity as archbishop of New York. Pope John Paul II welcomed him as
the ``archbishop of the capital of the world.'' Catholic parishioners
in America know well Cardinal O'Connor's contributions to the
betterment of our society, most especially his many humanitarian
endeavors such as his work on behalf of disabled persons and the people
who care for them. His efforts to end racism in America command our
respect; and in our diverse multicultural, multilingual, and
multireligious country, the Cardinal's calls for ecumenical
understanding have helped immensely in fostering peaceful fellowship
between Catholics and their Jewish and Protestant Christian brethren.
In his devotion to many causes, Cardinal O'Connor has not only served
his church with distinction, but also his country. He made the Navy his
home for 27 years and through two wars. He retired as a rear admiral in
1979 with a Meritorious Service Medal, a Distinguished Service Medal
and a Legion of Merit award, amongst others. He carries the distinction
of being the first Roman Catholic priest to become senior chaplain at
the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis.
Upon retirement from the Navy, Pope John Paul II installed him in
Rome as a bishop for our Armed Forces, and in 1983, after assuming the
bishopric of Scranton, Pennsylvania, he garnered national attention as
one of the influential drafters of the America Bishops' pastoral letter
on nuclear weapons, ``The Challenge of Peace: God's Promise and Our
Response.''
In 1984, he assumed stewardship of the Archdiocese of New York. In
academia, he holds an M.A. in clinical psychology and a Ph.D. in
political theory. Finally, the Cardinal has published several
thoughtful books on ecumenical and social issues.
Mr. Speaker, while today we honor a great man, one who has made
America a better place, the House should go a step further to learn
from Cardinal O'Connor's example and recognize that his spirit and
commitment to social justice represent universal human values. For the
coat of arms to which his clerical position entitles him, Cardinal
O'Connor adopted the motto: ``There can be no love without justice.''
By that he meant, from the beginning of life to the cessation of life,
a continuum of justice, a continuum of love. He lived his motto and he
preached his motto. No person could do better, no person could do more.
We all could emulate the example.
So I know my colleagues will join me and the many cosponsors of this
legislation in paying high tribute to a man who has given such
outstanding service to his country, his faith, and his pastoral flocks.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman New York
(Mr. Fossella), who is the original sponsor of the resolution.
(Mr. FOSSELLA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Speaker, first I would like to thank the gentleman
from Alabama (Mr. Bachus) and the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) and
the House who have understood the importance of this matter and who
have helped me move this legislation forward so quickly. For that they
should be commended. I would also like to thank a fellow New Yorker and
former member of this chamber, Charles Schumer, who has introduced
identical legislation in the other body.
As we have briefly heard, Cardinal O'Connor has spent a lifetime
using one simple tool: love. Love for his country, his church, and his
fellow human beings. Therefore, I consider it a great privilege to be
able to introduce this legislation, an honor to associate with a man
who has done so much for our Nation and for New York City.
Many people know that Cardinal O'Connor is the leader of New York's
Catholic archdiocese. What many people do not know is that before his
tenure in New York, the Cardinal spent 27 years in the Navy,
ministering on behalf of our soldiers at home and abroad. Cardinal
O'Connor joined the Navy during the war in Korea and saw combat action
with the Navy and the Marines during the Vietnam War. He went on to
serve as chaplain at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis,
instilling our future admirals with a sense of justice. Eventually,
Cardinal O'Connor would rise to the rank of Rear Admiral. Upon leaving
the military, he was ordained the bishop of the Armed Forces of the
United States, but I believe in his heart, he always remained the
chaplain.
Cardinal O'Connor is the spiritual leader of 2.3 million Catholics.
Despite this challenge he has not limited his advocacy to strictly
Catholic matters. Rather, he speaks out on a variety of issues. For
example, Cardinal O'Connor has condemned racism in any and all forms.
Cardinal O'Connor has also reached out to New York's Jewish community.
He has issued unequivocal condemnations of anti-semitism and
spearheaded the effort to establish diplomatic ties between the Vatican
and Israel. An endowed chair of Jewish Studies is named in his honor at
a Catholic Seminary in Dunwoodie, New York.
But more importantly, the Cardinal is not only a man of words, but of
action. During the early and most frightening stages of the AIDS
epidemic in the 1980s, he opened New York State's first AIDS-only unit
at St. Clare's Hospital. He remained a frequent visitor and volunteer
at this unit, spending untold hours with those in pain and suffering,
and counseling those in their last moments on this earth. He has also
fiercely defended inner-city Catholic schools from the budget axe,
keeping schools open in the face of severe fiscal restraints, giving an
opportunity to so many children who would have no alternative. Today,
not only are those schools open, they are thriving. The Archdiocese's
Catholic high school's graduation rate is 99 percent. Students from
racial and ethnic minority groups make up 52 percent of the enrollment,
and 21 percent of those students are non-Catholic.
There is so much good and noteworthy about this man that it is
difficult to encapsulate it all in one thought or one speech, but I
know that in a body that sometimes thrives on disagreement, there is
one thing we can all agree upon: Cardinal John O'Connor is a great man.
Yet, despite his high-ranking office, soldiers, priests, and
parishioners know in their hearts that the Cardinal has always been a
man of the people. As such, Cardinal O'Connor, through his beliefs,
words, and actions, epitomized the true meaning of life, liberty and
the pursuit
[[Page H382]]
of happiness, and that is why he deserves the Congressional Gold Medal,
and that is why I am honored to have introduced this resolution. I urge
my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Alabama (Mr. Bachus).
Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from New York has mentioned
the Cardinal's important work with the inner-city Catholic schools, and
I think that that bears repeating again. The gentleman from New York
(Mr. Fossella) said that students from racial and ethnic minority
groups make up 52 percent of that enrollment. Twenty-one percent of
them are not Catholic. Amazingly, the New York Catholic high school
graduation rate is 99 percent, which is a testimony to the Cardinal.
Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. King).
Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Alabama (Mr.
Bachus) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce) for yielding me
this time. At the very outset I want to commend the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Fossella) for the truly outstanding job he has done and the
leadership he has shown in bringing this resolution before the House
today.
I am proud to join with my colleagues in supporting the awarding of
the Congressional Gold Medal to John Cardinal O'Connor. I have had the
privilege of knowing Cardinal O'Connor since he first became the
Archbishop of New York. I am proud to call him a friend. During that
time, like so many other New Yorkers, Catholic and un-Catholic alike, I
have witnessed the tremendous leadership he has shown, the willingness
he has shown to stand up for what is right, the willingness he has
shown to speak out on behalf of truths, the willingness he has shown to
defy contemporary thinking, the willingness he has shown to make the
tough decisions, to speak out on behalf of life, to speak out on behalf
of justice, the support he has shown for the inner-city schools where
there are many non-Catholic, nonwhite children being educated in the
inner cities and Catholic schools by Cardinal O'Connor. And the
gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus) has pointed out, the tremendous
results that have been brought about from that education.
In addition to that, we have seen, as the gentleman from New York
(Mr. Fossella) pointed out, we have seen the Cardinal literally working
with AIDS patients at the hospital, giving of his time and effort. We
have seen him reach out to other religions and to forge close
relationships with non-Catholics, such as former New York City mayor Ed
Koch. In fact, the two of them even coauthored a book several years
ago. It was that type of ecumenism where he was able to reach across
the religious divide and show how all religions should stand together
as one, and that friendship and relationship with Mayor Koch
personifies that.
{time} 1130
In addition, he has reached out to those in need. He has stood behind
those police officers that were wounded in the line of duty, such as
the hero police officer Steven McDonald who also has told me the
tremendous assistance that Cardinal O'Connor has given to him and his
family in their time of need.
I have seen Cardinal O'Connor firsthand work on the Irish peace
process dealing with many of the players involved, not just in this
country, but in Ireland, in Britain, on both sides, Catholic and
Protestant alike.
Mr. Speaker, he also has a tremendous sense of humor, a self-
deprecating humor, a sense of irony. He has never shown that more
during this time of his recent illness, where he is undergoing surgery
and treatment for a brain tumor; yet he has courageously come forward
and gone before his flock, gone before his congregation and his
parishioners, and showed the type of courage in time of adversity that
he showed during the good times.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join with my colleagues in voting for this
gold medal for Cardinal O'Connor. No one deserves it more than John
Cardinal O'Connor; no one personifies more what true religion should
be. Whether you are Catholic, Protestant, Jew, Muslim, whatever your
religion happens to be, you can identify with Cardinal O'Connor,
because he represents eternal truths. He also represents a commitment
to peace and justice.
Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Sweeney).
Mr. SWEENEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Alabama (Mr.
Bachus) for yielding the time.
Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to rise today in support of H.R.
3357, legislation awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to John
Cardinal O'Connor.
I want to thank my good friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Fossella) for introducing this legislation and for the great work that
he has done in this body in bringing forward this legislation so that
Congress may bestow its highest honor upon one of the most respected
spiritual leaders in my great State of New York and our Nation and in
the world.
Cardinal O'Connor celebrated his 80th birthday earlier this year amid
standing ovations throughout. And I am pleased that we offer today our
own ovation here on the floor in the form of the Congressional Gold
Medal.
Mr. Speaker, his 54 years of devoted service as an ordained priest in
the Catholic Church has shown him to be a cardinal of the people. He is
a tireless advocate of charitable giving; reaching out to the homeless,
the elderly, the sick and anyone needing a helping hand. His teaching
and deeds on behalf of those less fortunate are truly an inspiration.
We owe our thanks to John Cardinal O'Connor for over 3 decades of
service to the men and women of our military, as chaplain of the United
States Navy and Marine Corps, and then as bishop for the Armed Services
of the United States.
Mr. Speaker, we owe John Cardinal O'Connor our deepest gratitude for
a lifetime of devoted service to the Catholic Church, to our Nation and
its people.
Although illness has presented new challenges to Cardinal O'Connor's
strength and his retirement is near, I am certain we have not seen the
end of his service.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the greatest honor that this House
can extend to an individual, and there is none more deserving than John
Cardinal O'Connor.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. LaFalce. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hansen). The gentleman from New York
(Mr. LaFalce) has 11\1/2\ minutes. The gentleman from Alabama (Mr.
Bachus) has 10 minutes remaining.
Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 8 of my minutes to the gentleman
from Alabama (Mr. Bachus) for him to yield as he might deem wise.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from
Alabama (Mr. Bachus) controls 8 additional minutes.
There was no objection.
Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Smith).
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Alabama (Mr. Bachus) for yielding the time and the gentleman from New
York (Mr. LaFalce) as well.
Mr. Speaker, words are inadequate to express my deep respect,
affection, admiration and gratitude to John Cardinal O'Connor, one of
the greatest and most consistent moral and spiritual leaders of the
21st century.
Conferring the Congressional Gold Medal on this extraordinarily brave
man of conscience is a small but important token of our appreciation of
a life so selflessly and wonderfully lived.
Mr. Speaker, I want to especially thank the gentleman from New York
(Mr. Fossella) for sponsoring this legislation today and for the
Republican leadership for bringing it up on the floor as well.
Mr. Speaker, I have known Cardinal O'Connor for almost 20 years.
Although he would be embarrassed to hear it said, he is a living saint.
Cardinal O'Connor is a man after God's own heart. He loves
unconditionally and gives generously, expecting nothing in return.
He faithfully proclaims and demonstrates by his words, works, and
actions the indescribable blessings of the
[[Page H383]]
Gospel. He is a good and holy priest who radiates Christ and the
healing power of God to both believers and nonbelievers alike.
Over the years, however, there are some, who have belittled, mocked,
and rejected Cardinal O'Connor's clear Christian teaching on the
sanctity of human life and the duty of all men and women of good will,
especially politicians, to protect the vulnerable from violence. Yet,
he always treated the enemies of his message with respect and good
humor. Amazing!
Thank God, Mr. Speaker, that Cardinal O'Connor has been--and
continues to be--a lightning rod for truth and inclusion and protection
in law of all persons, regardless of race, color, creed, or condition
of dependency. Cardinal O'Connor has worked tirelessly and effectively
to bring an end to the culture of death and to usher in a culture of
life so that God's will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.
Notwithstanding the enormous responsibility of being the leader of
the New York Archdiocese, which includes 413 churches, 293 schools, and
35 full and affiliate hospitals, he has repeatedly called on all
Americans to face up to the cruelty and the inherent violence and
injustice of abortion.
Under his leadership, the Archdiocese of New York has reached out to
many mothers in need of help, shelter, medicine, or spiritual guidance.
His new order of nuns, known as the Sisters of Life, are but one
manifestation of his tangible love in action.
Mr. Speaker, in the 25th chapter of Matthew's gospel, Jesus spoke of
the last judgment and those who would be blessed in eternity. Jesus
said, and I quote, `` `. . . For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I
was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;
I was naked and you clothed Me; I was in prison and you came to me.'
Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ``Lord, when did we see You
hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You
a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see
you sick or in prison and come to You?' and the King will answer and
say to them, ``Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as You did it to the
least of these My Brethren, you did it to Me.' ''
Mr. Speaker, Cardinal O'Connor has devoted his life and inspired
countless others to do the same to help the least of our brethren, to
help the disenfranchised and the unwanted, seeing Christ himself in the
lives that nobody else wants and nobody else cares about. And he has
done it without any fanfare whatsoever, never seeking applause, never
seeking an accolade or pat on the back. He is truly a great man.
Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Hoekstra).
Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me.
Mr. Speaker, I had the privilege of first meeting Cardinal O'Connor
in New York in 1996. I was drawn to meet with Cardinal O'Connor because
of an outstanding offer that he had made. He had made an offer to the
city of New York and to the New York public schools that the Catholic
schools of New York would take the 5 percent lowest performing students
in all of New York's public schools, and that he would embrace those
students and take them into the Catholic school system, and that the
Catholic school system and he would take responsibility for educating
those children.
We had an awesome meeting in 1996, a group of four or five of us
meeting with Cardinal O'Connor and sharing his view on education. In
1997, we went back to New York, and Cardinal O'Connor testified in
front of our Committee on Education and the Workforce about his view
and his vision for educating all of the young people in New York City
and all of the young people in America.
But perhaps what had the biggest impact on me was actually going to
the Catholic schools in New York City. Having listened to what Cardinal
O'Connor had to say, and then having the opportunity to take a look at
what he was actually doing was awesome, educating kids in some of the
most difficult areas of New York City and providing them with hope and
opportunity, and providing them with a foundation to move forward.
In a diverse neighborhood, the Catholic schools were not talking
about diversity, but they were talking about what brings us together,
the saving grace of Jesus Christ. In an area of high poverty, high
unemployment, high crime, they do not teach self-esteem, they talk
about that every individual is created in the image of God.
I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this legislation to honor Cardinal
O'Connor. I only saw a small part of what he did, but was impressed
with his commitment and the results that he made to all Americans, and
the impact that he has had in the lives of many people in this country
and probably around the world.
I wish him the best as he enters his retirement, and thank him for
his years of dedication and service.
Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Reynolds).
Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Alabama for
yielding time to me.
Mr. Speaker, I certainly want to thank my colleague, the gentleman
from New York (Mr. Fossella) for introducing this legislation. It is an
honor for me to be a cosponsor.
Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Gold Medal is our highest expression
of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and
contributions to the American society. Over the past 224 years, this
honor has been reserved for those of uncommon patriotism, leadership,
and compassion, whose contributions to our history and culture have
been both significant and enduring.
Cardinal John O'Connor, spiritual leader of the archdiocese of New
York, is the type of person for whom the Congressional Gold Medal was
created. Cardinal O'Connor is widely known for his strength of
character, courage of conviction, and humility, and humor. His
contributions to our society and culture stretch far beyond the
community of the Catholic Church. Whether strengthening the ties among
those of all faiths, or personally providing comfort to those afflicted
with AIDS or attending to the poor, Cardinal O'Connor has spent a
lifetime leading by example, an example that we would all do well to
follow.
While perhaps best known as New York's Cardinal, his contributions
and achievements can be felt all across America. He signed up for
military chaplaincy during the Korean War, served in the Navy and
Marine Corps, was Chaplain of the United States Naval Academy, and rose
to the rank of Navy Chief of Chaplains.
Cardinal O'Connor's lifetime of leading and inspiring us to be better
people and to serve our fellow man with devotion and compassion has
earned him this unique distinction. I am proud and honored to join in
nominating Cardinal John O'Connor for the Congressional Gold Medal.
Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood).
Mr. SHERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to
me.
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to rise today as an original cosponsor
of H.R. 3557 and in support of awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to
John Cardinal O'Connor, Archbishop of New York. I hope that all my
colleagues will join with us in recognizing Cardinal O'Connor's
devotion to faith, service, and country.
The Diocese of Scranton, which I am proud to represent, was once home
to Cardinal O'Connor. I remember how thrilled I was when in 1983 he
became the Bishop of Scranton, and what mixed emotions the people of
the diocese had when he was selected to become the Archbishop of New
York. We hated to lose a leader that was doing so much for our area. He
had the great respect and genuine affection of everyone of all faiths
in northeastern and north central Pennsylvania.
Cardinal O'Connor is quoted as saying that he has no intention of
fading into the woodwork. We are all very glad to hear that. I am
confident that he will continue his ministry of personal compassion to
those whose quiet cries are often lost in the din: the unborn, the
handicapped, the sick, and the working poor.
One month ago today Cardinal O'Connor turned 80. I say to His
Eminence, I wish him belated happy birthday, and I thank him for his
many years of selfless service to his Nation and his faith.
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I would like to thank my colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Fossella), for his leadership in bringing this bill before the House
today to honor this great leader, this great American, John Cardinal
O'Connor.
{time} 1145
Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, Cardinal O'Connor's prayers, his sacrifices, and his
personal chastity are a model of how to achieve personal fulfillment
and happiness for all of us. As the gentleman from New York (Mr.
LaFalce) has said, the Pope has praised Cardinal O'Connor as a strong
shepherd of men. In fact, Cardinal O'Connor has been called a spokesman
for the Pope in the United States.
Cardinal O'Connor led the negotiations to restore relations between
the Vatican and Israel, and he has proclaimed the Pope's message
against a culture of death. But more than a spokesman, he has been a
living witness to the civilization of love, which is at the heart of
the Pope's message for the new millennium.
Among those that he has shown particular love and sacrifice for are
the disabled and their caregivers; for victims of racism, whether from
race or religion; the elderly; innercity youth; AIDS victims; the
unborn; military personnel; and those with mental illness and
alcoholism.
To close, Mr. Speaker, I will simply say this, today, by honoring
Cardinal O'Connor we honor all those who put their faith into action
each and every day to build a new civilization of love, to treat all
men and women of each race and culture with the respect and dignity
that is their right as persons made in the image and likeness of God.
Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman
from New York (Mr. Fossella), the sponsor of this bill, and I commend
him and the New York delegation.
Mr. FOSSELLA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Alabama (Mr.
Bachus) for yielding me this time. I want to thank him again for his
leadership and the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) and especially
Speaker Hastert, Majority Leader Armey, and all of my colleagues, and
the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaFalce), the ranking member, for
their support of this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, we have heard it all. Cardinal O'Connor is a tremendous
man, and if we could all be like him, what a wonderful world this could
be.
In just a few weeks, Mr. Speaker, there is a spectacle that takes
place in New York City called the Saint Patrick's Day Parade, which
people come from all over the world to witness. One of the highlights
of that parade is just passing by Saint Patrick's Cathedral and the
Cardinal will be there with his smile and greeting the parade goers and
wishing us all well. I look forward to that day.
I look forward to the House passing this, as well as the other body,
in honoring a true great American.
Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, one might think that Cardinal O'Connor had
no critics in life. He had many critics, but underlying all of that
criticism, in my judgment, was his innate belief in what he and others
have called a consistent life ethic.
Senator Hubert Humphrey, a great liberal, a great Democrat, once said
that the moral test of government and the moral test of individuals is
how they treat those in the dawn of life, our children; how they treat
those in the shadows of life, the disadvantaged, our handicapped; and
how they treat those in the twilight of life, our seniors, especially
those dying.
From the very beginning of life to the very cessation of life,
Cardinal O'Connor was consistent in his belief that all deserved
justice under the law and as much human love as mankind was capable of.
For that, we honor him today.
Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 3557. At
the same time, I rise in total support of, and with complete respect
for, the work of Cardinal O'Connor. Cardinal O'Connor is a true hero as
he labors tirelessly on behalf of the most needy and vulnerable in our
society; promotes racial and religious harmony; advocates the best
education for all children regardless of race, religion, or financial
status; ministers to the poor, sick, and disabled; all the while
standing up for that which he believes even in the face of hostility.
I must, however, oppose the Gold Medal for Cardinal O'Connor because
appropriating $30,000 of taxpayer money is neither constitutional nor,
in the spirit of Cardinal O'Connor who dedicates his life to voluntary
and charitable work, particularly humanitarian.
Because of my continuing and uncompromising opposition to
appropriations not authorized within the enumerated powers of the
Constitution, several of my colleagues felt compelled to personally
challenge me as to whether, on this issue, I would maintain my resolve
and commitment to the Constitution--a Constitution, which only last
year, each Member of Congress, swore to uphold. In each of these
instances, I offered to do a little more than uphold my constitutional
oath.
In fact, as a means of demonstrating my personal regard and
enthusiasm for the work of Cardinal O'Connor, I invited each of these
colleagues to match my private, personal contribution of $100 which, if
accepted by the 435 Members of the House of Representatives, would more
than satisfy the $30,000 cost necessary to mint and award a gold medal
to the well-deserving Cardinal O'Connor. To me, it seemed a
particularly good opportunity to demonstrate one's genuine convictions
by spending one's own money rather than that of the taxpayers who
remain free to contribute, at their own discretion, to the work of
Cardinal O'Connor as they have consistently done in the past. For the
record, not a single Representative who solicited my support for
spending taxpayer's money, was willing to contribute their own money to
demonstrate the courage of their so-called convictions and generosity.
It is, of course, very easy to be generous with other people's money.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join in supporting this
legislation which will grant long overdue recognition to an outstanding
American, one who I am especially honored to call a friend.
This legislation authorizes the President to present, on behalf of
the Congress, to His Eminence, Cardinal John O'Connor of New York a
gold medal in recognition of his accomplishments as one of our
outstanding religious leaders. The medal pays tribute to Cardinal
O'Connor for his roles as a priest, as a chaplain, and as a
humanitarian.
For most of our colleagues in this chamber, John Cardinal O'Connor is
a living legend. His dedication to God and his religion is well known
throughout our nation.
However, for those of us who have the honor of representing Districts
within the New York Archdiocese, Cardinal O'Connor is more than a
legend. He is a living personification of love for one another, for
peace, and for living up to the ideals of our Judeo-Christian heritage.
In my Congressional District, Cardinal O'Connor is ubiquitous. He is
always on hand for school graduations, for cornerstone layings, and for
religious services. Cardinal O'Connor personifies the trait of looking
to the future, rather than the past, and his message is consistently a
message of hope.
Cardinal O'Connor is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is
there that he entered the priesthood in 1945. The Cardinal studied at a
number of institutions of higher education, and holds advanced degrees
in Ethics, Clinical Psychology, and Political Theory.
Cardinal O'Connor served as a chaplain with both the Navy and the
Marine Corps for a total of 27 years. After leaving military service,
His Holiness Pope John Paul II ordained him a Bishop for the Military
in 1979. After serving as Bishop of Scranton, PA, he was promoted
Archbishop of New York in 1984. He was raised to the position of
Cardinal a year later.
The motto on Cardinal O'Connor's personal coat of arms summarizes the
philosophy of this outstanding leader: ``There can be no love without
justice.''
Mr. Speaker, His Eminence, Cardinal O'Connor is known for promoting
racial and religious harmony, and for advocating the best education
possible for all children regardless of race, religion, or financial
status. No one in America should forget that Cardinal O'Connor welcomed
AIDS patients into the Catholic hospitals of New York back at a time
when other institutions of medicine were turning them away. In New
York, His Eminence is well known for ministering to the sick and
disabled, and for being a friend to the poor.
It is regrettable that in this day and age Cardinal O'Connor has been
harassed by elements of our society who feel comfortable attacking
those institutions which continue to uphold our
[[Page H385]]
ancient moral standards. The reaction of His Eminence to this misplaced
hostility has earned him the respect and awe of all of us.
Mr. Speaker, this medal will be funded by the sale of authentic
bronze duplicates of the medal which will be placed on sale by the U.S.
Mint. I am honored to associate myself with this legislation
initiative, and to congratulate Cardinal O'Connor and to wish him good
health and happiness upon his anticipated retirement.
Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a bill to award a
Congressional gold medal to Cardinal John O'Connor. We are gathering
here today to honor a man who has been described as being the spine of
the Catholic community throughout the United States. Cardinal John
O'Connor has held the most influential post in the U.S. Catholic Church
and has led the congregation of St. Patrick's Cathedral since 1984 with
unwavering faith and a sense of leading a good Catholic life devoted to
service.
His life of service formally began when he was ordained as a Roman
Catholic priest in 1945. His service continued to not only include the
Church and to God but also to his country as he served in the Chaplain
Corps of the U.S. Navy, including assignments in Okinawa and Vietnam.
Cardinal O'Connor was able to revitalize the bishops' sense of
urgency about the premier civil right issues of our time. He has indeed
left an imprint on New York City and Catholics nationwide as a
``prophetic voice'' which has constantly challenged people's views--
regardless of how upsetting they might be, even to politicians.
The Cardinal has been an icon for and has diligently served the
American Catholic community particularly due to his strong bond with
Pope John Paul II. He consistently served to participate in and better
the Catholic school system and gave children the opportunity to be
taught in the traditional Catholic system.
The Cardinal also sought to strengthen the ties between Catholics and
Jews. Once, in Jerusalem he went so far as to apologize for the
Church's history of anti-Semitism and was a chief advocate in
persuading the Vatican to recognize Israel.
Today, we as a nation gather to celebrate the work Cardinal O'Connor
has devoted his life to: charity, service to our community, acceptance
of others and living a good life in the eyes of God. We would be lucky
to be able to follow his example as selflessly as he has led his life.
Cardinal O'Connor has left a deep impression on America and he will
continue to inspire to follow in his footsteps.
Mr. LAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to help celebrate His Eminence
John Cardinal O'Connor. For all of his accomplishments as a priest, a
chaplain, and a humanitarian, there can be no way to fully honor him.
The Congressional Medal of Honor--the highest honor Congress can
bestow--is simply a beginning. While we will do our best in Congress to
honor him, it is clear that the true honor is ours for having the
privilege of learning from him.
As New York's archbishop since 1984, Cardinal O'Connor has seen the
Catholic population of the archdiocese rise from 1.8 million when he
arrived to the 2.3 million it is today. In a time where many sense a
loss of spirituality across America, this is a testament to the wonder
and grace of Cardinal O'Connor. That he was able to reach out and touch
the souls of so many people, help them, guide them--it is inspiring.
We would all do well to follow the examples of what he has done for
the people of New York and the American people. Cardinal O'Connor is an
outspoken critic of racism. In the face of severe budget challenges,
Cardinal O'Connor has protected and preserved inner-city Catholic
schools. The Catholic High School's graduation rate is 99 percent. And
his commitment to helping the sick and people with disabilities has
been unwavering.
It is our responsibility to honor him outside of this House, and
beyond just today. We can do that by learning from his grace and
practicing what he has taught us.
Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hansen). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Bachus) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3557.
The question was taken.
Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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