[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 75 (Saturday, May 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JACK MURTAUGH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS M. BARRETT

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 25, 2001

  Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, May 30th, 2001 
family, friends, community leaders and well-wishers will gather to 
congratulate Mr. Jack Murtaugh on his retirement from the Interfaith 
Conference of Greater Milwaukee, the last 12 as its executive director.
  I have known Jack for many years, and have always admired his vision 
to unite persons of all faiths with a common agenda of social justice. 
Together with other community and religious leaders in the greater 
Milwaukee area, Jack has worked to move our community from awareness of 
issues such as poverty and discrimination to a platform of action.
  Jack's service to Milwaukee and Wisconsin dates back to the 1960s 
when he founded the Center for Community Concerns and served as its 
executive director in Racine in 1968. In the '70s he was appointed to 
then-Governor Patrick Lucey's Task Force on Offender Rehabilitation and 
the Task Force on the Metropolitan Problem. Jack's work and his 
potential were recognized in 1971 when he was named one of ``Five 
Outstanding Young Men in Wisconsin'' by the Wisconsin Jaycees.
  In an effort to seek global solutions to human rights issues, Jack 
took a five-month sabbatical traveling alone throughout Africa, 
including South Africa and Kenya, and South America. He made important 
connections with leaders in each country and village he visited and 
worked with them to increase understanding and dialogue among people of 
different faiths from diverse races and cultures.
  Jack brought those lessons back to the states. In 1982, he joined the 
staff of the Interfaith Conference as program Director in 1982, and was 
appointed vicar for human concerns for the Milwaukee Archdiocese in 
1987. In 1989, Jack was named Executive Director for Interfaith, where 
he has expanded the presence of the Conference in the Milwaukee 
community, strengthened relationships internally and externally, and 
re-affirmed the dedication of the Conference for staff and its many 
volunteers.
  The greater Milwaukee community will acknowledge Jack's contributions 
by honoring him with the 2001 Social Justice Award from the Archdiocese 
of Milwaukee (5/01), and the 2001 Annual Philip E. Lerman Racial 
Justice Award from the YMCA (6/01).
  Jack and his wife Lucia will continue to live in Milwaukee, and will 
continue to address issues of social and economic justice in defense of 
human dignity. I rise to commend Jack Murtaugh for his commitment to 
justice for all and for years of work to create compassionate care for 
those in need.




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