[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 21 (Wednesday, March 1, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1004-S1005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    AWARDING JOHN CARDINAL O'CONNOR THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, it is with great honor that I rise today 
to thank my distinguished Senate colleagues for their support, help, 
consideration, and, hopefully, passage of S. 2076, legislation which 
will bestow upon John Cardinal O'Connor the Congressional Medal of 
Honor.
  I, along with Senators Moynihan, Specter, and Santorum, introduced 
this bill last week. We believe now is the perfect time for Congress to 
publicly thank His Eminence for his 50 years of service to America, the 
Catholic Church, and for his numerous contributions as an ambassador of 
peace, freedom, and humanitarianism around the world.
  Since being ordained 54 years ago, John Cardinal O'Connor has humbly 
captured the hearts of millions with a message of caring and compassion 
for all people. He has dutifully served the Church in Philadelphia, the 
Diocese of Scranton, and now from the steps of the treasured St. 
Patrick's Cathedral serves as the spiritual guiding force for the 10-
county New York Archdiocese and its more than 2.3 million Catholic 
members.
  He is loved in New York and by Catholics across the country. He has 
touched the hearts of millions whose spiritual life is richer from the 
words and deeds of our cardinal.
  Since being named by the Pope as successor to the late Cardinal 
Terence Cook in 1984, Cardinal O'Connor has sought to reinforce the 
traditional teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church while 
putting a human face on the problems faced not only by Catholics but 
all New Yorkers.
  He has advocated for an increase in the minimum wage. He has 
advocated for farm workers. He has advocated for working people 
throughout New York and throughout the world.
  He has worked hard to improve relationships between Catholics and 
Jews, knowing that is so important to the future of the area he 
represents and to all Americans.
  He has advocated relentlessly for fairness and justice. And even 
while reaffirming the Church's teachings on homosexuality, he set up 
AIDS clinics and volunteered anonymously in them.
  I have not always agreed with Cardinal O'Connor. For example, he is a 
strong, vocal, and impassioned voice in opposition to abortion. I have 
respectfully disagreed with his position. But in some instances you 
earn an even greater respect for someone by the way they disagree with 
you, how they fight for their beliefs: With vigor, passion, and 
conviction, but also with humility and grace.
  He is a man of immense conviction. He has been unyielding in his 
commitment to reaffirm the priorities of the Church and his faith.
  I am left with nothing but respect and admiration for the way in 
which Cardinal O'Connor has advocated on behalf of his beliefs.
  John Cardinal O'Connor's life of spiritual service began decades ago. 
He had 20-plus years of distinguished service in the Armed Forces. He 
heeded our Nation's call in 1952, joining the ranks of the military 
chaplaincy during the Korean war, and provided spiritual leadership for 
members of the Navy and Marine Corps during Vietnam. His career 
continued on as chaplain to the United States Naval Academy.
  Eventually he rose with distinction to become Navy chief chaplain. He 
served in that capacity until 1979, upon which he retired from military 
service with the distinguished rank of rear admiral. An international 
ambassador for humanity, Cardinal O'Connor has traveled the world 
over--Israel, Jordan, Haiti, Bosnia, and Russia--and he also 
accompanied Pope John Paul II on his visit to Cuba.
  He has called on governments to work for social development, provide 
international peace, and implored governments to provide their citizens 
with the freedom and ability to exercise their religious beliefs.
  His work in volatile 1980s Central America helped clear the way for 
clergy members to be allowed to visit political prisoners and also 
helped end

[[Page S1005]]

the expulsion of foreign missionaries. He has, with great resolve, 
worked to strengthen the human spirit whenever war, oppression, and 
poverty have threatened to weaken it, as a servant of the Roman 
Catholic Church and a compassionate American citizen.
  Now the cardinal is ailing. We all pray and wish for his recovery. 
But there is no time more appropriate than now for the Congressional 
Gold Medal to be bestowed upon Cardinal O'Connor. It is not often that 
this gold medal is issued. But given the cardinal's service, given the 
cardinal's ability to reach out to so many different kinds of people, 
no one is more deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal. The medal is 
an expression of public gratitude reserved exclusively for those who 
have distinguished themselves through their achievements and 
contributions to our great Nation. From his spiritual guidance to the 
members of the Armed Forces 50 years ago to his commitment to justice 
and holiness as head of the archdiocese in New York today, John 
Cardinal O'Connor has earned this rare and distinguished congressional 
honor.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor and suggest the absence of quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. COVERDELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Hagel). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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