[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 106 (Thursday, July 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 592

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 26, 2001

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the Knights of Columbus 
Council 592 in Belleville, Illinois.
  The Knights of Columbus organization was founded in 1882 by a 29-
year-old parish priest, Father Michael J. McGivney, in the basement of 
St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut. Today, more than a century 
later, the Knights of Columbus has become the largest lay organization 
of the Catholic Church. The order has been called ``the strong right 
arm of the church'' and has been praised by popes, presidents, and 
other world leaders, for support of the Church, programs of 
evangelization and Catholic education, civic involvement and aid to 
those in need. As recently as 1992, Mother Theresa of Calcutta praised 
the Knights in a speech on the occasion of her reception of the first 
Knights of Columbus Gaudium et Spes Award.
  Thanks to the inspired work of Father McGivney, as well as the 
millions of other Knights over the past century--the Knights of 
Columbus now stands at its pinnacle of membership, benefits, and 
service. Currently there are over 1.6 million Knights of Columbus--more 
than ever before in the order's history. Together, with their families, 
the Knights are over 6 million strong. They have grown to more than 
12,000 Councils in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto 
Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Panama, the Virgin Islands, 
Guatemala, Guam, and Saipan.
  One of the largest Knights of Columbus Councils in Illinois and one 
of the most active in the nation is observing its 100th Anniversary. 
Council 592, which has grown from 35 members to more than 900 today has 
a long history of service. Council 592 started in the old Lovingston 
Building in East St. Louis and served as its first headquarters. As 
their membership increased, the Council moved to the old Odd Fellows 
building in East St. Louis.
  Council 592 has always played an important role in the community. Its 
civic, fraternal, and charitable projects were numerous. One such event 
that Council 592 started was their annual picnic. Started in 1922, the 
picnic was the forerunner of the Knights of Columbus picnics now held 
across the United States.
  Inspired by the results of their activities, the Council's members 
started an extensive building program. The new Knights of Columbus 
building was opened in 1925 at a cost of a half a million dollars. The 
building, a brick structure of combined modern and Gothic architecture, 
was one of the most attractive buildings in East St. Louis and one of 
the finest Knights of Columbus buildings in the country. This new 
building served as the scene of the city's many dances, wedding 
receptions, meetings and other functions. It had a swimming pool, 
bowling alley, gymnasium, cafeteria, meeting hall, and a 41 person 
bachelor quarters. In the late 1960's the Council decided to move its 
operations to Belleville, Illinois on the edge of East St. Louis on 
Lebanon Road. The new facility opened in 1969.
  Council 592's first, second, and third degree teams have repeatedly 
been acknowledged as the best in the Midwest. The Council's members 
have also been instrumental in starting nearly 20 other Knights of 
Columbus Councils in the area since 1901. A large number of Council 
members served in World War I and II as well as the Korean and Vietnam 
conflicts. Many members remain part of our armed forces today.
  Charity remains a part of Council's 592's efforts. Their main 
charitable event is the annual Tootsie Roll day with the proceeds going 
to charitable organizations. The Council continues to hold numerous 
activities during the year for families of members. They work with the 
Ainad Shrine Bonds for Braces as well as the Crippled Children's 
Hospital.
  The Knights of Columbus are Catholic gentlemen committed to the 
exemplification of charity, unity, fraternity, patriotism, and defense 
of the priesthood. The Order is consecrated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. 
They are unequivocal in their loyalty to the Pope, the Vicar of Christ 
on Earth. It is firmly committed to the protection of human life, from 
conception to natural death, and to the preservation and defense of the 
family. It was on these bedrock principles that the Order was founded 
over a century ago and remains true to them today.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 100th 
Anniversary of the Knights of Columbus Council 592 and to honor its 
members both past, present, and future.

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